Bereavement Support and Counseling

Our Fall 2022 Memorial Service. Please join us in this ceremony of remembrance.

Our Spring Memorial service took place at the 23rd Annual Walk for Dignity on Sunday, April 24, 2022.

Grieving the loss of a loved one can be painful, isolating, and lonely. Iowa City Hospice’s grief support services are available to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one, regardless of whether the person was in hospice care. We can also assist with other challenging transitions. There is no cost for any of the bereavement services provided by Iowa City Hospice.

We offer a variety of grief support services, including 1:1 counseling, support groups, education, special events and bereavement groups for children, youth and their parents/caregivers.

Bereavement and grief support services include:

• Individual and Family Support: Our Bereavement Staff remain available to you for individual and family bereavement support and information. They are readily available for:
  In-person support and information
  Phone support and information
  Video Conference support and information
  Support and information via email

• Grieving Your Loss: A professionally led support group for persons who have experienced the death of a loved one. The group meets the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of each month.
  • Evening session: 5:30 – 6:30pm; held in person, at Lensing’s Kirkwood Room, 515 Kirkwood Ave., in Iowa City (masks are required and provided)

• Grief Coffee Group: A social coffee group, open to all bereaved, provides an opportunity to connect and share common experiences. Dates and locations TBD; call the office for more information.

• Understanding Your Grief: a six-week grief class sponsored by Iowa City Hospice. Iowa City Hospice is pleased to offer a six-week grief class: “Understanding Your Grief” is an adult class that will provide grief education and support to individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one.
  • 5:30 to 7pm on the following Mondays: September 19 and 26 & October 3, 10, 17, and 24
    In person at Iowa City Hospice, 1526 Sycamore Street, Iowa City.
  • There is no cost to attend, but space is limited, so pre-registration is required.
    No previous involvement with hospice is necessary. For questions or to register,
    please call 319-351-5665 or email Ed.Moreano@iowacityhospice.org.

Memorial Services

• Honoring Memories: A butterfly release event to remember loved ones. Join Iowa City Hospice staff and volunteers for a September afternoon of healing and remembrance, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the camaraderie of friendship and shared experience.

• Time of Remembrance: Walk for Dignity Memorial Service. Join Iowa City Hospice staff and volunteers prior to the start of the spring Annual Walk for Dignity as we remember loved ones served by Iowa City Hospice.

Also, we encourage you to explore these events sponsored by Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service:

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (YTT) A self-help support group for any adult who has experienced a death. Meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Kirkwood Room in Iowa City, from 5:15 – 6:30 pm. Call 319-338-9171 for more information.

Breaking Bread A monthly dinner for those who have experienced a loss. Breaking Bread is not a support group, but does offer a safe, supportive environment for grievers to share a meal and socialize. 5:30 – 7pm, third Wednesday of the month. Please call Lensing Funeral & Cremation to make your reservation.

For additional support information, please visit our Downloadable Resources page.

For more information, please contact a member of our hospice team at 800-897-3052, toll-free, or info@iowacityhospice.org.

We would be honored to serve you.