Bereavement

Bereavement refers to a period of mourning before, during and after a loss, and grief in reaction to the loss. Bereavement care is an important part of the hospice experience and includes anticipating grief reactions and providing ongoing support for the bereaved over a period of 13 months. UR Medicine Home Care offers our Bereavement program to the community at no charge.

How Bereavement Support Helps

Losing a loved one isn’t easy to prepare for or accept. Grieving is a healthy and normal response to loss. We provide support through the bereavement process and can help individuals and families heal. We’re available to provide you or your family with as much or as little assistance before or after a loved one has died, at no cost. Our Bereavement Program is an extension of our hospice care and helps address feelings of loss, grief or sorrow through:

• Individual or group support
• Community referrals to trained bereavement professionals as needed
• Special programs and services, such as education or training
• Quarterly letters
• The annual Memorial Butterfly Release
• The Evening of Remembrance held annually to honor loved ones
• Trained bereavement volunteers that offer massage, Reiki, energy work, spiritual care and who provide regular supportive phone calls

Local Support Groups

Monroe County

• UR Medicine Home Care, 2180 Empire Blvd. Webster, NY 14580: Mondays at 1:00 pm. This group will provide support to young adults who have lost a spouse/significant other. Facilitated by Michele Allman, LMSW VNS Bereavement Coordinator.  
• UR Medicine Home Care, 2180 Empire Blvd. Webster, NY 14580: Tuesdays at 11:00 am. This group provides support to anyone who has experienced a death of a loved one.  Facilitated by Michele Allman, LMSW VNS Bereavement Coordinator.

• St. Thomas More Church, 2617 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14610. Wednesday at 2:00pm. This new group will provide support to anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one. Facilitated by Nora Fennessy.
• St. Thomas More Church, 2617 East Ave. Rochester, NY 14610. Tuesday Evening at 6 pm. This group will provide support to anyone who has experienced the death of an adult child. Facilitated by Bonnie Serio.   

Zoom Meeting:

• Tuesday at 6:00pm.  Group provides support to anyone who has experienced the death of a parent. Facilitated by Maura Hollaran. 

Please call Michele Allman (Monroe County), LMSW at 585-274-4069 for any questions or to make a reservations. One to one supportive counseling is also available. 

​Ontario and Yates Counties

Zoom Meetings:

• First and third Tuesday's from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
• Fourth Tuesday 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. .

UR Medicine Hospice (Ontario and Yates Counties) – Jan DiDuro at (585) 736-7857, or email at Janice_DiDuro@URMC.Rochester.edu for any questions or to make reservations.

Specialized Support for Children

The agency offers Camp Heartstrings/Camp Dreams. A three day bereavement camp for children entering grades 2-11 in June/July.  For information, please visit urmhomecare.org or call Michele Allman, LMSW 585-274-4069

Insurance Coverage

The hospice benefit provides bereavement care to families and loved ones in the year following a patient’s death. Additionally, bereavement services to the community, including counseling and support, are provided at no cost.