The death of someone we love is the greatest loss any of us is likely to endure. However, virtually all of us will experience that grief in our own way. Your experience might include shock, denial, anger, guilt, sorrow, longing—even physical illness. It will almost certainly include emotional pain.
These feelings might overwhelm you immediately, or surface after weeks, months, or years. What you feel and need one day may be very different from the day before. And what you experience may be very different from the experience of your family and friends.
It's Normal, Even Healthy
As you go through this process, it is important to remember that grieving is a normal, even helpful human experience. It is a natural part of the process of saying “goodbye.”
One of our most important roles with our clients is to help them say “goodbye” in meaningful and profound way—then to provide you with tools that will help you cope with the normal but difficult process of grieving. One of these tools is talking—to other people who are experiencing grief, and to counselors who can advise you on ways to cope with it.
Recommended Support Groups
We have partnered with Sutter VNA and Hospice, which offers excellent group support programs throughout the Bay Region for those grieving the loss of a family member or friend. These groups help individuals recognize the various aspects of grief, and offer ways to cope with and work toward acceptance of death. Meetings are conducted in an environment that is safe, supportive and empathetic. For information and/or to register for a group please call any of the following numbers and ask for “bereavement support”:
- West Bay Support Groups—650-685-2821
- East Bay Support Groups (Oakland, Hayward)—510-450-8596
- Sacramento & Roseville Support Groups—916-797-7850
A sliding scale donation may be requested ($5-25 per session), although no one will be turned away due to inability to pay. Sutter VNA and Hospice Bereavement Programs are funded by community support. Click on link for additional information.
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