Grief and Bereavement SERVICES
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If you are an adult (aged 18 years and over), who has experienced the death of a loved one due to illness and are a resident of Etobicoke, you are welcome to connect with us. No prior connection to the hospice is required.
Please complete this referral form we will be in touch with you.
Referral Form
Or call the Hospice Services Coordinator on 416.626.0116 x 233
Please note that during the Covid-19 pandemic, our services are provided virtually or by phone.
Grief Groups
We Are Here For You
During this uncertain time we hope to connect with you and offer support. Our services are continuing remotely by phone or videoconference. All our services are offered at no charge. Do join us.
Understanding grief and loss for newly bereaved
Oasis
An open forum, drop-in group. Participants are invited to share what’s on their mind and heart. They bring questions, concerns and topics to address during this spontaneous group discussion. Dorothy Ley bereavement staff provide suggestions, insights and resources that focus on psychological, wellness, grief and spiritual care issues.

Bereavement Journeys
Bereavement Journeys is a supportive group environment where bereavement volunteers provide information to address common questions and concerns about grief. This is a 4-week education-based course offering the opportunity to learn about grief.
Parent-loss grief support group
A supportive and safe space for adults who have lost a parent to explore their grief with others who have experienced the same type of loss. This is an 8 week closed group, held on Zoom. Facilitated by bereavement staff.

Spousal-loss grief support group
A supportive and safe space for adults who have lost a spouse to explore their grief with others who have experienced the same type of loss. 8 week closed group, held on Zoom. Facilitated by bereavement staff.

Men’s coffee group
A space for bereaved men to connect and share experiences over coffee with other bereaved gentlemen, 65+. This is an informal coffee group is hosted by men, for men. Facilitated by trained bereavement volunteers. This group is intended for men who have completed other grief support groups or individual sessions.
Coping with the Holidays (Nov/Dec offering)

Individual Grief Support

One-to-one grief companion volunteer
One-to-one companionship with a trained bereavement volunteer offers a safe and non-judgmental space for you to talk about your grief and loss with someone who understands.
One-to-one bereavement counselling
One-to-one bereavement counselling with specialist bereavement staff offers a safe space to express and explore your individual response to grief and loss and to learn effective coping strategies.

Spiritual care

- Individual Spiritual Care sessions for psycho-spiritual interventions and care, clarification of ethical issues, and exploring strengths and existing connections with self, others and meaningful aspects of life
- Support for loss and grief
- Support for loss and grief
- Opportunities for prayer, meditation and reflection
- Support for Life Review and other legacy projects
- Connection to local faith communities and clergy
- Facilitation of ritual and ceremony design and support
- Facilitation of ritual and ceremony design and support
Self-Compassion Circle
Self-Compassion Circle Practice Group
Wellness Therapies
Guided Meditation Recordings
- 6-minute meditation
- 11-minute Body scan meditation
- 30-minute meditation
Individual Wellness Services Offered
Therapeutic Touch® is a holistic wellness therapy that incorporates a consciously directed process using the practitioner’s hands
to facilitate wellness and to bring about balance and harmony to the recipient. Therapeutic Touch®, can promote a relaxation response, reducing anxiety and stress. It can help to manage pain, improve sleep and foster a general sense of well-being. The practitioner can use a light touch or no touch at all. The individual receiving Therapeutic Touch® remains fully clothed and can be seated or lying down in a comfortable position. Therapeutic Touch® can also be offered remotely.

