Holiday Support Program

The Service of Remembrance

Held annually at the end of November or early December, a non-denominational service at a local church.  This serves as a gathering place for the families we have served in our community that have lost a loved one.  This program addresses feelings caused by the up-coming holidays, and how to handle them.  “The Service of Remembrance” is a service we provide to our families for grief support.

Websites

Speaking to Children About Death

• hospicenet.org/html/talking.html
• kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/death.html

Parent Passing Away

• hospicenet.org/html/parent.html
• livestrong.com/article/13851-death-of-a-parent/

Suicide Support

• health.harvard.edu/press_releases/tips-to-help-survivors-cope-with-suicide-loss
• survivorsofsuicide.com/help_heal.shtml
• afsp.org

General Grief

• helpguide.org/mental/grief_loss.htm
• aarp.org/relationships/grief-loss/

Book Recommendations

• Healing After Loss by Martha Whitmore Hickman Daily meditations for working through grief.
• Widow to Widow by Genevieve Davis Ginsburg, M.S. Thoughtful, practical ideas for rebuilding your life.

Support Groups

• Robert Wood Johnson Universtiy Hospital at Hamilton, rwjhamilton.org ; below are two support groups the hospital offers.

Bereavement Support Group Eight-week support group runs throughout the year. Facilitated by a bereavement specialist. Ted Taylor, 609.631.6980.

Grief and Loss Group for Older AdultsIf you’ve lost a loved one or been separated from your support system, you can find comfort and begin to cope better by interacting with others. Meets Thursdays; 1 to 2 p.m. Call 609.584.5900 for more information.

• Helping Other People Evolve (H.O.P.E.) assists recently widowed persons of all ages. H.O.P.E. meets weekly, in four 10 week sessions throughout the year. Grief takes NO holidays.  hopesnj.org
• Tabernacle Holy Eucharist Church, (609)268-2885;  A bereavement support group meets regularly at this church in Medford Lakes, NJ.