Grief is normal. Grief is a natural response to loss. Grief is a process we must work through. At first you may feel shock and numbness. Shock acts as a buffer, allowing you to get done what needs to be done the first few months after a loss. As reality begins to settle in, the grief can affect people emotionally, physically, behaviorally, spiritually and/or psychologically. You may find yourself angry, even enraged over what has happened. You may suffer headaches, or be unable to sleep. You may sense the presence of your loved one. Grief can manifest feelings of guilt, depression, loneliness, etc. Some of these reactions may be so intense people can think they are going crazy. This is why it is important to learn about the process of grief so that you know and understand that what you are experiencing is a normal and natural response to your loss.
Caring assistance - The services offered by the Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes do not end after the funeral. We are committed to continue to provide comfort and care to family and friends following the death of someone loved.
Library - We maintain a lending library of books for adults, teens and children at the High Pointe Hospice House, 360 North Ave. in Haverhill. Subjects include coping with grief, explaining death to children, dealing with issues surrounding suicide and facing special days and holidays.
Farmer & Sons Aftercare and Merrimack Valley Hospice are co-sponsoring the following supportive programs on grief and loss:
Whenever grieving persons take the time to understand why they feel the way they do, they usually begin to learn how to cope with their grief. It's important to normalize what people experience and to lessen feelings of loneliness and being misunderstood by friends and family members. That's why we offer supportive programs to teach basic concepts to those in need.
Merrimack Valley Hospice is offering Grief Support Groups via Zoom:
(All groups run every other week)
General Loss:
Tuesday evenings.......5:00 - 6:30 PM
Loss of Spouse/Partner:
Tuesday evenings......6:00 - 7:00 PM
Wednesdays......11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Thursday evenings.....6:00 - 7:15 PM
Sunday evenings.....5:30 - 6:30 PM
Loss of Adult Child:
Tuesdays...... 10:00 - 11:15 AM (April 12 - May 17 six week session)
LGTBQIA+ Grief Support:
Tuesday evenings......5:30 - 7:00 PM
Workshop Groups - Virtual
Cooking and Eating for one - Monday evenings....5:30 - 7:00 PM (April 4 & May 2)
IN-PERSON
Wednesdays.....6:30 - 8:00 PM (May 4, May 25, June 15) at St. Michael's Parish in North Andover.
Kid's Grief Group - Tuesdays.......4:15 - 5:30 PM (April 12 - June 21 every other week) at High Pointe House in Haverhill.
Anyone interested in joining a group should call 978.552.4510 for more information on how to connect and participate.
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