The healing process

takes many paths,
and although

it cannot be rushed,
it can be nurtured.

Loss is painful. Arkansas Hospice offers bereavement services to all of those who are coping with the loss of a loved one.

Individual and family counseling, as well as support groups, are available. Social Workers and chaplains are also involved in bereavement support.

Click here for the Transitions support groups meeting schedule

Spiritual comfort is as important as physical comfort. Arkansas Hospice staff chaplains are available upon request 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our chaplains provide support to patients and families according to their requested faith, denomination or tradition.

Read about grieving through the holidays.

Hope in Spring & Summer

By Barbara Cooper Ross, Arkansas Hospice Bereavement Coordinator

After the long days of winter, buds, blossoms and greenery appear – all reminding us of new, healthy seasons of life. For those who are grieving, experiencing hope in spring and summer can be difficult, often evoking strong emotions. As we witness the natural growth cycle, an acute sense of absence may be felt. It would not be uncommon to experience shock that, in spite of deep feelings of loss, flowers still bloom.

If you or someone you care about is mourning and looking for hope in spring and summer, try embracing the nurturing of flowers or trees in memory of your special someone who died. Gardening can bring quiet understanding, a natural peace we often collect as we dirty our hands in the soil.

We seek peace in the chaos of grief. Embracing the changing seasons in an active way, whether gardening or enjoying nature’s beauty on a reflective stroll, can help bring a sense of peaceful order to our lives. At some point in a bereavement journey, we recognize our love endures the seasons of life, even after death. The journey is unique to each person, a process you move through, not an event to endure as if it will have a definitive end. Healthy grief work takes time.

Anger, sadness, denial and shock are all normal grief responses that require expression in order to heal. Sharing your sadness and loss, telling your stories, expressing intense feelings, remembering your loved one and finding ways to redefine yourself without your special person are all part of moving through grief in healthy ways.

Where are you in your journey? Will you sit among flowers or plant a memory tree? Will you share a garden with others, or simply enjoy a view of nature’s beauty in a favorite place, within a blanket of solitude? Regardless of the method you choose to express your love and loss, look for hope – and if you need us, look to Arkansas Hospice for help on your journey.

For more information about Bereavement Support, please contact me at 501-748-3390 or toll free at 1-877-257-3400.