About Bereavement Service
Good Samaritan Hospice’s (GSH) Bereavement Service team supports those who are grieving by providing connective programs and services for up to 13 months after the death of your loved one. Grief can be an experience that feels very lonely, but with our assistance it is a journey that you do not have to walk alone.
Our program includes the following services:
- Mailings related to grief and loss
- Phone calls from the bereavement team
- Grief support groups at multiple locations
- Supportive visits from the Bereavement Coordinator
- Referral information for counseling and support services in the community
- Youth Bereavement Care from birth to 21 years of age
- Annual Butterfly Release celebrations of life (Summer)
- Workshops
- Memorial Services (Spring)
- 1:1 short-term individualized support
Get More Information About Bereavement Services
Current/Upcoming Grief Support Groups
Good Samaritan Hospice offers virtual groups for those who prefer the platform. These sessions can offer the same quality of relationships, guidance and healing from the comfort of one’s own home.
Virtual:
- Virtual Support Group
- Purpose: This group will provide participants the ability to share with others who have also experienced the loss of someone close to them. These small, informal groups normally have about 4 to 7 people in each session.
- Start: Friday, April 5, 2024, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Meetings: from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Friday, virtually.
- Duration: Five weeks (through May 10, 2024.)
- Registration: Required is closed.
In-Person:
- Monthly Grief Support Group (Baden, Pa)
- Purpose: This free grief support group will be led by GSH Spiritual Care Coordinator Claire Gray and will provide an opportunity to share with others who have also experienced the death of someone close to them.
- Start: Wednesday, April 10, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Meetings: 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays (April 10, May 8, June 12, Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Dec. 11) at Concordia Villa St. Joseph, 1040 West State St., Baden, Pa 15005.
- Duration: Through 2024.
- Registration: Not required. Participants are encouraged to attend any meetings they can.
- Weekly Support Group (Baden, Pa) (Spring 2024)
- Purpose: This free grief support group will be led by GSH Spiritual Care Coordinator Claire Gray and will provide an opportunity to share with others who have also experienced the death of someone close to them.
- Start: Wednesday, April 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Meetings: Every Wednesday, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Concordia Villa St. Joseph, 1040 West State St., Baden, Pa 15005.
- Duration: Six weeks (through May 10, 2024.)
- Registration: Not required. Participants are encouraged to attend any meetings they can.
- Weekly Support Group (Baden, Pa) (Fall 2024)
- Purpose: This free grief support group will be led by GSH Spiritual Care Coordinator Claire Gray and will provide an opportunity to share with others who have also experienced the death of someone close to them.
- Start: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Meetings: Every Wednesday, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at Concordia Villa St. Joseph, 1040 West State St., Baden, Pa 15005.
- Duration: Six weeks (through Nov. 20, 2024.)
- Registration: Not required. Participants are encouraged to attend any meetings they can.
Stay tuned! More groups will be announced soon.
Hospice Volunteer
Volunteers are always welcome and needed. All volunteers must complete a volunteer application form, per the Hospice Medicare Regulations, and receive training from the Good Samaritan Hospice staff – the amount of training depends upon the area of volunteer interest. Volunteers choose the amount of time they wish to volunteer as well as the geographical areas in which they wish to serve.
Because hospice patients have diverse needs, Good Samaritan Hospice welcomes individuals and groups (church, school, community) with varied skills. Our volunteers have been gardeners, hairstylists, artists, musicians, carpenters, quilters, housekeepers, and writers. Every special skill and talent can be used when you are a hospice volunteer.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Provide companionship and support to patients
- Give caregivers much needed breaks
- Help in our inpatient units (Wexford and Beaver)
- Run errands, light laundry, housekeeping
- Share prayer or spiritual support
- Cook or bake
- Play music or sing
- Visit with a therapy pet
- Provide massage therapy
- Help patients write or tell their life stories
- Assist staff with administrative tasks and special events
Click here to view the standard application. Once the application opens in a new window you can either: 1) print and mail the completed application to 116 Browns Hill Road, Suite 100,
Valencia, PA, 16059, Attn: Volunteer Coordinator, 2) print, complete, scan, and email the completed application to our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@good-samaritanhospice.org or 3) fax a completed application to us at 724-933-8844.
For more information, please fill out the form below or call the Volunteer Coordinator at 724-933-8888 or toll-free at 1-800-720-2557.
Get More Information About Hospice Volunteering
Upcoming Bereavement Events
- April 21: Memorial Service (Freedom, PA,) 3 p.m., at .
- April 28: Memorial Service (Cabot, PA,) 3 p.m., at
Event dates and locations may change.
Butterfly Releases
The butterfly has long been a symbol of hope for people around the world. The caterpillar disappears into a cocoon, appearing dead to all around. Later, it emerges, having transformed into something more beautiful and powerful than it was.
Early Christians adopted the butterfly as a symbol of resurrection, of Easter joy. The creature reminds us of its Creator, who sent His Son into unassuming human flesh, who died and was buried in a tomb, who rose again, and who promises life to all who trust in Him. The butterfly is a natural testimony to us of Jesus’ words, “Because I live, you shall also live.” (John 14:19b)
Our annual Butterfly Release, hosted by Good Samaritan Hospice, a mission of Concordia, represents some of the many bereavement support services designed to guide the patient’s family and friends through the challenges of grief as they adjust to loss.
Related Bereavement Service Content
The Importance of Grief and Youth Bereavement Care | Podcast
Concordia Events: 2022 Year in Review