Grief Circle

The Grief Circle is a peer support program for men and women in the Niagara Region who have experienced the death of a significant loved one. The eight-week peer support program will balance the importance of sharing your story and understanding grief.  Topics include grief and mourning, grief symptoms, memories, self-care, healing pathways, and the six needs of mourning.  All of our programs are run by trained Hospice Niagara volunteers.

Monthly Adult Support Program

This group is for those individuals who have completed the Grief Circle program and can join for 6 consecutive months. This group will focus on topics like loneliness, building a support network, baggage, meditation, and gratitude.

Last Tuesday of every month at 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm 

Grief Walk  

This is an opportunity to walk and talk with other individuals who are walking this grief journey. Grief Walk members will walk for 20 to 30 minutes and then go for coffee afterward. Members can be part of this walk for up to 13 months. Individuals may join this program at any time on their grief journey.

Grief Walk (St. Catharines-North) – Weekly on Tuesday morning

Grief Walk (Thorold) –  Weekly on Monday Morning

Please note: Due to the current COVID 19 restrictions, the Grief Walk will be temporarily suspended.

Mindfulness Hike

This Hike is an opportunity for bereaved individuals to connect with nature, embrace solitude, and be mindful of their natural surroundings. In Japan, this is referred to as Shinrin-yoku or "Forest Bathing". It has nothing to do with water but rather the immersion of oneself in nature. Individuals will be hiking 8 to 10 Km on various trails across the Niagara Region (e.g. Bruce Trail, Short Hills, etc.).

Saturday Morning from Spring to Fall

Intensity: Moderate to Difficult

Click here for more information

Bereavement Volunteer Peer Support

This program matches grieving individuals with trained Hospice Niagara Volunteers to provide emotional support focused on the individual’s grief. This is not formal counseling.  Individuals may join this program at any point in their grief journey.

Resource library - Hospice Niagara has a variety of books to assist in both anticipatory grief and bereavement. 

Registration is required for all of our bereavement support groups. Please contact Melissa Penner, Bereavement Advisor at 905-984-8766 ext. 233, to register for these programs and/or request additional information.

Please click here for the Bereavement Referral Form.