Bereavement Services at Priscilla Bacon Lodge
A comprehensive bereavement service is the cornerstone of the holistic care at a hospice. As this falls beyond the remit of core NHS care, the Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity funds this vital service, which is delivered in partnership with Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
Our vision is to provide in-person support for patients, their families and loved ones before, during, and after bereavement in a way that meets the needs of the individual, for as long as that support is needed.
Understanding Bereavement
Bereavement, a universal experience, ushers in significant life changes. The death of a loved one triggers a unique and often overwhelming grieving process, marked by intense and unexpected thoughts and emotions.
Grief, a natural response to loss, manifests differently for everyone. There is no prescribed way to grieve, and the journey is rarely smooth. Moments of shock, disbelief, numbness, confusion, and fear may intertwine with feelings of anger, loneliness, and a sense of longing for the departed. Everyday tasks might seem challenging to manage, yet you may also encounter moments of feeling okay and in control, allowing you to engage in day-to-day activities.
Adjusting to life without the loved one is a gradual process, its duration influenced by factors such as the relationship, circumstances of the death, prior experiences with loss, and the support network available. The grieving journey has no set timeframe.
Common emotions and reactions during bereavement include sadness, anxiety, irritability, guilt, fear, and loneliness. Physical and mental exhaustion, changes in sleep patterns, dreams or nightmares, and altered appetite are also typical responses. It’s crucial to recognise that experiencing these reactions is entirely normal and does not signify an inability to cope.
In this difficult time, know that you are not alone, and seeking support is a valuable step in navigating the complexities of grief. Please find details of the services we offer to help you below.
Monthly Bereavement Drop-In Session
“I was nervous about coming along; but when I arrived, everyone was friendly, and it was helpful to talk to other people who are going through a similar situation to me.”
Attendee of a Bereavement Drop-In session
Bereavement Support Group
Our 8-week Bereavement Support Group is designed to help you understand your grief, make sense of overwhelming thoughts and emotions, and connect with others who share similar experiences, which provides mutual support.
Facilitated by our trained Bereavement Counselling Team, these groups often lead to lasting relationships, with individuals meeting informally after the group sessions have finished.
Please email the Bereavement Counselling Team for further information and to request a place in the group: bereavementsupport@priscillabaconhospice.org.uk
Places are limited, however further groups will run throughout the year. A member of the team will contact you for a brief telephone assessment to determine your suitability for the group.
2024 dates:
- Wednesday 25th September
- Wednesday 2nd October
- Wednesday 9th October
- Wednesday 16th October
- Wednesday 23rd October
- Wednesday 6th November
- Wednesday 13th November
- Wednesday 20th November
Time: 3:00-5:00pm
One-to-One Counselling
Returning to normal life after a death can be challenging, and some may need extra support to navigate their loss and the associated thoughts and feelings. Our trained Bereavement Counselling Team offers support face-to-face, online, and over the telephone. You may only need a few sessions, while others may require longer term support.
To make a referral, please call the Bereavement Counselling Team on 01603 776622. Following an assessment, you’ll be offered one-to-one counselling tailored to your needs if this is considered appropriate.
Services Coming Soon
‘Living with Grief’ – One-off sessions for those recently bereaved, to help you understand and navigate the early stages of grief. Dates coming soon.
When funds allow, we hope to extend the service into open-access bereavement counselling; providing psychological counselling and other support for anyone who has been bereaved.
Contact Us
For more information about Bereavement Services at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, please contact Rachel Cowles, Bereavement Services Lead, at bereavementsupport@priscillabaconhospice.org.uk, or call 01603 776622.
We have provided some further contacts below.
When you may need to seek help
If these feelings of grief interfere with your activities of daily living, such as sleeping and eating.
If these feelings become intrusive and persistent, or come to you in nightmares or flashbacks, or become so overwhelming that you think you may harm yourself or another.
Please contact your GP, The Samaritans by calling 116 123, or call 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support.
Useful contacts and links
NHS England: call 111 and choose option 2 for urgent mental health support
Norfolk County Council Bereavement Support
NHS Guidelines – Coping With Bereavement
Good Grief Trust
Grief Encounter
Wellbeing – NHS Norfolk and Waveney Talking Therapies
Sue Ryder
Rosedale Bereavement Support Groups
Cruse Tel: 0808 808 1677
Widowed And Young
StrongMen (men 18+)
Nelson’s Journey Tel: 01603 431788 (bereaved children and young people)
Winston’s Wish (bereaved children)
Compassionate Friends (bereaved parents and their families)
