Welcome to the BC Bereavement Helpline
The BC Bereavement Helpline (BCBH) is here for you. We are a non-profit, free, and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services within the province of BC. Whether you are looking for bereavement support groups, community events, information on BC Bereavement Day, information on how to donate or to volunteer with us you will find it here. Please call the BC Bereavement Helpline and speak with one of our caring volunteers for information on our bereavement support groups, agencies, and peer-based support.
Your call is free, confidential, and anonymous. We will help you find the most appropriate support for your specific type of loss.
September 11th, 2017 Sisters in Strength Wellness Retreat – Spots Available
The BC Bereavement Helpline is hosting a two day “Sisters in Strength Wellness Retreat” at Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem in Agassiz on Friday October 13 to Sunday October 15, 2017.
This special two-day retreat is open to up to 25 Indigenous women who are family members of one of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), and is free of cost. The focus of the retreat is self-care and wellness. We want to bring together Indigenous women to connect and share in each other’s strengths in a positive, sacred, trauma and culturally-informed environment. Please click here for more information about our organization and this retreat.
If you, or anyone you know, would like to take part in this retreat, please contact us immediately at 1-877-779-2223 or contact@bcbh.ca for more information or to apply.
This retreat is supported by the Province of British Columbia.
September 11th, 2017 Suicide Loss Support Group/Vancouver
The BC Bereavement Helpline and the Crisis Intervention & Suicide Prevention Centre of BC are hosting a grief support group in Vancouver for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. The group will run Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30pm, from September 13 to November 1, 2017.
Pre-registration required; cost is $120, with subsidies available if necessary.
There are a few spots remaining – please contact us to register.
For more information call 604-738-9950 (or toll-free: 1-877-779-2223) or email contact@bcbh.ca.
September 11th, 2017 Support Group for the Loss of Children by Suicide or Overdose/Langley
BCBH member The Langley Hospice Society is offering a 10-week support group for parents who have lost children by suicide or overdose. For each person who dies by suicide or overdose, their loved ones live on in overwhelming grief and isolation. Please come and connect with others who understand.
When: Wednesday evenings starting September 27 through November 29, 2017
Time: 6:30 – 9:00pm
Where: Supportive Program Centre at 20660 48th Avenue, Langley B.C.
More information: please contact Linda at 604-530-1115 or at lindasheridan@langleyhospice.com.
August 8th, 2017 Suicide Loss Support Group/Surrey: September 14 – November 2
BCBH member and partner Valley View Funeral Home, in Surrey, is hosting a Suicide Loss Support Group starting Thursday, September 14 and running for 8 consecutive weeks through November 2, 2017. Time is 6:30 – 8:30PM. With this group you will be able to share your experiences with others who can relate to this type of loss. You will find relief from isolation.
This group will take place at Valley View Funeral Home at 14660 72nd Avenue in Surrey. There is no cost to take part.
Please call Marlyn Ferguson at 604-596-8866 for intake or interview and to register. You may also email Marlyn at mferguson@arbormemorial.com.
August 8th, 2017 Homicide Loss Support Group/Surrey: September 15 – November 3
BCBH member and partner Valley View Funeral Home in Surrey (14660 72nd Avenue) is hosting a Homicide Loss Support Group for those bereaved by homicide starting Friday, September 15 and running for 8 consecutive weeks until November 3, 2017. Session times are 2:00 – 4:00PM. There is no cost to participate in this group.
Being with others who have experienced similar losses has proven to break feelings of isolation and create long-term networks of support. This support group provides a safe, non-judgmental, compassionate environment for individuals to share their stories and learn essential grief and mourning survival tools that can be integrated into their daily lives.
Please email Marlyn Ferguson at mferguson@arbormemorial.com, or call her at 604-596-8866 to register and arrange a time for an intake interview.
July 3rd, 2017 Crisis Response Following Sudden Death Training
BCBH will be hosting free training sessions for victim service workers supporting individuals and families who have been bereaved by a sudden death. Training sessions will be offered in:
- Nelson – September 22, 2017
- Nanaimo – October 20, 2017
- Mission – November 24, 2017
For more information, see our training page.
June 2nd, 2017 PODCAST SERIES “VOICES OF RESILIENCE”
On Monday, May 29th BC Bereavement Helpline, the parent organization of BC Victims of Homicide, launched the original 5-part podcast series, “Voices of Resilience,” in support of National Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, May 28 – June 3, 2017.
Each day that week, a new story of resilience in the face of traumatic crime was posted on this page. All podcasts are available on our videos page.
May 19th, 2017 2016-2017 BCBH Annual Report
Our 2016-2017 Annual Report has just been released! Please click here: BCBH AR-2016-17 Final