The hospice movement has long been associated with providing quality, home-based care to individuals coping with terminal illness, but Good Shepherd Hospice has much more to offer, including supportive services for family members and friends coping with the death of a loved one. All of Good Shepherd Hospice's grief support services are facilitated by master's-level social workers, counselors, and professionally trained volunteers. The following grief programs help assure the long-term emotional, mental and physical well-being of survivors of all ages by helping individuals adjust to their loss and express their feelings.

Individual Counseling
Good Shepherd Hospice's bereavement counselors offer guidance, attention and support to hospice survivors within the family system as they work through the grieving and healing process.

Memorial Services
Memorial services provide a time to honor the memory of loved ones and allow closure for Good Shepherd Hospice families, staff and volunteers. Services are offered several times a year at various locations throughout Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties and are open to Good Shepherd Hospice survivors and the community.

Adult Grief Support Groups
Good Shepherd Hospice's grief support groups offer support and education by helping survivors cope with their emotions, new roles in life and plans for the future. Groups are scheduled at various locations throughout Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties on an ongoing basis. Pre-registration is required, and the groups are open to all community members who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Adult Retreat
Held annually, the retreat provides an opportunity for any adult (18 and older) who has experienced the death of a loved one to come together and share in a day of relaxation, reflection and healing.

Children's Services
Children may need additional supportive services to help them cope with the death of a loved one. To meet the special needs of young grievers, Good Shepherd Hospice offers services and events through the Bethany Center for Grieving Children and Teens.