Reiki: is a holistic wellness therapy that involves the laying on of hands directly on or just above the body by a certified Reiki practitioner. Universal energy is offered to the recipient to help elicit a relaxation response. People often experience feelings of peace and an improved sense of well-being after a Reiki treatment. The individual remains fully clothed and is usually lying down in a comfortable position. Reiki can also be offered remotely.
Gentle Hand and Foot Massage: is a gentle massage to arms and hands and/or lower legs and feet. Very lightly scented essential oils or frgrance-free oils are applied with light pressure to help reduce stress and anxiety. The
individual remains fully clothed and is usually seated or lying down in a
comfortable position.
Acupuncture: is the insertion of fine needles into specific points along the energy pathway to restore the balance of vital energy. The effectiveness of acupuncture for pain relief, nausea, anxiety and addiction is well recognized by medical professionals
Art Kits: Art Kits provide therapeutic and mindful activities to help people calm their mind and thoughts. Each kit comes complete with the instructions and all supplies necessary to complete the mindful activity in the home. There are a variety of kits available including Kindness Rocks, Record Mandalas, Tibetan Prayer Flags and Word Marbles.

Group Wellness Services Offered
Restorative Yoga: Recharge your mind, body and spirit. Restorative Yoga poses help us to learn how to relax, rest and relieve the effects of stress. This gentle yoga class offers a compassionate practice of self-care and fosters rejuvenation. All levels of experience are welcome.
Meditation Groups: Weekly guided meditations and Body Scans to enhance relaxation, groundedness and clarity. Simple techniques involving body, breath and awareness will be used to help reduce stress. Meditation is an individual process and everyone’s experiences will be unique. This group is targeted towards beginners but all levels are welcome.
For more information about Wellness Services, please contact our Wellness Coordinator
Wellness Day Program
pmurphy@dlhospice.org 416.626.0116 x 228

Wellness Therapies
Therapeutic Touch® is a holistic wellness therapy that incorporates a consciously directed process using the practitioner’s hands
to facilitate wellness and to bring about balance and harmony to the recipient. Therapeutic Touch®, can promote a relaxation response, reducing anxiety and stress. It can help to manage pain, improve sleep and foster a general sense of well-being. The practitioner can use a light touch or no touch at all. The individual receiving Therapeutic Touch® remains fully clothed and can be seated or lying down in a comfortable position. Therapeutic Touch® can also be offered remotely.

Reiki: is a holistic wellness therapy that involves the laying on of hands directly on or just above the body by a certified Reiki practitioner. Universal energy is offered to the recipient to help elicit a relaxation response. People often experience feelings of peace and an improved sense of well-being after a Reiki treatment. The individual remains fully clothed and is usually lying down in a comfortable position. Reiki can also be offered remotely.
Gentle Hand and Foot Massage: is a gentle massage to arms and hands and/or lower legs and feet. Very lightly scented essential oils or frgrance-free oils are applied with light pressure to help reduce stress and anxiety. The
individual remains fully clothed and is usually seated or lying down in a
comfortable position.
Acupuncture: is the insertion of fine needles into specific points along the energy pathway to restore the balance of vital energy. The effectiveness of acupuncture for pain relief, nausea, anxiety and addiction is well recognized by medical professionals
Group Wellness Services Offered
Restorative Yoga: Recharge your mind, body and spirit. Restorative Yoga poses help us to learn how to relax, rest and relieve the effects of stress. This gentle yoga class offers a compassionate practice of self-care and fosters rejuvenation. All levels of experience are welcome.
Meditation Groups: Weekly guided meditations and Body Scans to enhance relaxation, groundedness and clarity. Simple techniques involving body, breath and awareness will be used to help reduce stress. Meditation is an individual process and everyone’s experiences will be unique. This group is targeted towards beginners but all levels are welcome.
Guided Meditation Recordings: If you are not able to make a group, Dorothy Ley Hospice Wellness volunteers have created Body Scan meditations that you can access at your own time.
Art Kits: Art Kits provide therapeutic and mindful activities to help people calm their mind and thoughts. Each kit comes complete with the instructions and all supplies necessary to complete the mindful activity in the home. There are a variety of kits available including Kindness Rocks, Record Mandalas, Tibetan Prayer Flags and Word Marbles.
For more information about Wellness Day Program, please contact our Wellness Coordinator
pmurphy@dlhospice.org 416.626.0116 x 228
