Bereavement & Family Support Team

The Bereavement Service offers friendly support to people known to specialist palliative care, and have been bereaved at St John's Hospice, the Oncology Unit at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Westmorland General Hospital, at home or known to Cancer Care and the Community Macmillan Nurses.

Since no two people experience loss in the same way there is no way of knowing how this will affect us, or how long it will last. Grief is a natural healing response to bereavement but may cause powerful feelings that can be difficult to understand. Bereavement may also encompass many changes as we adjust to our future without someone who has meant so much to us.

What is Bereavement Support? Bereavement support is the opportunity to talk through the effects of your loss, with a sensitive person who can listen without being overwhelmed by your feelings. Your visitor can speak to you on the ‘phone, visit you in your own home or you may prefer to come to the Hospice. Sometimes it can be difficult to explain our feelings and everyone chooses to do this in their own way. You should receive a letter offering information and support; Please do not think that you have to wait to hear from us.

You are most welcome to contact us by telephoning the Bereavement Service Co-ordinator on 01524 382538 if you wish to talk, arrange a visit or require information relating to your bereavement. Someone from the Bereavement Service will usually contact you within 6-10 weeks following your bereavement, when you may choose to arrange telephone contact or a visit. Visits may last for about an hour and be arranged as frequently as you need from weekly to monthly. Some people like to talk about how they are feeling months, or even years, later. If this happens to you, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

How do I contact the Volunteer Service?

You can get in touch by contacting Mrs Christine Townson, Bereavement Service Co-ordinator at St John's Hospice - Tel: 01524 382538. She will then arrange for a volunteer to contact you.

Alternatively you can write to:
Christine Townson
Bereavement Service Co-ordinator
St John's Hospice
Slyne Road
Lancaster
LA2 6ST