Bereavement Services

Grief is a normal response to the losses and transitions of life. When someone important to us has died, we mourn the loss of the relationship as well as the loss of the person. Grief is a natural process with a wide range of powerful emotions. Gulfside Regional Hospice’s special way of caring extends to family members and other loved ones after a hospice patient dies. The goal of Gulfside’s bereavement program is to assure the long term mental and physical well-being of survivors by helping them adjust to their loss and learn new skills for living. Most of Gulfside’s bereavement services are also available to community members, free of charge. These services include:

Bereavement Support Groups

Gulfside Regional Hospice has many different support groups that meet weekly throughout Pasco County and emphasize various bereavement issues. Under the counselor’s leadership, members of the group share information, experiences and emotional support. The group emphasizes discussion and participation, and focuses on various aspects of grief and the healing process. Spanish-speaking groups are also available. Check out the events calendar for the group nearest you.

Individual and Family Counseling

Gulfside’s bereavement counselors offer guidance and support to both individual family members and to the family unit in dealing with the grief process and encouraging healing to take place.

Mending Hearts Children’s Bereavement Program

Children, unlike adults, cannot draw on past experiences to help them deal with death. Gulfside’s Mending Hearts Children’s Bereavement Program offers special support groups and bereavement camps for both children and teens. Also, this program visits local schools throughout the year to perform a grief puppet show that Gulfside’s bereavement staff specially developed for children.

Telephone Assurance Program (TAP)

Staffed by specially trained volunteers, TAP gives grieving survivors the assurance of an understanding ear, keeps them informed of Hospice services, and provides additional support during the grieving process. TAP volunteers are also able to alert Gulfside’s bereavement counselors to any special needs or difficulties the survivors may be experiencing.

Memorial Services

Gulfside holds Community Memorial Services twice a year in the Spring and Fall. These interdenominational services provide an opportunity to remember loved ones and are open to all who have experienced a loss.