When my mother died, my daughter (19) was badly affected and I asked for counselling for her which was given. She had two sessions with your bereavement counsellor which was extremely helpful, especially as it was prompt.Family of a patient
All quotations are used with permission.
Bereavement support
The role of St Ann’s Hospice is far from over when someone has died: we can also help people come to terms with their loss.
What is bereavement support?
Most of us welcome talking to others when a person who is close has died – and usually rely on friends and family. But friends and family can also be grieving, so it can help to gain independent support; this is where St Ann’s Hospice can help.
Who can benefit from our bereavement support?
We can provide support to anyone who is connected to the patient who has died – whether that is a friend, family member, carer or partner. We usually send a letter to the main carer or relatives within six weeks of the bereavement to offer bereavement support. But anyone who was close to someone who died in receipt of a service from the hospice – either in-patient, day therapy or community services – can refer themselves by contacting the hospice direct.
In addition, families and carers receive an invitation to attend our monthly services of remembrance and thanksgiving (see below). This gives you the opportunity to talk to members of staff and ask for further support should you need it.
Bereavement visiting
We can provide bereavement support either at the hospice, or in your home, to give you an independent, listening ear and an understanding of grief and the difficult emotions experienced.
Our service is free and is completely confidential. The service is provided by professional hospice staff and trained, supervised volunteers.
You would initially have an assessment appointment with the co-ordinator of the service to discuss how we can best meet your needs before being allocated to a member of the team.
Service of celebration and thanksgiving
St Ann’s Hospice holds regular remembrance services, dedicated to patients who have recently died.
These services take place regularly, at different places of worship in the Heald Green area and at St Ann’s, Little Hulton. We send out invitations to family members, carers, friends or partners and everyone connected to the patient is welcome to attend.
During the service, the names of those who have died are read out and candles are lit in their memory.
Members of the St Ann’s Hospice team also attend the service and are available after the service, during refreshments, should you want to talk.
Tree of Lights service
St Ann’s Hospice also holds an annual Tree of Lights service at Manchester Cathedral, to celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died. You can, if you wish, put the name of your loved one in the ‘book of honour’ which is on display at the service and then afterwards at the hospice sites.