Five Community Resources to Help You Cope With the Death of a Parent

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Mother’s Day. Father’s Day. Birthdays. Holidays.

These special occasions are supposed to be filled with joy and thanksgiving, but for those who have lost one or both parents, the events are tinged with unrelenting sadness and grief. These anniversaries serve as a constant reminder that those they loved are no longer by their side. When these dear people leave our lives, they leave a huge, empty space that no one can fill.

Everyone processes grief in a different way, and there is no “right” way to go through it. There is no certain time that you should be “over it,” despite what ill-advised acquaintances may tell you. We understand that dealing with the emotional trauma of losing a parent presents specific challenges.

At Lower Cape Fear LifeCare (formerly Lower Cape Fear Hospice), we want to be sure you have information about the extensive, local resources available to help you through the stages of grief.

Five local resources to help you cope with the death of a parent

  1. Hospice bereavement services

We have extensively trained, compassionate, bereavement counselors who offer compassionate support. We offer free grief counseling to hospice family members for up to 13 months after a patient’s death. However, there are also services for those whose parents were not in hospice care. We have short-term individual counseling to help you process and work through this difficult and often devastating experience.

  1. Support Groups

We understand the importance of encouragement and compassion, so throughout the year Lower Cape Fear LifeCare offers free support groups that focus on coping with the death of a parent. For information on times and locations, you can contact us at 910-796-7991.

  1. Local clergy

If you are a person of faith, we have found that deeply held religious beliefs can be a source of comfort and strength. We urge you to contact your priest, rabbi, minister or other religious leader. Many of these clergy receive specific training in grief counseling and may have helped other members of your congregation who have gone through similar trials.

If your parent died while at a hospital, consider utilizing the services of a hospital chaplain and the spiritual support team. These chaplains often help families cope with untimely and unexpected deaths.

  1. Licensed professional counselors

Sometimes, processing grief and working through any unresolved issues may take several years and require more intense help and treatment. We believe that no one can rush the grieving process, and often the death of a parent brings several other troubling issues to surface. Licensed professional counselors can help you work through your grief as well as refine and develop coping skills to help you face any additional challenges.

  1. The Healing Journey Newsletter

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare provides this newsletter for families for 13 months after a patient’s death. If you would like more information, please call 910-796-7991.

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Coping with the death of a parent takes time

We have helped hundreds of family members undertake the difficult journey you may be undergoing now. We are your community resource and we are glad to assist you regardless of whether or not your family member was in hospice care. Please contact us at bereavement@lcfh.org  for any information.

We wish you hope, love and peace as you process grief one day at a time.

 

Since 1980, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare has served hospice patients and their families throughout southeastern North Carolina, serving patients where they live – in their homes, hospitals, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities. For more information on how to start the conversation about hospice, please call 1-800-733-1476.