At Arbor Hospice, grief support groups offer an opportunity to gather with other individuals who have experienced loss. Meal groups have become a favorite for some, offering a casual, approachable way for those who have lost a spouse or partner to be in community with each other over a shared meal.
Lead by volunteers, meal groups are held both at lunch and dinner time at local restaurants. For many, it is a time of socializing and comradery, and also reflection and connection over shared emotions, providing a tremendous therapeutic benefit.
Annette G., an Arbor Hospice volunteer who has been helping with meal groups for almost 10 years, describes the groups as a “safe space” for everyone, whether their spouse or partner was a patient of Arbor Hospice or not. Typically, her group has about 15 attendees, some of which have been coming since she started. Throughout her years, she has seen how these long-time attendees provide grace, support and experience to newcomers who are recently experiencing grief.
“It has become, many would say, like an extended family as people share wonderful memories and show photos from their phones. Attendees feel that they are enveloped into a private, kind and supportive space to share their time with others who’ve walked through similar feelings.”
She notes, “The circle of support from attendees always makes my heart full as I listen and learn from everyone that sits around the table. It’s a tremendous gift to our community.”
Join a grief support group today or contact Melissa McCreedy at mmccreedy@HOM.ORG
Do you want to volunteer? Click here!
At meal groups, each person pays for their own dinner. All other grief support services are available at no-cost to anyone in the community thanks to donor generosity and community partnerships.