Grief Support

While grief is the normal and natural response to the loss of someone important to you, each person’s grief is unique. It is a process that takes time. Our qualified bereavement counselors can help you navigate the grieving process.

Support Through the Grief Process

After you have lost a loved one, you may be asking yourself: “Why can’t I get over it?” You may experience many emotions: anxiety, worry, guilt, loneliness.

All of these thoughts and feelings are normal. The grieving process has no timetable, but if these emotions are interfering with your life, you may need professional help.

Our services are designed to help you navigate grief at your own pace. We offer grief support to individuals and families as they cope with the emotional, social and financial stresses associated with life-limiting illness and loss.

Throughout the year we host a number of grief support events and programs for the communities we serve.

Support Groups

We offer 6 Week Bereavement Support Groups throughout the year. The purpose of these support groups is to provide an atmosphere of trust and acceptance in which participants may freely share their experiences, struggles, feelings, and concerns as well as their strengths, solutions, and joys. The groups will encourage participants to create friendships and network with each other.

We offer these activities at no cost to any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one, even if they were not a patient of Coastal Hospice.

One-On-One Support

For our Four Lower Shore Communities: Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester.

If interested in one-on-one phone support or in-person meeting are available by request.
For more information, contact: Alvin Harmon by email aharmon@coastalhospice.org or phone 410-742-8732 Ext. 440

6-Week Loss of Spouse/Partner Grief Support Group – Worcester County

Mondays| Apr 17– May 22
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Macky & Pam Stansell House
See calendar for full details: www.coastalhospice.org/events/loss-of-spouse-partner-grief-support-group-worcester-county/all/

6-Week Loss of Spouse/Partner Grief Support Group – Wicomico County

Mondays | Apr 17 – May 22
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
2604 Old Ocean City Rd, Salisbury, MD
See calendar for full details: www.coastalhospice.org/events/loss-of-spouse-partner-grief-support-group-wicomico-county-2/all/

Memorial Gatherings

During the summer and fall, Coastal Hospice hosts four community-based memorial ceremonies. Anyone is welcome to attend this non-religious event where we recall the names and memories of loved ones and honor them. Please visit our calendar for upcoming gatherings and to register: www.coastalhospice.org/events/

Dorchester County Memorial Gathering
Tuesday, June 6
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Dorchester County Visitor Center
2 Rosehill Pl, Cambridge, MD 21613

Somerset County Memorial Gathering
Tuesday, August 8
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
J Millard Tawes Historical Museum
3 9th St, Crisfield, MD 21817

Wicomico County Memorial Gathering
Tuesday, September 19
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Salisbury Riverwalk Amphitheater
210 S Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury MD 21801

Worcester CountyMemorial Gathering
Tuesday, November 3
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Ocean City Fishing Pier
401 S Atlantic Ave,Ocean City, MD 21842

Pediatric Grief Support

We offer two grief support programs for children that provide tools to cope with loss and assist on their grief journey.

Camp Safe Harbor

Camp Safe Harbor is a summer day camp open to children ages 6 to 12, who have experienced a primary loss in their life…the death of a parent, grandparent, sibling or other closely connected person. The camp offers a safe place for these children to express their grief, to explore the many emotions that accompany the death of someone close, and to learn age-appropriate coping skills that will assist them on their grief journey. Camp Safe Harbor is hosted through a partnership between Coastal Hospice and Salisbury University and will be held on the University’s campus. The camp begins with a family event on Monday evening, June 27, 2022 and is followed by three days (June 28-30) filled with fun and activities for the campers. For more information or to reserve a spot for your child, call 410-742-8732 ext. 619. The camp is limited to 30 campers. For further details, please visit our calendar at www.coastalhospice.org/events/camp-safe-harbor/

Hope & Healing with Horses

This program for children ages 6-to-14 is held annually at a local horse farm. Bereavement staff and volunteers guide the children and their families through their feelings, teaching them strategies to express grief and reduce stress and isolation. The event is free and open to any child who has experienced the loss of a loved one during the previous two years. Due to COVID-19, Hope & Healing with Horses will resume in 2022.