Grief Support

Navigating grief is never easy. Each person is different, as well as each loss that a person experiences. This resource package will provide information, coping skills, and resources to connect you with supportive tools and resources to help you to express your grief and adjust to your loss.

We accept self referrals for those requesting support due to the death of a person. The need of each client is carefully determined by our staff and clinical team to see if we are able to support them. This may include phone support, one-to-one companionship with a compassionate trained volunteer, a specific grief support group, mail outreach program, or limited short term one-to-one grief counselling.

When a death occurs it can be hard to process feelings on your own. Although grieving is a normal part of life, it can take time to “get back to normal”. Each person processes their grief experience differently, in the way that feels right for them. Each loss experience will also be different, and have connections to a person’s previous experiences with death.

Please note that we prioritize our services to those whose loss is recent or acute. In times of high demand for services, you may be placed on a wait list until one of our counsellors can be in touch to learn more about your loss and what support would be most helpful.

There is no fee for services, however donations for services are appreciated.

  • Volunteer Phone Outreach Support

    The pain and loneliness following a loss can be eased by the presence of a trained volunteer who provides compassionate non-judgemental support through regular phone calls. Clients can feel emotionally supported as they express their grief, share memories, talk about their concerns and challenges. Volunteers are supported by CVHS counsellors.

  • Grief Support Groups

    We offer in-person grief support groups at different times throughout the year for CVHS clients. These have included groups such as Partners in Grief, Playing with Art Through Grief, and a men’s grief group. We also offer less structured gatherings on a weekly basis. While these groups are not support groups, they can feel supportive to participants by offering a safe space to socialize. See our Program Calendar for details.

  • Grief Counselling

    CVHS offers limited short-term grief counselling and/or assistance in finding community grief support services when available for those not able to access those resources through their employment benefits.

  • Volunteer Grief Support

    This program provides thoughtfully matched companionship to bereaved clients during the first months of grief. Trained volunteers offer compassionate non-judgmental support to help naturalize the grieving process through in-person visits. The frequency of these visits gradually tapers as the client learns to adjust to their loss.