End of Life Resources

The Basics: Coping with Grief and Loss

As a griever, you have rights no one should violate or take away from you. Living through grief is an important part of healing. The grieving path is different for each one of us, and your path is something no one has the right to impede upon. Your pathway through grief is what you need to experience to find your way through it and on to living a full life after the loss of someone you love.

Below is a list of your rights meant to empower you in your journey through the healing process. This list is intended to enable you to understand the importance of your right to grieve.

The Grieving Person’s Bill of Rights

  1. You have the right to experience your own unique No one else will grieve the same way you do.
  2. You have the right to talk about your Talking about your grief will help you heal. Seek out others who will allow you to talk as much as you want, as often as you want, about your grief.
  3. You have the right to feel many Confusion, disorientation, fear, guilt and relief are just a few of the emotions you might feel as part of your journey of grief. Find listeners who will accept your feelings without conditions.
  4. You have the right to be tolerant of your physical and emotional Your feelings of loss and sadness will probably leave you feeling fatigued. Respect what your body and mind are telling you. Get daily rest. Eat balanced meals.
  5. You have the right to experience grief “attacks.” Sometimes ,out of nowhere, a powerful surge of grief may overcome you. This can be frightening but it is normal and natural. Find someone who understands and will let you talk it
  6. You have the right to make use of The funeral ritual does more than acknowledge the death of someone loved. It helps provide you with the support of caring people. More important, the funeral is a way for you to mourn.
  7. You have the right to embrace your If faith is part of your life, express it in ways that seem appropriate to you. Allow yourself to be around people who understand and support your religious beliefs. If you feel angry at God, find someone to talk with who won’t be critical of your feelings of hurt and abandonment.
  8. You have the right to search for You may find yourself asking “Why did he or she die? Why this way? Why now?” Some of your questions may have answers, but some may not.
  9. You have the right to treasure your Memories are one of the best legacies that exist after the death of someone loved. You will always remember.  Instead of ignoring your memories, find others with whom you can share them.
  10. You have the right to move towards your grief and Reconciling your grief will not happen quickly. Remember, grief is a process, not an event. Be patient and tolerant with yourself.

© By Alan D. WolfeIt, PhD, Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition, Ft. Collins, CO

Grief and Clinical Depression

Distinguishing between grief and clinical depression isn’t always easy as they share many symptoms, but there are ways to tell the difference. Remember, grief can be a roller coaster. It involves a wide variety of emotions and a mix of good and bad days. Even when you’re in the middle of the grieving process, you will have moments of pleasure or happiness. With depression, on the other hand, the feelings of emptiness and despair are constant.

Other symptoms that suggest depression, not just grief:

  • Intense, pervasive sense of guilt
  • Thoughts of suicide or a preoccupation with dying
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
  • Slow speech and body movements
  • Inability to function at work, home, and/or school
  • Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there

It’s normal to feel sad, numb, or angry following a loss. But as time passes, these emotions should become less intense as you accept the loss and start to move forward. If you aren’t feeling better over time, or your grief is getting worse, it may be a sign that your grief has developed into a more serious problem, such as complicated grief or major depression.

Complicated Grief

The sadness of losing someone you love never goes away completely, but it shouldn’t remain center stage. If the pain of the loss is so constant and severe that it keeps you from resuming your life, you may be suffering from a condition known as complicated grief. Complicated grief is like being stuck in an intense state of mourning. You may have trouble accepting the death long after it has occurred or be so preoccupied with the person who died that it disrupts your daily routine and undermines your other relationships.

Symptoms of complicated grief include:

  • Intense longing and yearning for the deceased
  • Intrusive thoughts or images of your loved one
  • Denial of the death or sense of disbelief
  • Imagining that your loved one is alive
  • Searching for the person in familiar places
  • Avoiding things that remind you of your loved one
  • Extreme anger or bitterness over the loss
  • Feeling that life is empty or meaningless

If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of complicated grief, please know there is help available. Acknowledging your need for bereavement support is an important step toward healing. Contact your local hospice provider to find out about bereavement services, or you may call the social work department at XXXX or the palliative care department and ask to speak with the Palliative Care Social Worker.

