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Hospice Care

Home Care / Hospice Care / Bereavement

 

Bereavement

Man sitting on a rock

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:

Hospice Service Area

3 county service area map

  • 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

Local Support Groups

  • UR Medicine Home Care (2180 Empire Blvd., Webster, NY 14580) Held 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, Bereavement Coordinator for UR Medicine Home Care. Meetings are currently being held on Zoom.
  • The legacy at Erie Station,1545 Erie Station Road, Henrietta, NY: Group is held weekly to provide support to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one.  Group is held Wednesday at 6:30 pm. Facilitated by Evelyn Goldman. Meetings are currently being held on Zoom.
  • The Presbyterian Church, 24 Park Place, Geneva NY (​Ontario and Yates Counties) offers bi-monthly bereavement support groups facilitated by Jan DiDuro. Community members are welcomed to attend the first and third Tuesdays from 1:00-2:30 pm. Meetings are held in the Parlor Room. Contact Jan for more information at (315) 759-8225.
  • Elmgrove United Methodist Church, 1500 Spencerport Rd, Rochester, NY 14606: Thursdays at 6:00 pm. Starting January 16, 2020. This group will be held weekly to support young adults ages 18-28 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Please call to register. Meetings are currently being held on Zoom.
  • Zoom group. This group provides support to anyone who has experienced the death of a parent. Group is held on Tuesday’s at 6:00 pm.  Facilitated by Maura Hollaran.  Please call Michele Allman, LMSW for information.
  • Zoom Group. This group provides support to anyone who has experienced the death of an adult child.  Group is being held on Thursday’s at 3:30pm. Facilitated by Michele Allman, LMSW.  Please call for information.
  • Zoom Group*** NEW – This group provides support to young widow/widowers.  Group will begin on Monday March 7, 2022 and will be held weekly at 6:30 pm.  Facilitated by Deborah King. Please call to register. 
  • UR Medicine Hospice (Monroe County) – Michele Allman, LMSW, at (585) 274-4069, or email at Michele_Allman@URMC.Rochester.edu for any questions or to make reservations. One to one supportive counseling is also available.
  • UR Medicine Hospice (Ontario and Yates Counties) – Jan DiDuro at (315) 759-8225, or email at Janice_DiDuro@URMC.Rochester.edu for any questions or to make reservations.

Specialized Support for Children

The agency offers Camp Heartstrings/Camp Dreams. The program is a day camp designed to benefit children (entering grades 2–11 in September 2023) who are adjusting to the death of a loved one. Developed by Licensed Master Social Workers, this camp promotes understanding, acceptance, hope and healing through a comprehensive program of activities. It is staffed by credentialed professionals and trained volunteers. This camp is offered free-of-charge to children and families, and is provided by Visiting Nurse Hospice, Pittsford Youth Services, and Dreams from Drake. Learn more about Camp Heartstrings/Camp Dreams.

National Alliance for Grieving Children logo

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.