Bereavement Support Groups
The Canuck Place bereavement team invites you to attend Bereavement Support Groups
We recognize that the loss of a child affects everyone in the family. As part of our bereavement care, we offer various ways for families to connect with each other. Over the last months we have learned much about what is supportive to bereaved families. Most of all, we understand that being together in a compassionate community is essential, along with opportunities to begin to understand the nature of grief and process the complex, unique experience with peer support.
These support groups are intended for families up to three years after the loss of a child who was cared for by Canuck Place and who are at least six months bereaved.
In Person Group Sessions
Bereaved Parent/Caregiver and Sibling Groups (Bi-Weekly)
Our program offers concurrent parent and sibling groups to support families as they navigate grief together, while honouring how parents and bereaved siblings grieve differently. While parents gather and connect, siblings can be a part of their own dedicated group, where they will learn about their grief-related feelings, and explore their ongoing relationship with their brother or sister who died.
Parents are welcome to attend the Parent/caregiver group even if a sibling is not attending the concurrent sibling group
Dates: November 7 until mid–April 2025 (12 sessions)
Time: Thursdays evenings, 6:30–8 p.m.
Location: Canuck Place Vancouver – Glen Brae Manor | 1690 Matthews Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Age Group: Parent/Caregiver Group: 19+ | Siblings: 6-12
*Childminding and adapted programming will be available for children under 6
**Once registered, participants are asked to commit to regular attendance for the full series
Supporting Littles: Parent and Siblings Together
We offer three sessions for parents/caregivers to attend a peer support group together with their preschool aged siblings (ages 3–5). The sessions will be a time for parent/caregivers to connect with other families and young siblings to share their grief experiences through play, music, and developmentally appropriate activities. These will be facilitated by our music therapist and a member of our counselling team. A parent or caregiver is required to attend with the child. Interested participants will sign up for all three sessions with different themes. This is a pilot group so may continue or be offered after this series is completed.
Dates: November 8, November 22, and December 6
Time: 10–11 a.m.
Location: Canuck Place Abbotsford, Dave Lede House | 32772 Marshall Road, Abbotsford, BC
Age Group: Parents/caregivers together with their preschool aged siblings (ages 3-5)
Virtual Group Sessions
Monthly Drop-In Group for Parents/Caregivers
This monthly drop-in virtual group is intended for parents or caregivers who have attended a support group previously and are looking for an opportunity to re-connect with other parents, with less ongoing commitment. Participants are welcome to attend any number of sessions.
Date: October 21, November 18, and December 9
Time: 5–6:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Age Group: Adult family members 19+
Virtual Parent/Caregiver Group (Bi-Weekly)
The virtual parent/caregiver group is open to parents living across BC and Yukon. This group will be theme based, with each session exploring a grief-related theme or experience shared by bereaved families. This group will be facilitated by two counsellors, with the intention of stewarding connection and conversation between group members.
Dates: November 12 through mid–April 2025 (12 sessions)
Time: Tuesday evenings, 6:30–8 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Age group: Ages 19+
*Once registered, participants are asked to commit to regular attendance for the full series
Virtual Sibling Bereavement Groups (Bi-Weekly)
The Virtual Sibling Bereavement Groups offer space for children grieving the death of their sibling to share their experiences and build connection through a variety of grief-related activities and ways of expression, including discussion, art, play, and music. Topics may include: learning about the nature of grief, feelings, sharing memories, developing coping tools, rituals and ceremonies, and more. Gentle guidance from facilitators will create opportunities for children to participate in the ways that best suit them.
Dates: November 5 until mid–April 2025
Time: Tuesdays, 4–4:40 p.m. (Age 6–8) and 4:45-5:30 p.m. (Age 9–12)
Location: Zoom
Age Group: 6–8 and 9–12
*Once registered, participants are asked to commit to regular attendance for the full series
Complete the form below to express interest in Bereavement Support Groups