Bereavement Support

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Bereavement is the grief and mourning experienced by the loss of a loved one.

Tips & Links

The loss of a spouse, partner, or child is the most intense loss that people experience. People experience many types of loss when they are diagnosed with a health condition or are involved in a life-altering accident. Loss may be of a partner, loss of independence, and loss of physical and mental capacity.

Loss & Grief

• Learn about ways to people of all ages who are experiencing loss and grief from Healthlink BC.
• Explore ways to cope with grief and bereavement personally and to support others through the process from ementalhealth.ca.
• Learn about preparing for end-of-life and ways to prepare yourself emotionally from Dying with Dignity BC.
• Know that you are entitled to a 3-day bereavement unpaid leave for the death of an immediate family member Government of BC.

Find Support

• Consider contacting the trained volunteers at BC Bereavement Helpline – Toll free at 1-877-779-2223 or email them with your concerns.
• It can be an emotional and devastating time; consider connecting with counsellors who specialize in death and dying and bereavement support through Counselling BC. 
• Connect with other families and friends for peer support after saying farewell to a loved one from the Maid Family Support Society.
• Learn how other families and family caregivers are coping with the loss of a loved one through Family-Caregivers of BC.
• Check if your workplace offers Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) including free counselling services to employees and their families, including grief support.
• Call 8-1-1 for information and resources on bereavement support, mental health services, and counselling options available in BC.
• Look for bereavement support from your cultural spiritual advisor, religious groups, or faith communities.
• Access hospice care services for both patients and families dealing with end-of-life issues, offering emotional and practical support during grief.

Tools & Videos

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