There is a paradox about grief. Even though it is universal, it can still cause feelings of isolation. Many of our grievers describe the moment after their loved one dies as the moment when “my world stopped, and the rest of the world kept moving.” It can be very disorienting, disruptive, and overwhelming for many. In a world where there is so much discomfort in talking about death and dying, some feel unsupported and unacknowledged in their grief. Lightways is dedicated to ensuring that no one must grieve alone.
Lightways Grief Support Services
Lightways Grief Support Services
“The loss of a loved one is a common experience shared by all humanity, yet grief can leave us feeling more alone, confused and unsettled than almost any other experience.”
There is a paradox about grief. Even though it is universal, it can still cause feelings of isolation. Many of our grievers describe the moment after their loved one dies as the moment when “my world stopped, and the rest of the world kept moving.” It can be very disorienting, disruptive, and overwhelming for many. In a world where there is so much discomfort in talking about death and dying, some feel unsupported and unacknowledged in their grief. Lightways is dedicated to ensuring that no one must grieve alone.
One of the main ways that Lightways meets this mission is to offer free grief support to anyone in the community after the death of a loved one. The Grief Support Program provides a variety of grief support services to meet an array of diverse grief support needs. These include grief counseling for individuals and families, grief support group meetings, grief workshops and special memorial events to give families many opportunities to honor their loved one throughout the year. In the summer, Lightways also hosts an annual kid’s camp for children ages 7-13 who have experienced the death of a loved one.
Services are offered both in person and virtually and focus on helping grievers gain a better understanding of their loss, how it has affected them, and how they can best cope.
Grief Support Education
In addition to grief support, the Grief Support Program also educates individuals, families, and the community about grief. This includes:
- Education to parents/caregivers on how to explain a death to a child, as well as how to support their grieving child.
- Education for professionals and the community on how to support someone who is grieving.
- Education to agencies on how to support staff and their community after a death.
Grief support services information
For more information on Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care Grief Support services, please contact us directly at 815.460.3295 or email us directly at [email protected].
Measuring our 2024 Impact in Numbers
The number of people the Lightways Grief Support Program serves each year continues to increase, as more people utilize hospice care, and as more people learn about our services. In 2024…
condolence calls were made to hospice families
people called Lightways for grief support
people received grief counseling
(21% of the clients coping with a traumatic loss such as a sudden, unexpected death, a substance related death, a pediatric death, an accident, a homicide, suicide, or other trauma).
counseling sessions were provided
(28% of these sessions were provided for community members).
people participated in a support group
people participated in a special event
kids attended the Peace of the Heart Kids Camp in 2024
Through darkness, we bring light
Contact Lightways
For more information on Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care Grief Support services, please contact us directly at 815.460.3295 or email us directly at [email protected].
