Bereavement Services
Adventist St. Thomas Hospice bereavement services are open to all community members dealing with loss, free of charge. All programs meet at Adventist St. Thomas Hospice, 8230 S. Madison Ave. in Burr Ridge, unless otherwise noted. Please call 630-856-6990 for upcoming dates or to register for a specific program. These programs and services include:
This ongoing, adult support group meets every Monday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Teens for Teens
This grief support program is designed specifically to meet the needs of teenagers who have experienced the loss of a close friend or family member. Teens for Teens proposes that teens can be best supported through the grief process by providing them with opportunities to express their feelings and thoughts in a variety of ways in an atmosphere where they feel safe and respected.
The next session will meet for six weeks from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays beginning on September 25th, 2008. Please call Heather Kochen at (630) 856-6985 for more information. Sign up Now!
This grief support group is for children ages 4-12 who have experienced a significant loss due to death. Each session meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays for six weeks in the Spring and Fall. An adult/parent support group meets at the same time for those interested in attending. The fall session will begin on September 25th, 2008. Please contact Rosie Cohen at (630) 856-6993 to register.
Tommy's Kids also hosts a five-day summer camp for children ages 5-12 who have experienced the death of a family member or friend. Camp is held at Arabian Knights Farms in Willowbrook and will run from Monday, July 13th, 2009 through Friday, July 17th, 2009. Camp meets daily from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. rain or shine. To learn more about camp please contact Heather Kochen at (630) 856-6985 or check out the article on this year's camp in our 'News' section on our website. Sign up Now!
Adult Loss of a Parent
This grief support group is for adults who have experienced the death of a parent. The next group is slated to begin October 1st, 2008 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will run for seven consecutive weeks. Please contact Rosie Cohen at (630) 856-6993 for questions or to register for the upcoming session. To read more about this support group click on our 'News' link on our home page.
L.E.O. (Let's Eat Out)
Dinner and socialization with others who have experienced losses. Meets every other month on the third Wednesday at Willby's Restaurant, Willowbrook Holiday Inn.
Memorial Service
An annual candle lighting service honoring those patients who have died in the past year. This year's service was held on Sunday, February 17, 2008 from 3-4pm at St. John of the Cross Church, 5005 Wolf Road in Western Springs. The service is open to the community.
Other Services
- Six bereavement mailings and follow-up phone calls throughout the 13 months
- Access to individual counseling
- Referrals to professional support outside Adventist St. Thomas Hospice program. This includes bereavement support groups available within the Adventist Health System.
- Tree of Rememberence: Families are invited to participate and honor their deceased loved one at this annual holiday event.
- Community education on grief and loss
- Bereavement library
- Support through the holidays, which include mailings, counseling and presentations