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.

Grief Resources for Hospital Patients

  • On-site grief counselors or social workers: These professionals can provide emotional support, answer questions, and help patients and their families navigate  the  grieving
  • Spiritual or religious support: Chaplains or other spiritual leaders can provide comfort and support to patients and their
  • Grief hotline or helpline: A dedicated phone line for patients and their families to call for support.

General Grief Websites

•       Maryland Health: Pages – Grief and Loss Resources

Bereavement Materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Support Group Resources

GriefShare: multiple local groups with virtual options 

National Students of AMF (Actively Moving Forward, for college students): AMF has an app to provide virtual support groups and other grief support activities .

  • JSSA Bereavement Support Groups: These groups are offered at no charge and are facilitated by clinicians with specialized training and experience in grief. They offer groups for adults who have lost a loved one, adults who have lost a child or teen, and adults who have lost a spouse or partner. For more information or to register, please call 240-800-JSSA and press 2 for hospice. 
  • Montgomery Hospice Grief Support Groups: Montgomery Hospice offers a variety of grief support groups, including groups for adults, children, and teens. For more information or to register, please call 301-921-4400. 
  • LifeMark Grief Group: LifeMark offers a therapeutic grief group for adults. The group meets weekly for 10 weeks and provides a supportive environment for people to share their stories and learn coping skills. For more information or to register, please visit their website. 
  • Psychology Today Grief Support Groups: Psychology Today has a list of grief support groups in Maryland. You can search for groups by location, type of loss, or other criteria. 
  • The Compassionate Friends: The Compassionate Friends is a national organization that supports families who have lost a child. They have local chapters in Maryland that offer grief support groups and other resources. For more information, please visit their website. 
  • The Dougy Center: The Dougy Center is a national organization that supports children and families who have lost a loved one. They have a local chapter in Maryland that offers grief support groups and other resources. For more information, please visit their website. 

Professional/Clinical: Individual or group counseling is provided by a trained and licensed professional (counselor, therapist, social worker or psychologist). A trained professional may use a variety of therapeutic techniques during sessions to help you develop coping skills and process your grief. 

Peer Support Groups: Peer led groups are typically led by an individual who has lost a loved one, usually several years ago, and is considered to have gone through the grieving process. Grief support groups may be organized based on the relative a person has lost (child, parent or spouse) so that all participants have a shared experience. Peer support groups can range in structure from developing new coping skills to open sharing of stories. 

Faith Based Groups: These groups focus on the integration of faith, along with support and guidance, to move through the grief process. Sessions may include the exploration of how spirituality helps in the mourning process. It may be beneficial to work through your grief with people whose values or belief systems are similar to yours. 

Hospice Resources

Frederick Health Hospice: offering local support groups, virtual options available  

Gilchrist: local support groups and resources   

Gilchrist Hospice Care: https://www.gilchristcares.org/ 

Hospice of the Chesapeake: local support groups and resources 

Amedisys Hospice Care: https://locations.amedisys.com/md/rosedale/7106-ridge-road-amedisys-hospice-care 

Heartland Hospice: http://heartlandhospice.com/ 

AccentCare Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Baltimore: https://www.seasons.org/locations/baltimore/ 

Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland: https://www.hnmd.org/ 

Hospice of the Chesapeake: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/ 

Capital Caring Health: https://www.capitalcaring.org/ 

Coastal Hospice: https://www.coastalhospice.org/ 

Compass Regional Hospice: https://www.compassregionalhospice.org/ 

This is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other hospice agencies available in Maryland. You can also search online for “hospice agencies in Maryland” to find additional resources. 

 *Kinds of hospice and what that means 

Pediatric Bereavement Services

The Pediatric Life Journey Program was developed to offer support and guidance to parents and family members following the death of a child. The program provides educational resources to families to enhance coping skills and hosts an annual remembrance service to honor the lives of their children. 

