Hospice Grief and Bereavement Services

Anticipatory Grief

Anticipatory grief often occurs when a loved one is in hospice care. Caregivers may experience a mix of emotions as they reflect on:

• Past: Fondly remembering the impact their loved one has had on their lives.
• Present: Facing the reality of their loved one's decline and managing daily caregiving tasks.
• Future: Preparing for life without their loved one and imagining how they'll cope.

Grief After Loss

After losing a loved one, grief manifests uniquely for each person. There is no "right" way to grieve,only what feels right for you. The loss of a loved one can bring an overwhelming range of emotions from deep sadness to moments of disbelief or even numbness. It's a journey that requires patience and compassion for yourself as every experience of grief is deeply personal.

Grief vs. Mourning

• Grief: The internal emotions and thoughts that accompany loss.
• Mourning: How you outwardly express those feelings through actions like ceremonies or rituals.

Timelines for Grief

Grief doesn't follow a set timeline. Some feel its weight immediately while others may take weeks or months to process their emotions. For many, anticipatory grief,a sense of mourning that begins before the loss occurs,may have already started prior to the hospice admission. At Polaris Hospice we understand these complexities and can begin providing grief services immediately for anyone in need, offering a compassionate space to navigate these emotions and find support.