Hospice Bereavement Counseling

After a significant loss, grief can feel overwhelming. The grieving process is different for everyone – that’s why our hospice services at West Michigan Hospice extend to include grief and bereavement counseling for patients’ families. 

Speaking with an experienced professional can be immensely therapeutic. Hospice bereavement counseling can help you make sense of your emotions, cherish fond memories shared with your loved one, and assist you with moving forward in your life as you learn to live with loss. 

Learn How Our Hospice Bereavement Counseling Services Can Help You
Please fill out the form below with your information and how we can help. Once submitted, our team will reach out as soon as possible.

What Is Bereavement Counseling?

Hospice bereavement counseling, also called grief counseling, is a form of therapy intended to help someone effectively cope with loss, such as the death of a partner, family member, or friend. 

After a person passes, bereavement support is offered to family and loved ones for up to a year.

The death of a loved one in your life can result in both emotional and physical pain., bereavement therapy can involve working with a counselor, in addition to a therapist, psychologist, or support group. 

Not only does bereavement counseling help you manage the feelings you’re experiencing on a daily basis, but it can also be beneficial when you’re trying to make practical decisions, such as funeral arrangements and more after-death settlements. 

How Does Hospice Bereavement Counseling Work?

Hospice bereavement counseling typically involves talking about the person you lost, your relationship with them, how they died, and how their death has impacted you. 

Grief counselors and therapists can use an array of tactics depending on your individual needs. Some of the techniques that might be used include: 

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – ACT is a form of psychotherapy encouraging you to accept the negative feelings you’re experiencing. The goal is to focus on healthy patterns in your life so you can eventually move on. 
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) – CBT is another form of psychotherapy. The process involves identifying thought patterns that negatively affect your behavior and changing them. 
  • Group Therapy – Group therapy takes place in a community-based setting with a collection of people also undergoing grief. It can be comforting to share your feelings with a support system going through the same thing and know that you’re not alone. Together, you can work through your emotions and work toward recovery. 
  • Art Therapy – Art therapy uses artistic techniques to express your emotions and promote healthy healing. This form of therapy can benefit people of all ages – especially children who might struggle to communicate their feelings.  
  • Play Therapy – Play therapy is used with children to gain insights into their feelings and thought processes. It can help them process and understand unresolved emotions and build constructive behavior patterns. 
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Meet Chaplain Sarah! 

Chaplain Sarah is a pastor in the Christian faith. She has led congregations and counseled individuals and families for over 10 years. Prior to working with West Michigan Hospice, Sarah worked in prison ministries and congregational ministry.

Benefits of Hospice Bereavement Counseling

Hospice bereavement counseling provides an array of benefits that can positively impact everyone. According to a study published in the Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy journal, those participating in grief counseling report fewer symptoms in the long run and experience long-term benefits. 

Aside from helping you navigate your emotions and feel overall happier, some of the other benefits bereavement counseling offers include:

  • Coping skills to adapt to your new life with the loss of a loved one
  • Self-awareness (you can start to understand what emotions you’re feeling and why)
  • Acceptance of loss (integrating it into your life and maintaining a healthy bond with the person you lost moving forward in your life)
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Does Insurance Cover Hospice Bereavement Counseling?

Yes. Hospice care services are 100% covered by Medicare and Medicaid, which includes bereavement counseing services.

Have More Questions About Hospice Bereavement Counseling? 
Contact Our Team

If you have more questions about hospice bereavement counseling for yourself or someone you’re close to, don’t hesitate to reach out. West Michigan Hospice is here to offer you assistance and support. Give us a call at (616) 258-2680, or contact us online. You may also visit our FAQs page for more information.