Bereavement Group
‘When we lose someone we have loved deeply. We are left with a grief that can paralyse us emotionally for a long time. People we love become part of us. Our thinking, feeling and acting are co-determined by them. Our fathers, our mothers, our husbands, our wives, our lovers, our children, our friends … they are all living in our hearts. When they die … a part of us dies too. That is what grief is about: it is about that slow and painful departure of someone who has become an intimate part of us.’
From Eternal Seasons: A Liturgical Journey with Henri Nouwen
Who are we?
The Bereavement Group has been a part of the parish life for a number of years. All members of the group are part of the on-going training and development of the Bereavement Befriending Service offered throughout the Diocese who aims to help meet the needs of those who are bereaved.
What do we do?
At present the group offers support to those grieving by sending a card and our leaflet at the time of a loved one’s death ~ this allows us to offers our sympathy, thoughts and prayers as part of our parish family and lets people know more about our group also we are involved in service which takes place for the Reception of a body into the Church prior to the funeral. At the end of each month, on a Saturday morning, we offer a ‘quiet space’ to remember our deceased loved ones during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, this time together includes music and silence. Refreshments are provided afterwards. We also hold an annual Service of Remembrance in November each year.
As a befriending service, we endeavour to offer support to individuals in the parish who are grieving where possible within the recognition that we are not a professional counselling service.
Further information is available from Fr Basil.