Duke Community Bereavement Services

Support Groups & Schedule

Many grieving persons feel alone and misunderstood in their grief. Duke Hospice's bereavement program offers a variety of bereavement support groups to help break down that isolation, bringing survivors together to share their common sorrows and unique strengths in an atmosphere of mutual acceptance and encouragement.

Support groups provide education and support for participants -- they are not intended to be therapy sessions. Participation is limited to one group at a time, though persons may attend sequential groups for up to one year. We generally recommend a waiting period of three months following the death before registering for a support group, and can provide individual counseling in the interim.

Support groups are time-limited (usually eight consecutive weeks) and have the same persons attending each week. Pre-registration is required, and participants are expected to commit to attending all sessions. The registration fee is $25. This fee does not apply to family members who were served by Duke Hospice, and can be adjusted for others if necessary.

Our General Loss groups are appropriate following the death of a parent, spouse/partner, sibling, or friend. We also offer loss-specific groups which focus on:

Loss of a child
Loss due to suicide (Lifeline)
Loss due to homicide
Loss of a sibling
Grieving families (for children and their surviving caregivers)
Older teens

We periodically offer shorter workshops that address grief issues through the creative arts. In addition, we provide Holiday Hurt workshops for adults and children to help survivors cope with the winter holiday season.

For more information or to register for a group, please call (919) 644-6869.

Group Member Comments

“How do you thank someone for giving you the opportunity I just had to share my soul with six other amazing women? How do you thank someone for running a program that doesn’t feed on greed AND offers hope and a safe haven for grief and pain to be expressed? There are no words to say ‘thank you’ that would adequately suffice.”

“Being able to be completely open and honest about my feelings in a very caring setting was most helpful.”

“It was most helpful knowing that others understood and I was not being judged…being able to speak my true feelings while they truly listened and cared, without trying to fix it or to get away.”

“The handouts given in class were very useful. I find myself referring back to them often when I feel unbalanced and ungrounded. A seed of hope and awakening has been planted and I hope it will grow every day as I encounter the new life ahead!”

Support Group Schedule:

Registration required for all groups. All groups and events will be held at our Hillsborough office (1001 Corporate Drive, Hillsborough, NC) unless otherwise indicated.

GENERAL LOSS GROUPS

(Death of any family member or friend)

Jan 26—Mar 16 (Tues)

10:30 am - 12:00 noon

Mar 29—May 17 (Mon)

6:30 - 8:30 pm

Monthly Drop-In

Third Wednesday of each month at

2:00—3:30 pm

Teer House

4019 N. Roxboro Rd., Durham 27704

LOSS SPECIFIC GROUPS

(call for more information)

Lifeline (Loss due to suicide)

Loss of a Child

Family Connections (K– 8th grade)

Jan 14 - Feb 25 (Thurs)

6:00-8:00 pm

SPECIAL EVENTS

Camp ReLEAF (K-8th grade)

May 1 & 2 (Saturday and Sunday)

Camp New Hope

Registration required

Brick Dedication

May 13 (Thurs) 5:30 pm

Carver Gardens

Registration required. This service is for those who have purchased a memorial brick in Carver Gardens. If you are interested in purchasing a memorial brick, please call Danielle Irving at 919-620-3853.

Service of Remembrance

May 13 (Thurs) 6:30 PM

Carver Gardens

No registration required

WORKSHOPS

Holiday Hurt

(select one of the following dates)

November 17 (Tues) 6:30-8:30 pm

1001 Corporate Dr. Hillsborough, NC 27278

December 3 (Thurs) 6:30-8:30

4019 N. Roxboro Street, Durham, NC 27704

Registration required for each

Kid’s Holiday ReLEAF (grades K—8)

December 10 (Thurs) 6:00-8:00 pm

Registration required

Dialogues on Grief

A series of educational and supportive group discussions on grief and loss. You may attend any or all of the dialogues.

January 25 - March 1 (Mon)

Time: 6:30-8:00 pm

Where: Durham Office

4321 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27704

Registration: Not required. Questions? Please call 919-644-6869

Fee: Donations only

Open to all members of the Triangle Community.

Duke Hospice Bereavement Services

1001 Corporate Drive

Hillsborough, NC 27278

919-644-6869