Grief Services
Everyone has a right to grieve — and everyone grieves differently. As the region’s leading provider of grief support services, at CareFirst we understand grief.
Whether you have lost a child, a parent, a friend, whether you have suffered an unexpected loss, or whether your loved one experienced a long illness, professional counselors from CareFirst Grief Services can help you find the sources of strength that will carry you through.
CareFirst Grief Services includes group counseling, one-on-one support sessions, memorial services, healing spaces, grief packs for kids, educational outreach, and many hands on age appropriate workshops and events.
Our staff is comprised of caring professionals who understand the unique needs associated with grief. We tailor our services individually to meet unique needs. The services provided offer support and guidance to help individuals adjust to loss and regain hope and purpose in their lives.
In addition to traditional counseling and support groups, our Grief Services team is honored to offer a range of workshops and events to meet your grief needs. These are open to the public, even if your loved one was not on hospice. For more information, call 607.962.3100 or email griefservices@carefirstny.org.
What is Grief?
Grief is the reaction a person has to the death of someone important to them, or the loss of something important to them. It involves the whole person, including emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual reactions.
If you have lost a loved one, it is natural to grieve. Grief is a normal response to death or loss. Grief gives us a chance to reflect on the relationship with our loved one, and gives us time to find new strength to continue. A grieving person’s task is not to let go but rather to find a different way to hold on.
The major elements of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, grieving, acceptance, and reestablishment.
Mental reactions include
- anger
- guilt
- anxiety
- sadness
- despair
Physical reactions include
- changes in appetite
- weight loss or gain
- physical problems
- general poor health
- fatigue and sleeping problems
Social reactions include
- changed emotions with regard to family members
- loss of interest in social or work life