Good Grief on Tuesdays

For at least the last 8 years Tuesdays at Wellness House have included the Bereavement Support group, held at noon every Tuesday that Wellness House is open.

The Bereavement Support Group began out of the need to support family members and friends who lose someone due to cancer or other life-challenging illnesses. Like many other programs of Wellness House, the group evolved to meet the needs of the community. The group is now available for anyone experiencing loss and going through the grieving process.

The attendees of the bereavement support group come in all ages, all backgrounds and walks of life. In addition, the group is co-ed. Men and women deal with loss and emotions differently, but the grieving process is the same regardless of who you are.

Recently a new facilitator took over the group. Pastor Swanson from Central Lutheran Church. Prior to Pastor Swanson, Reverend Doctor Ed Cummings from Terrace Heights Presbyterian had facilitated the group for almost its entire existence. The bereavement support group is non-denominational or bible focused in any way, in spite of its religious leadership. The truth is that these two gentlemen both have a skill and a heart for helping people at the end of their life and at the beginning of some one's life following a loss.

A number of the attendees have been coming to the group for some time now. The group is an open group - meaning you can attend or not attend when ever you feel like it. Over the years a small number of group attendees made a transition into a "mentor" type of role. They now attend to share their experiences and support those newly faced with loss and grief.

Coping, accepting, understanding, honoring, crying, laughter are all normal pieces of the grieving process and the Bereavement Support Group. Loss of a loved one can lead to loneliness and feelings of isolation. The group experience serves to lessen the impact of both of those feelings.

Just as death is a part of life, grieving is a part of death. If you would like more information about the Bereavement Support Group that Wellness House offers or you would like to access other resources Wellness House has on death and grieving, please contact Lin, our client advocate, at 509/575-6686 or lin@wellness-house.org.