NMMC HOSPICE PLANS BEREAVEMENT SERVICE

TUPELO, Miss.—Grief is overwhelming and can be frightening. Although it is a healthy and natural process, many people worry if they are grieving in the “right” way and wonder if the feelings they are experiencing are normal.

The North Mississippi Medical Center Hospice Program offers bereavement care to help area hospice families confront the physical, emotional, behavioral and spiritual reactions that accompany the loss of a loved one.

“Everyone’s encounter with grief is different, and each person finds a way through the process in his or her own time,” says Beth Loudermilk, bereavement coordinator, NMMC Hospice Program. “Our services are designed to help family members realize that grief is a normal part of everyday life, and coping skills are available that can help them deal with their loss in a healthy way.”

Bereavement services include counseling before and after death, practical help with daily living and referrals to community programs and support groups.

“We spend a lot of our time educating families on the normal experiences and reactions that occur with grief. People often feel sorrow, guilt and anger in the early stages of grief. They may even feel alone and withdraw from social contact, but it is very important that they do not keep to themselves. They need to be able to talk about what has happened to them. Our staff stresses to family members that our door is always open, and we are always here if they need our assistance,” Loudermilk says.

The NMMC Hospice staff stays in contact with family members for 13 months following the death of a hospice patient through phone calls, cards and bereavement care visits. Also, a memorial service is held twice a year to provide area residents an opportunity for sharing memories and feelings with others who understand the grief process.

“The memorial service is a wonderful occasion for families to recognize and remember the loved ones who have passed away during the year. It also gives family members a chance to reunite with our staff and interact with other people who are experiencing grief,” she says.

The NMMC Hospice Program will host this year’s memorial service at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1400 Clayton Ave., Tupelo.

“Dealing with grief is hard work, and people need a lot of reassurance that what they are going through is normal. That’s why we are here, to help them understand the process of grief as well as provide insight on the changes that will occur in their life as a result of the loss of a loved one,” Loudermilk says.

For more information on the bereavement care offered by the NMMC Hospice Program and other available services, call (662) 377-3612 or 1-800-THE DESK (1-800-843-3375).

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