Bereavement support
Our palliative care and support continues with you even beyond the loss of a loved one, through professional and compassionate bereavement counselling.
Grief and bereavement in palliative care
Bereavement counselling is a confidential discussion with a trained professional when you’re experiencing grief. They will help explore the impact of your loss and identify coping strategies. Grief and bereavement are different for everyone, and seeking help early supports continued healing.
Who can use this service?
- Family and friends of someone who has died who was known to our palliative care hospitals or community palliative care services.
- It’s free of charge if you’re located in the Northern Sydney Local Health District or the South West Sydney Local Health District.
What we offer
Bereavement Counselling
Bereavement counselling is a confidential discussion with a trained professional when you’re experiencing grief. They will help explore the impact of your loss and identify coping strategies.
Grief and bereavement are different for everyone, and seeking help early supports continued healing.
Who can use this service?
Family and friends of someone who has died and who was known to our palliative care hospitals or community palliative care services.
Bereavement counselling is free of charge if you’re located in the Northern Sydney Local Health District or the South West Sydney Local Health District.
Grief & Bereavement Information Sessions
- General Grief and Bereavement
- Understanding Children’s grief following the death of a parent
- Grieving the death of your Spouse or Partner
- Men and Grief
- Surviving Christmas
Walking Groups
Facilitated by a HammondCare Bereavement Service Counselling team member, the walking group offers support for people experiencing grief following the loss of someone close to them.
These are an opportunity to meet with others in a similar situation and be authentic about how you are coping with your grief, while enjoying some exercise outdoors, providing contact with nature and enhancing wellbeing.
Who can use this service?
Anyone who is grieving the loss of a family member or friend and was known to our palliative care hospitals or community palliative care services in Northern Sydney Local Health District.
Walking groups are free to attend
Bereavement counselling is a confidential discussion with a trained professional when you’re experiencing grief. They will help explore the impact of your loss and identify coping strategies.
Grief and bereavement are different for everyone, and seeking help early supports continued healing.
Who can use this service?
Family and friends of someone who has died and who was known to our palliative care hospitals or community palliative care services.
Bereavement counselling is free of charge if you’re located in the Northern Sydney Local Health District or the South West Sydney Local Health District.
- General Grief and Bereavement
- Understanding Children’s grief following the death of a parent
- Grieving the death of your Spouse or Partner
- Men and Grief
- Surviving Christmas
Facilitated by a HammondCare Bereavement Service Counselling team member, the walking group offers support for people experiencing grief following the loss of someone close to them.
These are an opportunity to meet with others in a similar situation and be authentic about how you are coping with your grief, while enjoying some exercise outdoors, providing contact with nature and enhancing wellbeing.
Who can use this service?
Anyone who is grieving the loss of a family member or friend and was known to our palliative care hospitals or community palliative care services in Northern Sydney Local Health District.
Walking groups are free to attend
Bereavement counselling and how it can help
How it works
Bereavement counselling helps you:
- identify, understand and express your feelings
- access your own resources and ways of coping
- access information about the grieving process and what you may expect
- have an opportunity to talk about your loved one
- understand your grief and its impact
- adjust to a new life in the absence of your loved one
- discuss concerns with a sensitive, non-judgemental professional.
You and your counsellor will discuss what arrangements may be most helpful and/or you could also be referred to other appropriate services.
When it helps
Bereavement counselling may be useful when:
- things feel like they are getting worse over time
- your grief is negatively impacting your relationships with others
- you’re wondering how best to support your children, partner, parent or other family members
- you feel like there is no-one else you can talk to or you are unable to speak about your loved one with others
- you feel stuck in one feeling, like anger or guilt, for a long time
- you’ve persistent, distressing memories about the events surrounding your loved one’s death
- there are questions or challenges you wish to talk through with someone impartial.
Bereavement groups also offer support for people experiencing grief. The groups are free to attend and are facilitated by a bereavement counsellor online or face to face. Some specific groups include:
Bereavement Walking Groups
These are an opportunity to meet with others in a similar situation and be authentic about how you are coping with your grief, while enjoying some exercise outdoors, providing contact with nature and enhancing wellbeing.
Bereavement Male Counselling and Group
These are provided by a male professional counsellor for men of all ages who are grieving the loss of a family member or friend.
How to access
Accessing bereavement counselling or a group is simple.
We provide free confidential grief counselling to individuals and families through self-referrals. These sessions can happen face to face, by telehealth or over the phone.
This service has selection criteria for admission which will be sensitively discussed when you contact our service.
Bereavement Groups require registration to attend and are not suitable for children.
To talk about bereavement support or to begin counselling, contact us on:
- Northern Sydney LHD - 1800 427 255 or bereavement@hammond.com.au
- South West Sydney LHD - (02) 9756-8878 or braesidebereavement@hammond.com.au.
Or you can choose to make a referral now.
For a range of resources for those who are grieving or supporting someone who is grieving, visit our Resource Hub.
Bereavement counselling helps you:
- identify, understand and express your feelings
- access your own resources and ways of coping
- access information about the grieving process and what you may expect
- have an opportunity to talk about your loved one
- understand your grief and its impact
- adjust to a new life in the absence of your loved one
- discuss concerns with a sensitive, non-judgemental professional.
You and your counsellor will discuss what arrangements may be most helpful and/or you could also be referred to other appropriate services.
Bereavement counselling may be useful when:
- things feel like they are getting worse over time
- your grief is negatively impacting your relationships with others
- you’re wondering how best to support your children, partner, parent or other family members
- you feel like there is no-one else you can talk to or you are unable to speak about your loved one with others
- you feel stuck in one feeling, like anger or guilt, for a long time
- you’ve persistent, distressing memories about the events surrounding your loved one’s death
- there are questions or challenges you wish to talk through with someone impartial.
Bereavement groups also offer support for people experiencing grief. The groups are free to attend and are facilitated by a bereavement counsellor online or face to face. Some specific groups include:
Bereavement Walking Groups
These are an opportunity to meet with others in a similar situation and be authentic about how you are coping with your grief, while enjoying some exercise outdoors, providing contact with nature and enhancing wellbeing.
Bereavement Male Counselling and Group
These are provided by a male professional counsellor for men of all ages who are grieving the loss of a family member or friend.
Accessing bereavement counselling or a group is simple.
We provide free confidential grief counselling to individuals and families through self-referrals. These sessions can happen face to face, by telehealth or over the phone.
This service has selection criteria for admission which will be sensitively discussed when you contact our service.
Bereavement Groups require registration to attend and are not suitable for children.
To talk about bereavement support or to begin counselling, contact us on:
- Northern Sydney LHD - 1800 427 255 or bereavement@hammond.com.au
- South West Sydney LHD - (02) 9756-8878 or braesidebereavement@hammond.com.au.
Or you can choose to make a referral now.
For a range of resources for those who are grieving or supporting someone who is grieving, visit our Resource Hub.