Special opportunities for rituals and remembrances included the Mother’s Day Memorial on May 9 and the Father’s Day Memorial on June 13. Both events offered safe spaces for those grieving a parent or parent-figure to share memories and find comfort in community. On August 21, Fedorkew, alongside Jennifer Dacre and Kaylee Lovesy, co-facilitated the Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day Memorial, offering a time of reflection for those grieving the loss of a beloved pet or caring for a dying animal. The day included storytelling, expressive arts, and community support.

“Grief touches each of us in different ways, but it is something no one should have to carry alone,” said Fedorkew. “These programs create spaces where people can honour their stories, find comfort, and remember that community can hold us through the hardest seasons.”

Educational opportunities have included advance care planning workshops on July 15 and 17, and September 5 and 8, covering end-of-life care planning, temporary substitute decision makers, representation agreements, and advance directives. On June 19, Planning with Purpose: A Conversation on Death, Dignity and Diverse Traditions was presented in partnership with Tammy Miller of Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, helping participants explore funeral planning, cultural traditions, and essential considerations before and after a death. In September, Planning Ahead: An Introduction to Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements, presented by Aatif Nanji of Simpson Notaries, provided practical guidance on preparing for the future.

New wellness and connection programs were also introduced. Gentle Mat Yoga, led by Emmy Kerr, was offered once weekly outdoors through August, blending movement and mindfulness as a way to nurture body and spirit in grief. Fedorkew also launched Craft and Chat, held the second Friday of every month, creating a welcoming space for participants to connect and process grief through creativity.

Throughout the year Chilliwack Hospice Society hosts a variety of in-person and virtual educational workshops and presentations for the community. Topics may include advance care planning, financial and legal matters, self-care and wellness. Educational workshops are provided for free thanks to the generosity of individual donors and businesses in our community.

First Step Grief Support Group begins January 30 and meets weekly for eight weeks. The group is best suited for those who have experienced the death of a loved one in the past six months or year; offering mutual support and socialization for bereaved people wanting the share the journey into change and renewal. It is well-established that grief has no timeline. As such, some First Step group members may choose to begin participating in the weeks following the death of their loved one. In turn, others may find themselves open to the benefits of participating in a grief support group years later and are welcome to do so.

A Traumatic Loss Support Group will continue to meet once monthly on a drop-in basis. The content of this group’s meetings is specifically developed for those who have experienced the death of a loved one due to homicide, suicide, drug poisoning, workplace accident, or sudden illness. The next drop-in session for traumatic loss support will be held February 1.

Chilliwack Hospice Society recognizes that significant loss isn’t limited to human connections. Beginning February 14, a supportive space will be created for those grieving the death of a beloved pet. The group will meet once weekly for four weeks and include topics such as normalizing grief, making room to grieve, self-care, the importance of rituals, and memorializing your pet.

In addition to grief support groups, staff and volunteers offer many opportunities for one-to-one support and complementary therapies to assist members of the community through the grieving process. Informal connections with other bereaved individuals and mutual support can be found in Relaxation Program, Supportive Walking Group, and Gentle Chair Yoga sessions.

As part of the organization’s community outreach and education programs, a matinée series of ‘Movies That Move You’ will be shown once monthly, starting with Manchester By The Sea on January 30. Each movie has been selected for its themes of grief and loss and are suitable for adults’ viewing and discussion. Advance Care Planning workshops will continue in 2024 with the next two-part session starting March 21. The writing prompts, worksheets, and group discussion help individuals or their parents develop an Advance Care Plan, including indicating one’s beliefs, values, and wishes, Temporary Substitute Decision Maker, Representation Agreement, and Advance Directive.

If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a loved one right now, call Chilliwack Hospice Society at (604) 795-4660 or visit www.chilliwackhospice.org to learn more about the one-to-one support, groups and workshops that are currently being offered. Donations are always gratefully accepted at the Thrifty Boutique and online at www.chilliwackhospice.org/donate

For more information, news, and events, join our email newsletter list or follow @ChilliwackHospice on Facebook and Instagram.

