Victoria Hospice bereavement services for grieving family members and friends of registered patients include:

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Victoria Hospice Bereavement Support Groups

Because not everyone’s grief is the same, Victoria Hospice offers a variety of bereavement support groups. Some groups run for a fixed number of weeks, while others use a drop-in format. Some groups are facilitated by counsellors, others by volunteers, and still others by both.

 While there is no charge for many of our groups, fees are charged for some groups in order to recover costs. A limited number of bursaries are available.

 To register or obtain more information on any of our bereavement support groups, please call: (250) 370-8868 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday to Friday

Victoria Hospice Bereavement Support Groups include:

Walking Groups: to provide an opportunity to meet and talk with other bereaved people; to get out and have a little exercise; to encourage the group to become self-directing and continue to meet for walks. Weekly sessions are an easy walk, rain or shine, in Victoria, Colwood or Central Saanich, but on fairly level ground. A one-hour walk is followed by a social time, which includes refreshments. No fees are charged.

Young Widows Group:   to support women who are still working and/or raising a family while grieving the death of a spouse; to share information; to share common experiences. Sessions include discussion, experiential activities, and attention to self-care. The focus of the group is adapted to the needs and desires of the participants. Register in advance; monthly drop-in; by donation.

Living with Grief Group:  to provide information about the grief process; to share experiences; to alleviate the feeling of isolation. These sessions form a healing journey that includes information giving, exercises and activities. Offered according to demand; usually consists of seven  weekly sessions. Fee: $125 per participant (some bursaries available).

Daughters Group: to support women who are coping with the death of their mothers and to learn more about the grieving process. Each session explores relevant topics through personal sharing, information-giving and creative visual expression. Offered according to demand; usually consists of seven weekly sessions. Fee: $125 per participant (some bursaries available).

Journal Group:  to have an opportunity to learn and practice journal writing as a tool for healing, and to guide grieving people in strategies and exercises in journalling. A variety of topics on grief and healing are covered. Each session involves teaching, writing, and sharing with others. Suggestions are given for journalling between sessions. (Offered according to demand; usually consists of seven weekly sessions. Fee: $125 per participant (some bursaries available).

Wednesday Drop-in Group:  to provide a safe, supportive place in which bereaved people can share their grief; to give information about grief; to introduce other Victoria Hospice bereavement services. The purpose and guidelines of the group are introduced each week. Members are invited to speak as they wish to do so. The group ends with a reading and handout. Members may attend the group regularly or periodically, for as many sessions as they wish. Held every Wednesday year round except on statutory holidays. By donation.

Gardening Group:   a horticultural therapist and a bereavement volunteer facilitate this group, which provides an opportunity for bereaved people to spend time together in each other's garden spaces. Sessions include practical and creative information about gardening, as well as time for participants to support one another as they connect with the healing elements of the natural world. Offered according to demand; usually consists of seven weekly sessions. Fee: $100 per participant (some bursaries available).

Saturday Night Social Group:  to provide social connections and activities for bereaved people, particularly spouses; to introduce the other activities of the group. Most sessions include socializing, cards and game playing. The Saturday Night host a newcomers evening on the second Saturday of each month to provide information about the group’s activities.  (Held every Saturday evening year round, $1 for coffee).

 If you are grieving the death of a family member or friend and would like more information about Bereavement Services at Victoria Hospice, please call us:

(250) 370-8868: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday to Friday

Links to other grief and bereavement websites:

BC Bereavement Foundation
BC Council for Families
Bereaved Families of Ontario
Griefworks BC
Compassionate Friends (or s_lawrence@shaw.ca, or Sue at (250) 478-9270)
Growthhouse
Griefnet
Bereavement Self Help                                           Hospice Foundation of America                                 Manual Dexterity Bereavement Journal Workbook