Bereavement Support at Beyond Hospice

When a person dies utilizing their hospice benefit, their loved ones have access to 13 months of bereavement care.

One of the reasons Beyond Hospice so clearly chose to be a non-profit, is to fully resource bereavement services for our patients and those they love.

The term ‘bereavement’ has at its root the word ‘reave’, which means ‘tear apart’.  For some, that’s how it feels, and learning to live with the new ripped-away reality is why we call it bereavement.  For some, the ending of a life comes after a prolonged illness and brings with it relief from suffering, or at the end of a long life well lived, and that reality becomes part of the grief story.  This passing can also mean changes in family systems, roles, sometimes with finances, and other losses that can compound as things shift in relation to this loss.  With grief can come all sorts of feelings.  Know that all the feelings are ok.  There is no right or wrong way to do this. 

 

Know also that you don’t have to go through this alone.  Beyond Hospice is here to help, providing complimentary bereavement services to you for the next 13 months.  What that exactly looks like we can figure out together.  We will adapt as we go, based on what your needs are and how they might change as the weeks and months go by.  It might be that now or later you find that you aren’t interest

❋ Phone calls from trained listeners and grief educators

Our standard plan is to call within 40 hours after death, then again at 2 weeks, then 4, 8, 16, 32, and then near the birthdate and death date.

❋ Call bereavement support anytime

Grief can take us by surprise, with emotions or questions. Or sometimes it helps to think through a new season or event. Call anytime.

❋ Curated website of quality resources

This website hopes to curate the latest research and media. Let us know what helps, and what you think is missing.

❋ Memorial Event early November

All welcome to hear live music, readings, reflection and lighting of candles to remember those we love and see no longer.

❋ One on ones as needed

Sure, we can meet you at a coffee shop or in your home and provide you one on one listening.

❋ Grief Groups for Education and Support

Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.

❋ Four mailings in a year

Beautiful, quality materials with education and practical suggestions to comfort and assist.

❋ Referrals to higher levels of care

We can help point you to higher levels of mental health or physical health care as needed.

Our Favorites

  • All There Is - Anderson Cooper

    Our review: Ok, confession. This reviewer has listened to the whole thing - all seasons - more than once. Ok, parts more than twice. Ok, the Colbert episode many more than that. It’s just so so good. This is definitely the resource most recommended on our bereavement calls, and (along with the What’s Your Grief book), the one we hear back from people about as the most moving, the most helpful thing we’ve recommended. It’s lovely.

  • What's Your Grief

    Our review: Easily digestible bits for a grief-fogged brain, sound theory, beautiful to look at, research-based, non-linear, reads like you are talking with friends.

  • Conscious Grieving: A Transformative Approach to Healing from Loss by Clair Bidwell Smith, LCPC. 2024

    Our review: What we like about this are the short chapters, written in a gentle conversational style but still has all the research based, all-you-need-to-know and all-the-grace-and-space you need. There are questions for reflection at the end of each chapter.

  • It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand by Megan Devine

    Some things cannot be fixed. They can only be carried. This book provides a path to rethink our relationship with grief. It encourages readers to see their grief as a natural response to death and loss, rather than an aberrant condition needing transformation.

  • Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief by Martha Whitmore Hickman

    Our review: This little book has been a fan favorite for 30 years. These meditations have quotes from authors, poets, philosophers and Christian mystics, and also Christian and Hebrew scriptures.

Twin Cities Grief Support Groups

  • The next Beyond Hospice grief group will be Mondays and Wednesdays in October at the Dunn Brothers coffee shop in Arden Hills.

    Oct 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28

    3-4pm

    All Welcome

    More info posted in September

  • The Center for Grief & Loss offers specialized therapy for complicated grief, trauma, and life transitions. All of our staff are clinically trained mental health therapists, which allows us to competently work with a variety of concerns for which individuals and families seek mental health care.

  • Growing Through Loss (GTL) provides support for adults who have experienced loss, information about the grieving process, caring and support from others who are also grieving and sharing of memories and feelings in a confidential setting. GTL supports loss of spouse, child, parent, other loved ones, loss through suicide,
    life transitions such as the loss of job, health, relationships or mid-life changes, multiple losses and provides small group and one-on-one support. GTL is sponsored jointly by The Interdenominational South Suburban Grief Support Coalition, a coalition of 15 churches in the south suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Click here for their website.


  • Brighter Days Family Grief Center is the only nonprofit Family Grief Center in MN providing free resources and services to children, young adults, and adults who are grieving the terminal diagnosis or death of a beloved family member. Look at their calendar for the latest listing of support groups.

  • These are well received by those who are comfortable in a Christian setting. Click here.

  • A coalition of churches providing faith-based grief support in the southwest suburbs of the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Click here to their site for information on the latest offerings.

  • The West Suburban Grief Coalition provides a safe, non-threatening environment where people may share and understand feelings of grief and move forward with their lives.Click here for their website, to find their latest offerings.

  • Churches in the Bloomington-Richfield, Minnesota work together to provide free support and education for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. You may start any series at any time. There is no commitment on attendance and no cost, though donations are greatly appreciated. Group meetings are held 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursdays. Click here for more information.

  • In an effort to help participants move forward with their lives, the Edina Coalition for Grief Support offers a short-term program for adults who are experiencing grief due to the death of a loved one. The focus is on education and group support in a safe and confidential environment. We are a nondenominational group inclusive of all backgrounds. Click here for their website for information.

  • We welcome you to join us any Saturday at 10 am to hear a one-half hour presentation on a topic related to grief and loss.  Then from 10:30 to 11:30, join a small group for people experiencing the death of a spouse or partner, family member or friend, or child. Click here for their website for more information.

We are so fortunate to have so many resources right here in the cities. If we can be of service in narrowing down your choices, please don’t hesitate to reach out and we can talk you through the options.

Plus, Beyond Hospice hosts our own rounds of Grief Groups, which are part grief education, part support group, to which everyone is welcome.

Questions about hospice?

Call us anytime.

612-489-5899