GRIEF & BEREAVEMENT
SUPPORT
patient & family support
www.otagohospice.co.nz
293 North Road, PO Box 8002,
North East Valley, Dunedin.
E: otagohospice@xtra.co.nz
P: 03 473 6005
F: 03 473 6015
WE ARE AWARE THAT YOU HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER OR
FRIEND, AND WOULD LIKE TO OFFER OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO YOU AT THIS TIME.
We offer continuing support to all our families in the following ways:- USEFUL WEBSITES
BEREAVEMENT AFTERNOON TEA
www.skylight.org.nz
We hold informal afternoon teas every three months and
you will receive an invitation to this. It is an opportunity a NZ non-profit organisation
to catch up with staff and look in our Remembrance supporting children, young people
Book. You will receive an invitation approximately three and their families through tough
months after the death of your loved one. times of change, loss and grief
REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
We hold a Service three times a year and again, you will receive an invita- www.rd4u.org.uk
tion to come along. This will be approximately one year after the death of
Designed for young people by
your loved one. Following the Service, there is an afternoon tea and an
young people. RD4U means the
opportunity to make contact with staff from the Hospice.
‘road for you’ - the main aim of
However, we do respect your privacy and please do let us know if you do the site is to let you find your own
not wish to receive these invitations to you. ‘road’ to dealing with loss.
GROUP PROGRAMME
We run a regular group and seminar programme, which is open to patients www.nalag.org.nz
families prior to and following the death of their family member. Please
National Association for Grief and
ask one of the hospice staff if you would like to find out more.
Loss (NALAG). A voluntary or-
COME BACK AND SEE US ganisation focussing on issues of
grief and loss.
You are most welcome to come to the Otago Community Hospice to renew
acquaintances with staff members.
If there are any medical, nursing or any other questions you have unan-
swered, we can arrange for one of the doctors, nurses or appropriate staff
member to meet with you and your family. This is so you can talk through
your questions or concerns.
Please phone us for an appointment.
GRIEF & BEREAVEMENT
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING
SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY For individual counselling, enquiries or spiritual support,
Many funeral directors offer support please contact us on 03 473 6005.
groups and individual help as well as
pamphlets and information. You can
Trisha Bennett
ask them about this.
Counsellor / Therapist
Trisha.Bennett@otagohospice.co.nz
Clare Greensmith
Patient and Family/Whanau Support Services Director
Clare.Greensmith@otagohospice.co.nz
Rev Helen Metzger
Spiritual Care Worker
Rev Russell Thew
GRIEF Spiritual Care Worker
WHAT IS GRIEF? WE MAY EXPERIENCE MANY
Grief is a natural, normal response to DIFFERENT FEELINGS:
loss. In our behaviour we might react a num-
ber of ways... t e a r f u l . . . s h o c k e d …… n u m b …
Emotionally spiritually physically s a d ……… . g u i l t y …… . . a n g r y ………
Our response is unique to us as individuals resentful….tired…….Anxious…..alone…….unsur
and only the person experiencing the loss
e of what to do………...restless……
can determine its significance.
When we grieve, we may feel very different
f r i g h t e n e d …
to anything we have experienced before. u n m o t i vat e d … . . . r e l i e v e d ……………
While grief often feels confusing and over-
whelming, it is a process that helps us come
confused………….disconnected from
othe rs….. disbeli ef…… forge tf ul……….
…………….oversensitive to noise………..
WE MAY QUESTION THE PURPOSE & MEANING OF LIFE,
DREAM ABOUT OUR LOVED ONE WHO HAS DIED, AND
EVEN SENSE THEIR PRESENCE.
GRIEF & BEREAVEMENT
IT MIGHT HELP TO ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
In what way is my grief affecting me?
HELPFUL BOOKS:
spiritually, emotionally, physically, intellectually and
behaviourally? Grief Therapy Karen Katafiasz
When do I feel vulnerable? Coming to Grief Pam Heaney
What memories do I have of my loved one? Children’s Grief Pam Heaney
When things become normal again, what will I notice?
Who Moved My Cheese Spenser John-
How will I know when life starts to become more normal? son
A Return to Love Maryanne Williams
IT MAY ALSO HELP TO TRY THE FOLLOWING: The Wheel of Life Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Take your feelings seriously.
When someone offers to help you with something—let them.
Talk about what has happened. HELPFUL WEBSITES:
Let yourself have time to think through decisions, especially big
ones, like moving house.
For children, it can be useful to obtain
Do something nice just for yourself, everyday. books
Schedule activities you can look forward to. rom the Skylight Trust
Do what feels right for you, not what other people say you www.skylight.co.nz
‘should’.
Get plenty of rest. For adults, the National Association for
Try to do something that feels relaxing or pleasurable, even if it Grief and Loss may have helpful infor-
is small like sitting with the sun on your back. mation
www.nalag.org.nz
Try to do something that is gently active everyday such as short
walks.
FOLLOW US ON ONLINE
More information can be found on our website www.otagohospice.co.nz
Join us on facebook & twitter!
www.facebook.com/otagocommunityhospice.co.nz
Twitter profile: @OCHbutterfly