National Grief and Bereavement Day (Nov 18th) and Child Grief Awareness Day (Nov 20th)
Grief is a natural and normal response to the death of someone important. However, even when grief is expected, it can still be painful and confusing.
Victoria Hospice Bereavement Services provides a range of supports to bereaved people.
Victoria Hospice Bereavement Services are 100% funded through the generosity of community support and granting partners. Victoria Hospice also joins other agencies, associations and hospice societies across Canada in efforts to increase awareness and “literacy” around grief and bereavement, such as the initiatives listed below.
“Participating in the bereavement group had a profound impact.
My life is no longer defined by grief, and I feel like a whole person.”
Victoria Hospice Bereavement Services Client
National Grief and Bereavement Day
November 18 is National Grief and Bereavement Day.
On this day, all Canadians are encouraged to reflect and to engage government and all sectors of Canadian society in a national dialogue to identify and support access to the necessary resources for those living with grief and bereavement.
When personal connection matters most, many who are grieving feel alone, misunderstood, and unsupported. Even well-meaning friends and family often struggle to provide comfort or guidance in the ways that are most helpful.
There are things you can do, and resources you can draw on, if you or someone you know is struggling with grief and bereavement.
Read more about National Grief and Bereavement Day
Recommended Reading
Check out this recommended reading list of books for anyone wanting to learn more about grief and bereavement.
On the afternoon of November 18, Victoria Hospice Director of Bereavement Services, Marney Thompson, and CEO Teri Henderson will be onsite at the Greater Victoria Public Library-Central Branch to answer any questions you may have about bereavement support.
Children’s Grief Awareness Day
Children’s Grief Awareness Day is observed every year on the third Thursday in November. This day seeks to bring attention to the fact that often support can make all the difference in the life of a grieving child.
In just one year, more than 203,000 of Canada’s 7.5 million children under 18 will experience the death of someone in their extended family, and 1 in 14 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling who lives in their home*.
The death of a parent or sibling can be one of the most stressful life events that a child or youth can experience. It is important to provide children with information about grief, normalize their responses and encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings.
Read more about Children’s Grief Awareness Day
Online information and support resources
BC Bereavement Helpline
1-877-779-2223
Recommended grief and bereavement reading list
Peer support resources
The Compassionate Friends of Canada (for parents who’ve lost a child of any age)
Healing Hearts Bereavement Support (for people who’ve lost someone to substance use related harms)
https://www.healingheartscanada.org
Bridge C-14 (Peer-to-peer connections and community support through all stages of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD))
*Source: Child and Youth Grief Network, 2016 Statistics Canada (Census of Canada and Mortality Data)