Support Following a Death

Victoria Hospice’s commitment to care continues through bereavement services offered to family members and friends throughout the first year following a death.

Counsellors working in Victoria Hospice Bereavement Services are trained and experienced in bereavement counselling with individuals, families, youth, children and groups. Professional counselling services are available on a limited basis and may include face-to-face sessions, support groups or telephone support. Informational publications about grief and loss and referrals to other helpful resources are also available.

Services are provided free of charge with the exception of some group counselling as noted below.

Spiritual Care services are also available to families and friends following a death.

Contact Victoria Hospice Bereavement Services by calling 250-370-8868 or by email.

Click here for helpful brochures.

Click here for a list of additional resources.

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 most of our groups, fees are charged for some groups in order to recover costs. A limited number of bursaries are available.

Registration & Further Information

Call 250-370-8868, 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Monday to Friday, or email Victoria Hospice Bereavement Services.

Victoria Hospice Bereavement Support Groups include:

• Walking Group
• Young & Mid-life Widows' Group
• Senior Widows' Group
• One-Day Retreat
• Daughters' Group
• Touchstones Children’s Drop-In Group
• Parents' Group
• Journal Group
• Mindfulness Walking Group
• Weekly Drop-in Groups
• Saturday Night Social Group

Walking Group

An opportunity to meet and talk informally with other bereaved people and supportive volunteers. Volunteers provide information about grief and available resources, and help the group to become self-directing, if desired. Nine weekly Saturday sessions include an easy walk, rain or shine, but on fairly level ground. A one-hour walk is followed by a social time, which includes refreshments. No fees are charged.

Young & Mid-life Widows' Group

For women under the age of 65 who feel they are prematurely dealing with issues related to living without their partners.  Sessions include time for discussion and sharing of experiences. A counsellor and volunteer provide information about grief, including emotional and practical issues specific to spousal bereavement. Fee: $150

Senior Widows’ Group

For women over the age of 65 who are dealing with issues related to living without their partners later in life. A counsellor and volunteer provide information about grief, including emotional and practical issues specific to spousal bereavement. Fee: $150

One-Day Retreat

Through individual and group activities, participants will be offered a creative opportunity to gain insight into their grief and healing process and to explore resilience as a tool for self care. Offered according to demand. Fee: $100 per participant (some bursaries available).

Daughters' Group

For women who are coping with the death of their mothers. Each session explores relevant topics about this grieving process through personal sharing, information-giving and creative visual expression. Offered according to demand; usually consists of seven weekly sessions. Fee: $150 per participant (some bursaries available).

Touchstones Children’s Drop-In Group

A safe and supportive environment for bereaved children aged 5-12 years to come together to share feelings, learn and have fun. Eight consecutive Saturday mornings. No fees are charged.

Please click here to see a brochure about the Touchstones group.

Parents’ Group

For parents or caregivers of bereaved children or teens. Information, education and practical skills are offered on how to support child and teen grief by helping them to develop resiliency. Four consecutive Saturday mornings. No fee is charged and childcare is available upon request.
Please click here to see a brochure about the Parents’ Group.

Journal Group

Learn and practice journal writing as a tool for healing, and to guide grieving people in strategies and exercises in journaling. A variety of topics on grief and healing are covered. Each session involves teaching, writing, and sharing with others. Suggestions are given for journaling between sessions. Offered according to demand; usually consists of seven weekly sessions. Fee: $150 per participant (some bursaries available).]

Mindfulness Walking Group

An opportunity to open to the possibilities available in the present moment by practising Mindful Walking in a quiet setting, where participants can explore how they may be supported by the refreshing elements of nature. Each session begins with silent walking and ends with time for reflection, sharing and a snack. Offered twice each year during the summer months. Facilitated by a volunteer. No fee.

Weekly Drop-in Groups

Victoria:  Wednesdays, noon to 1:30 pm

West Shore:  Thursdays, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

A safe, supportive place in which bereaved people can listen and share their experiences as they wish, while learning about grief and other Victoria Hospice bereavement services. The purpose and guidelines are introduced each week. Members may attend  regularly or periodically. Held every week year round, except on statutory holidays. By donation.

Saturday Night Social Group

For bereaved people, particularly spouses, who want to form new social connections. Most sessions include socializing, cards and game playing. A newsletter highlights other activities available to group members. The Saturday Night group hosts a newcomers evening on the second Saturday of each month to provide information about the group’s activities. Held every Saturday evening year round. $2 for coffee.