Bereavement services

Bereavement services offer counselling, education on grief, and support groups with other bereaved people based on need and are provided by HammondCare.

The HammondCare Bereavement Support team provides specialist counselling in person, online or on the phone to anyone who has experienced the death of a family member, carer or friend and was linked to palliative care services in Northern Sydney. One on one, couples and family counselling is available.

The bereavement service is based at Greenwich Hospital, Neringah Hospital and Northern Beaches Palliative Care Service and there is no cost for accessing this service.

Eligibility and referrals

All bereaved family and friends living within NSLHD can access HammondCare bereavement information and support groups.
Family and friends living within NSLHD whose family member was known to a palliative care service can access individual counselling.
Interpreters can be arranged for counselling if needed, and their services are free of charge.
Self-referrals are accepted through theHammondCare website or phone 1800 427 255 or email [email protected].

In addition to counselling, the Bereavement Support Team also provides:

Grief and Loss Online Information Sessions (2-3 online sessions a month)

Understanding grief and loss
Children’s grief following the death of a parent
Grieving the death of your spouse or partner
Men and Grief
Adult children and grieving parents
When someone with dementia dies in the family
Surviving special occasions and anniversaries

Grief Information Presentations in Languages other than English (as requested)
Online Grief Counselling Groups
Services of Remembrance
Bereavement Walking Groups

They are facilitated by a staff member from the HammondCare Bereavement service team, with support from volunteers who are trained in grief and loss.
The walking groups are an opportunity for bereaved people to meet with others in a similar situation and be authentic about how they are coping with grief, whilst enjoying some exercise outdoors and practicing mindfulness.
Supportive environment without it being a formal counselling setting.
The bereavement service team are actively involved in these sessions in assessing possible bereavement risks in the community, i.e., risk of mental health, isolation, or homelessness.

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