Recognizing this significant day gives us an opportunity to share and normalize talking about grief, and to highlight resources that are available to those coping with loss. Grief is the natural and normal response to loss, however grief is often misunderstood. It has no timeline, and it shows up differently for each person. Grief isn’t limited to the loss of a person; we can all experience grief following the loss of a pet, a relationship, or our health and mobility.

Although an individual experience, grieving does not need to be done alone. In their Grief and Bereavement Day campaign, the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association offers several suggestions for ways in which we can support someone who is navigating grief and loss. These include letting them know you’re thinking of them; not assuming what they want or need; acknowledging their loss; and offering practical assistance such as picking up groceries or helping with chores around the house if permitted.

“When connecting with a grieving person, remember you cannot fix their grief,” says Jennifer Dacre, Palliative and Bereavement Services Manager at Chilliwack Hospice Society. “You can, however, walk alongside them on their grief journey with empathy and compassion. Sometimes words aren’t required, but a listening ear is most appreciated.”

Chilliwack Hospice Society offers one-to-one grief support, free of charge, to adults, youth, and children in Chilliwack and the surrounding communities. Additionally, we facilitate many grief support groups throughout the year, including our First Step Grief Support Group and others dedicated to pet loss, sibling loss, traumatic loss, and grieving families.

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 22, starting at 6:00pm, Chilliwack Hospice Society will host our Annual Memorial Celebration at Vineyard Community Centre, located at 45892 Wellington Avenue. A time of reflection and support in the company of others whose loved one has died, the Annual Memorial Celebration is for everyone who is grieving. This year’s program will focus on creative expressions of grief. Guests are asked to please bring a framed photo of their loved one with them. Light refreshments will be served.

Beginning December 8, look for Celebrate a Life trees at Minter Country Garden and Thrifty Boutique. Celebrate A Life is an opportunity to write a message that’s on your heart onto a personalized butterfly in memory of a loved one on our trees of celebration. Hanging a butterfly on the tree has become a cherished ritual during the holiday season for many bereaved people in our community.

To learn more about the grief support programs and services available at Chilliwack Hospice Society, or to donate in honour of National Grief and Bereavement Day, please call (604) 795-4660 or visit www.chilliwackhospice.org

The program curriculum included:

• defining types of grief, factors that affect the grieving process, and what may be helpful when someone is grieving
• practicing active listening and interpersonal communication skills
• learning about different personal values, attitudes and beliefs about death, dying, grief and loss from guest speakers representing Stó:lō and Buddhist backgrounds
• understanding the differences in the cognitive development of children, teens, and adults
• discussing setting and maintaining healthy boundaries as a support person
• best practices for social media use when a peer is grieving a death of someone they love
• volunteer training for facilitating grief support groups for children and youth

Participants also learned about the resources available to them in the community, including the programs and services at Chilliwack Hospice Society, and discussed how they might refer a bereaved classmate for additional support.

Practicum students Caitlin Lidster and Chloe Amos contributed to the weekly discussions offering insights from their experiences.

“I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the Chilliwack Hospice Society’s Teen group this year as a practicum student. It was amazing to learn and participate alongside the teens during the six sessions together, and I enjoyed listening to all their contributions and thoughtful ideas that they had surrounding the topic of grief. I think that having this group is so important especially for high school aged students. Learning how to provide support for a grieving friend or classmate can make a huge difference in their lives and how they experience grief. Having this group provides the resources for teens to learn more about grief as a whole, and about the different supports and resources that are available to those experiencing grief.” — Chloe Amos

Students also gave their own brief presentations, participated in journaling exercises, games and activities to gain further understanding.

All participants received a certificate recognizing their successful completion of our Teen Grief Peer Support Training and were credited with work experience hours for their high school graduation requirements. We anticipate facilitating another Teen Grief Peer Support Training course in the spring with new students.

If you or someone you know is grieving the loss of a loved one right now, call Chilliwack Hospice Society at (604) 795-4660 or visit www.chilliwackhospice.org to learn more about the one-to-one support, groups and workshops that are currently being offered. Donations are always gratefully accepted at the Thrifty Boutique and online at www.chilliwackhospice.org/donate