When a loved one dies, feelings of grief, loneliness and isolation can be overwhelming. To help support community members during a profoundly difficult time in their lives, Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region (BFO-MR) is launching its Living with Loss Program in Guelph in September.
“Sharing stories, experiences and coping strategies helps normalize the grief experience,” said Jaime Bickerton, BFO-MR executive director.
“Being in a room with people who empathize and understand what you’re going through is very powerful.”
Living with Loss is a monthly drop-in peer support group for adults grieving the death of a loved one.
Registration is not required and people are welcome to attend as often or as little as they would like. The group is offered free of charge and is facilitated by volunteers who are themselves bereaved.
“We are excited to be bringing this program to Guelph and for the opportunity to provide another support to individuals and families in this community who are grieving,” said Bickerton. “We are grateful for the support of a City of Guelph Community Wellbeing Grant and Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home for making this possible.”
BFO-MR’s Guelph group is launching Sept. 6. It will be held the first Wednesday of every month at the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home at 1099 Gordon Street.
For a complete list of dates and monthly topics, visit www.bfomidwest.org/our-programs/living-with-loss-guelph.
The Living with Loss Program is also offered in Mount Forest on the first Wednesday of each month, as well as in Kitchener and Cambridge on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
In addition to this monthly program, BFO-MR also provides eight- to nine-week peer support programs for parents grieving the death of an infant and parents grieving the death of a child.
These programs are currently offered in Kitchener and registration is required.
