Bereavement Services & Groups
Grief Matters. Offering Compassionate Support for those Who have had a Loved One Die.
Bereavement Services
Grief can be one of life’s most difficult journeys and one that you need not travel alone. McNally House Hospice can provide a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space for you to share your story with others who have experienced a similar loss.
Please contact Jennifer Jowlabar – Bereavement Clinician for the most up-to-date information regarding our bereavement programs. Bereavement support is being offered in-person, zoom, or telephone at this time. To contact Jennifer, email her at jjowlabar@mcnallyhousehospice.com or call her at 905-309-4013 ext. 32.
What We Believe About Grief:
- The deep grief experienced following a death is normal
- Grief is a unique experience
- Everyone possesses the capacity to heal
- Critical to the healing process is an emotionally safe space to grieve
Goals of the McNally House Hospice Bereavement Program:
- To provide a safe space to explore grief however works best for the individual
- To reduce isolation by connecting with other bereaved people
- To normalize the grief experience.
- To nurture the resiliency of people by identifying their own inner resources and coping
Bereavement Services Inquiry
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What We Offer
Anyone who is coping with the death of a loved one is welcome to attend McNally House Hospice’s bereavement programs. All programs are free of charge and require registration. Below outlines the six different types of services available to you and your family.
Please contact Jennifer Jowlabar – Bereavement Clinician jjowlabar@mcnallyhousehospice.com (905-309-4013 ext. 32) for the most up-to-date information regarding our bereavement programs.
Bereavement Counselling
Bereavement counselling sessions are available to individuals and families with the Bereavement Clinician, who is available to meet in the office or at the home if preferred.
Individual Volunteer Peer Support
Individuals can be matched with a bereavement volunteer who has experienced a similar loss and is trained to provide emotional support and share personal experience when appropriate.
Support Groups
Individuals can register for a support group specific to a particular type of loss. Support groups are facilitated by trained volunteers. As we explore the impact of our grief, sharing our stories and being witnessed can be a powerful part of the healing process for many bereaved people.
Support Groups offered include: spousal loss, parental loss, sibling loss, child loss, etc. Please register to be on the waitlist and be notified of the start date.
Bereavement Support Groups at McNally House Hospice:
- Are small groups of people who have experienced similar losses
- Meet weekly to explore their grief in a confidential and supportive setting
- Are facilitated by two peer, bereaved volunteers, who are supported by a professional Bereavement Support Clinician
- Give you a chance to talk about your own grief experience and listen to the experiences of others
Participating in a mutual support group may:
- Provide a safe space for you to explore your grief
- Reduce your sense of isolation by connecting you with other bereaved people
- Normalize your experience of grief by hearing from and sharing with others
- Provide you with information and resources.
Wellness Programs
Group activities designed to support bereaved individuals to reduce isolation, connect with others, and promote overall wellbeing. Group activities include: walking, meditation, yoga, and other kinds of activities. Please register to be on the waitlist for a group and be notified of the start date.
Art Therapy for Bereavement
Individual Art Therapy sessions are available and provided by McNally House’s Art Therapist, Shara McLaren. Art Therapy group sessions are also offered throughout the year.
Workshops
A number of bereavement workshops are offered throughout the year. Topics include, but not limited to, How to Support Someone who is Grieving, Grief in the Workplace, Grief During the Holiday. Season. If you are interested in hosting a workshop at your place of business or for a group you attend, please contact our Community Engagement Coordinator, Amanda Black, at ablack@mcnallyhousehospice.com or 905-309-4013 ext. 31
Bereavement Groups
At this time, all in-person bereavement groups have been canceled in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Please visit our social media pages for the most up-to-date information and for announcements regarding online groups.
All bereavement groups are free of cost and open to anyone who suffered the loss of a loved one. For more information or to register for any of the bereavement groups please contact Jennifer Jowlabar—Bereavement Support Clinician 905-309-4013 ext. 32 or at jjowlabar@mcnallyhousehospice.com.
Griever’s Corner (In-person) 
Griever’s Corner is a bi-weekly drop-in group held at McNally House Hospice. Join us to discuss topics related to coping with grief, and connect with other grievers in a safe, supportive environment. Share your experiences or just come to listen as we support each other through grief. One-time registration is required and then attended sessions as needed.
Dates: November 16 & 30, December 14 & 28,
January 11 & 25, February 8 & 22
Time: 6 PM – 7 PM
Location: McNally House Hospice
Hope for the Holiday (In-person)
Join McNally House Hospice for an opportunity to discuss coping with grief during the holiday season. We will explore specific challenges of grieving during the holidays, how to look after yourself, moving with your grief, supporting other family members, and how to approach the holiday traditions after a loss.
This workshop is free of cast and registration is required.
Time: 6:30 PM- 8 PM
Date: November 28th, 2023
Location: McNally House Hospice (148 Central Ave., Grimsby)
Kintsugi Grief Workshop (In-person) 
Participants will use the Japanese art form of Kintgusi/kintukuroi to explore how grief has altered your identity.
No experience or artistic ability is necessary, this workshop is free of cost and open to all grieving the loss of a loved one.
All materials provided, registration is required
Date: November 29th, 2023
Time: 10 AM- 1 PM
Location: McNally House Hospice
We are grateful for the support of the Turkstra Lumber Fund at the Hamilton Community Foundation
