Loss is an inevitable part of life, often eliciting painful emotions but also providing opportunities for personal growth. However, when it comes to the loss of a loved one, the grief and anxiety can be traumatizing beyond words. In palliative care, bereavement support is essential to helping those close to the deceased find closure and cope with their loss.
Our community bereavement services were established in 1997 with the opening of the Jessie and Thomas Tam Centre (JTTC). Driven by the motto “Those who died could rest in peace whilst those who stay could be at ease”, JTTC offers comprehensive grief and bereavement support services to dying patients, family caregivers and the newly bereaved. The centre is conveniently located in the heart of Kowloon and, as its Chinese name suggests, strives “to bring peace in a homelike environment to those in need”. In 2017, the Jockey Club Home for Hospice (JCHH) became a centre for community bereavement counseling in the New Territories.
The death of a loved one is one of life’s most painful experiences. The loss can trigger a broad range of reactions including feelings of loneliness, depression, loss of appetite and avoidant behaviours. Most people are able to work through their grief and eventually move on but some may find it more difficult to come to terms with their feelings or become overwhelmed by their loss that it begins to affect daily life. In these cases, we offer professional bereavement counselling services to both our patients and their family members.
The standard rate for Bereavement Counselling Services is HK$800 per session but through the generosity of our donors, the subsidized rates are as follows:
If you or someone you know is in need of bereavement services, please call us at (852) 2331 7000 or email us at service@hospicecare.org.hk to schedule an appointment with our clinical team.