Websites 

  • Sesame Street
    A variety of resources and activities, including kits and videos for children of various age groups. 

Workbooks 

  • When Someone Very Special Dies
    Author: Marge Heegaard
    (School-age to pre-teen. Some pages could be used with younger children as well)
    Discusses change and the finality death and gives space to help process these concepts. Says that some people believe in God and briefly outlines some thoughts of afterlife. Discusses various emotions that are normal to feel. 

Books 

  • Gentle Willow: A Story for Children about Dying
    Author: Joyce C. Mills
    (School age)
    A squirrel is friends with a little tree. They admire a big willow tree across the pond. The squirrel befriends the willow, who then gets sick. The squirrel tries to help by inviting tree wizards, but they could not fix the willow. Encourages the squirrel to sing songs and comfort the willow as she dies. Discusses the special memories that they have of the willow. Uses another story about a caterpillar changing into a butterfly to help ease the willow’s fears of dying. 
  • Invisible String
    Author: Patrice Karst
    (All ages)
    A heartwarming story that reassures children that even though they can’t always be with a loved one, they’re always in each other’s hearts. Whenever a child thinks about a family member, The Invisible String gives a tug. This book is an excellent way to begin the conversation about death. The gentle story illustrates that we are still connected by love even after someone passes. 
  • Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing with Loss
    Author: Michaelene Mundy
    (Pre-school to school age)
    Discusses that it is OK to feel a variety of emotions and encourages them to express the emotions, that even if mom and dad are busy they still love them, that it isn’t the child’s fault, /magical thinking. Mentions that some people believe that a dead person’s spirit goes to “God in heaven” and that some believe when you die you will be reunited with your loved one that has died. 

Pregnancy Loss Resources

Bereaved Parents of the USA: Maryland has two chapters that facilitate groups, contact your local chapter for virtual options 

The Compassionate Friends: There are three chapters in Maryland and D.C., contact your local chapter for virtual options​​​ 

Loss & Grief in Pregnancy & Postpartum | Postpartum Support International (PSI): https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/loss-grief-in-pregnancy-postpartum/  

Grief & Infant Loss Resources | Safe to Sleep®: https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/resources/infant-loss  

Loss Resources | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: https://www.chop.edu/resources/loss-resources  

Free Perinatal Grief Support Groups – Children’s Bereavement Center: https://childbereavement.org/support-groups/adult-groups/perinatal-loss.html  

SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/ 

Funeral Resources

SPOTLIGHT ON BURIAL FUNDS — 2024 Edition https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-burial-funds.htm 

Funeral home price survey List of funeral homes, their pricing for cremation and/or burial 

How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies  

 Reading List

  • For Children 
  • For Spouse/Partner 
  • General Grief 
  • Supporting Others 

Grief Resources for Hospital Clinicians

  • Debriefing sessions: These sessions provide an opportunity for clinicians to talk about their experiences and emotions related to a patient’s death or other loss. 
  • Peer support groups: These groups provide a safe and supportive space for clinicians to connect with each other and share their experiences. 
  • Mental health counseling: Clinicians who are struggling with grief may benefit from individual or group therapy. 
  • Educational resources: Information about grief and loss, as well as coping strategies, can be helpful for clinicians. 
  • Self-care resources: Resources that help clinicians to take care of their own mental and physical health. 
  • Time off: Allowing clinicians time off to grieve can be important for their well-being. 

Recognition and appreciation: Acknowledging the emotional toll that grief can take on clinicians can be helpful. 

Sections of Things That Need to Be Fleshed Out

  • Brief interventions for different disciplines 
  • PDF page for high points  
  • What are the high points? 
  • Provider versus general public 
  • Are there campus specific resources?  
  • Get input from JHH/Sibley/Suburban SWs as to what they’d like/want 
  • What do you want on the landing page?