All sessions are open and available for anyone mourning the loss of a loved one
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Sept. 13, 2021) – Hospice of Michigan (HOM) is returning with some face-to-face support groups along with virtual sessions throughout the fall for Michiganders experiencing the loss of a loved one.
The ongoing sessions offer individuals the choice of in-person, virtual or hybrid meetings, depending on their comfort level and preferences.
With the return of some face-to-face opportunities, safety measures will be in place for all in-person group meetings. Hospice of Michigan will be following CDC guidelines in light of the continued spread of COVID-19 and its delta variant to ensure the health and wellness of all who attend and continue providing bereavement support to the communities safely. HOM will continually monitor this spread to shift in-person events to virtual if necessary and notify attendees of any changes prior to the event.
The ongoing sessions are highlighted by the Living On group series, where the focus is to express feelings and experiences related to the loss of a loved one in a supportive, caring, and non-judgmental environment. Grief and loss topics are addressed as they arise, depending on the interests of those attending the group.
The following grief support events are scheduled to take place:
In-Person Groups
- 3rd Tuesday of the month | 1-2:30 p.m.
- Location: Eton Senior Recreation Center, 4900 Pardee Ave. in Dearborn Heights
- RSVP with Jackie Morris at 313-578-6328 | jmorris@www.hom.org
- 2nd Wednesday of the month | 1-2 p.m.
- Location: Hospice of Michigan, 932 N. Mitchell St. in Cadillac
- RSVP with Will Gasper at 231-444-3350 | wgasper@www.hom.org
- 1st Thursday of the month (starts in October) | 1-2 p.m.
- Location: Hospice of Michigan, 989 Spaulding SE in Ada
- RSVP with Carly Whetstone at 616-443-2581 | cwhetstone@www.hom.org
- 3rd Friday of the month | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Location: Royal Oak Senior Center, 3500 Marais Ave. in Royal Oak
- RSVP with Cynthia Palmer at 248-334-1323 | cpalmer@www.hom.org
Fly and Remember – Royal Oak & Ludington
Fly and Remember gives people a chance to recall a special time in their youth and honor a loved one
at the same time. Attendees will be provided kites and the materials needed to personalize and fly their
kite in memory or in honor of a loved one. This is a family-friendly memorial event open to all ages.
- September 11 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Royal Oak: Starr Jaycee Park, 1321 West 13 Mile Rd.
- Ludington: Ludington Waterfront Park, 1300 S. William St.
- Contact: Cindy Palmer: 248-334-1323 | cpalmer@www.hom.org
Men’s Grief Lunch Group
A meal-centered lunch group for men who have lost a spouse or partner. Facilitated by volunteer Larry Dugan.
- 2nd Wednesday of the month | 1-2:30m.
- Location: American Legion, 658 Michigan St. NE in Grand Rapids
- RSVP with Carly Whetstone at 616-443-2581 | cwhetstone@www.hom.org
In-Person Groups with Virtual Option (Zoom)
- 1st Tuesday of the month | 6-7m.
- Location: Hospice of Michigan, 43097 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills / Zoom
- RSVP with Cynthia Palmer at 248-334-1323 | cpalmer@www.hom.org
- 2nd Tuesday of the month | 6:30-7:30m.
- Location: Hospice of Michigan, 400 Perry Ave. in Big Rapids / Zoom
- RSVP with David Keller at 231-527-0913 | dkeller@www.hom.org
Virtual only (Zoom)
- 1st Wednesday of the month | 2-3:30m.
- RSVP with Jackie Morris at 313-578-6328 | jmorris@www.hom.org
- 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month | 1-2:30m.
- RSVP with Jackie Morris at 313-578-6328 | jmorris@www.hom.org
Living On – Young Adults
An open, ongoing, monthly group for people in their 20s and 30s. Facilitated by Hospice of Michigan grief counselors.
- 1st Monday of the month | 6-7:15m.
- RSVP with Wes Lawton at 586-263-8514 | wlawton@www.hom.org
Living On – Loss from COVID
A grief support group for people who have experienced a death of a loved one from COVID. This group will meet monthly to discuss topics of grief and loss. Facilitated by Hospice of Michigan grief counselors.
- 3rd Wednesday of the month | 6-7:15m.
- RSVP with Jackie Morris at 313-578-6328 | jmorris@www.hom.org
Living On – Loss of Spouse or Partner
Come and share, or simply listen, as the group discusses the various intricacies and many facets of grief after the loss of a spouse/partner.
- 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month | 2-3:15m.
- RSVP with Kjirsten Boeve at 231-929-1557 | kboeve@www.hom.org
- 4th Tuesday of the month | 6-7:15m.
- RSVP with Stacy Malenfant at 989-358-4295 | smalenfa@www.hom.org
Living On – Adult Loss of Parent
An open, ongoing, bi-monthly group for people who have lost a parent.
- 2nd Wednesday and 4th Tuesday of the month | 6:30-7:30m.
- RSVP with David Keller at 231-527-0913 | dkeller@www.hom.org
Living On – Loss of Adult Child
An open, ongoing, monthly group for those who have lost an adult child where grief and loss topics are addressed as they arise, depending on the interests of those attending the group.
- 2nd Thursday of the month | 10:30-11:45 a.m.
- RSVP with David Keller at 231-527-0913 | dkeller@www.hom.org
Men Overcoming Loss
This online support group is for men who are dealing with the death of a loved one.
- 1st Tuesday of the month | 6-7:30m.
- 3rd Tuesday of the month | 6-7:15m.
- RSVP with Will Gasper at 231-444-3350 | wgasper@www.hom.org
or Wes Lawton at 586-263-8514 | wlawton@www.hom.org
Grief After Dementia – Caregiver Support Group
For anyone who has lost someone to Alzheimer’s Disease or other type of dementia. In partnership with Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter.
- 2nd Tuesday of the month | 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- RSVP with Carly Whetstone at 616-443-2581 | cwhetstone@www.hom.org
Care Mapping Series
Who are your supports, what affects your mood, how can you best practice self-care while grieving? It
is not always easy to answer these questions, but using tools to help observe and visualize your supports and environment, Hospice of Michigan grief counselors will compassionately assist participants in answering them.
- 4 Thursdays: Sept. 16 – Oct. 7 | 6-7 p.m.
- Facilitated by Jen Norber and Karen Monts
- RSVP with Karen Monts at 313-578-6326 | kmonts@www.hom.org
Loss of Spouse/Partner with Ron Gries, Author of “Through Death to Life”
Hear Ron’s authentic and hopeful story of living through his wife’s illness and death, and of his grieving
and healing. Ron will share excerpts of his book and discuss how writing helped him on his journey.
- Tuesday, Sept. 21 | 12-1m.
- RSVP with Kjirsten Boeve at 231-929-1557 | kboeve@www.hom.org
“We are so pleased to announce the return of in-person sessions again this year with the flexibility of virtual and hybrid sessions so that attendees can choose what works best for them in their time of grief,” said Karen Monts, grief support services director for Hospice of Michigan. “We look forward to continuing to provide these critical bereavement services to anybody who needs them.”
For more information on Hospice of Michigan’s virtual grief support groups across the state, please contact Karen Monts at kmonts@HOM.ORG or (313) 578-6326. You can also visit www.hom.org or call (888) 247-5701.