Bereavement
Bereavement refers to a period of mourning before, during and after a loss, and grief in reaction to the loss. Bereavement care is an important part of the hospice experience and includes anticipating grief reactions and providing ongoing support for the bereaved over a period of 13 months. UR Medicine Home Care offers our Bereavement program to the community at no charge.
How Bereavement Support Helps
Losing a loved one isn’t easy to prepare for or accept. Grieving is a healthy and normal response to loss. We provide support through the bereavement process and can help individuals and families heal. We’re available to provide you or your family with as much or as little assistance before or after a loved one has died, at no cost. Our Bereavement Program is an extension of our hospice care and helps address feelings of loss, grief or sorrow through:
- Individual or group support
- Community referrals to trained bereavement professionals as needed
- Special programs and services, such as education or training
- Quarterly letters
- The annual Memorial Butterfly Release
- The Evening of Remembrance held annually to honor loved ones
- Trained bereavement volunteers that offer massage, Reiki, energy work, spiritual care and who provide regular supportive phone calls
Special Event: Coping with the holidays
- UR Medicine Homecare, 2180 Empire Blvd., Webster, NY 14580. November 19, 2025 @ 6pm. Holidays can be difficult, join us for a special group to talk about the holidays and how to navigate this difficult time of year. Please call Michele Allman, LMSW at 585-274-4069 for any questions or to make a reservations.
Local Support Groups
Monroe County
- UR Medicine Home Care, 2180 Empire Blvd. Webster, NY 14580: Tuesdays at 11:00 am. This group provides support to anyone who has experienced a death of a loved one. Facilitated by Michele Allman, LMSW VNS Bereavement Coordinator.
- UR Alumni Center, 300 East River Road, Rochester, NY 14267: 1st and 3rd Friday at 12 pm. tarting October 24th. This group provides support to any young widow/widower who has experienced the death of a spouse/significant other. Facilitated by Erin Kane
- St. Thomas More Church, 2617 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14610: 2nd and 4th Tuesday Evening at 7:00 pm. This group will provide support to anyone who has experienced the death of an adult child. Facilitated by Bonnie Serio.
- Union Presbyterian Church, 1 Browns Ave, Scottsville, NY 14546:Mondays at 3:00 pm. This group provides support to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Facilitated by Allen Roach
- Save the Date: UR Medicine Homecare, 2180 Empire Blvd., Webster, NY 14580
Coping with the holidays, November 19, 2025 @6pm.
Holidays can be difficult, join us for a special group to talk about the holidays and how to navigate this difficult time of year.
New Group Coming: Please call with any interest, For those who have lost a parent.
Zoom Meeting:
- Monday at 6:30 pm. This group is to provide support to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Facilitated by Deborah King.
Please call Michele Allman (Monroe County), LMSW at 585-274-4069 for any questions or to make a reservations. One to one supportive counseling is also available.
Ontario and Yates Counties
- First Tuesday. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Via Zoom. Facilitated by Jan DiDuro
- Third Tuesday. 1:00 to 2:30 pm. In-person. The Presbyterian Church, 24 Park Place, Geneva. Enter through parking lot off Washington St. Meet in North Parlor. Facilitated by Jan DiDuro
- Fourth Thursday. 3:30 to 5:00 pm. In-person. Penn Yan Public Library, 214 Main St., Penn Yan. Meet upstairs in the community room. Facilitated by Jan DiDuro and Linda Fox. Meeting moved to November 20th and December 18th due to holidays
- Second Friday. 12:30 to 1:30 pm. In-person. FF Thompson Hospital. Constellation Center for Health and Healing (around the back of the hospital). Meets in the George M. Ewing Conference room on the ground floor. Co-facilitated by Jan DiDuro and FFTH Chaplains.
UR Medicine Hospice (Ontario and Yates Counties) – Jan DiDuro at (585) 736-7857, or email at Janice_DiDuro@URMC.Rochester.edu for any questions or to make reservations.
- New Group coming in Fall 2025 for those who have lost a parent.
Specialized Support for Children
The agency offers Camp Heartstrings/Camp Dreams. A three day bereavement camp for children entering grades 2-11 in June/July. For information, please visit urmhomecare.org or call Michele Allman, LMSW 585-274-4069
Insurance Coverage
The hospice benefit provides bereavement care to families and loved ones in the year following a patient’s death. Additionally, bereavement services to the community, including counseling and support, are provided at no cost.