Bereavement Services

There are as many ways of grieving as there are variations in people and their relationships.

We want to make sure it isn’t a lonely journey. We want you to have someone to talk with who understands. For nearly 20 years Swedish has offered grief support to our community. Swedish is currently offering a unique program of grief support with our trained peer volunteers. In our programs, we focus on two of the most effective ways to assist grieving people: education about grief and support.

First, participants will have the opportunity to talk about their loved one with a trained compassionate listener or be in a Zoom group with other grieving people. We believe this is especially important at this difficult time of global pandemic when sadly, so many of us are grieving alone. Second, learning more about the grief process and what current research says will help grieving people. We are here for you.

Current Offerings

Offered online, via Zoom.

Early Days of Grief

For the newly bereaved, we offer a single session that gives people in the first year of their loss an opportunity to learn more about grief, be introduced to some coping skills and self-care strategies, and gain some concrete ideas about healthy grieving that have been helpful to others. For some people, this is all the support they need on their grief journey.

To sign up, send us an email; please include your your phone number.

For those who would appreciate additional education and support we offer two different series.

Journey

For those who knew their loved one was dying, we offer the Journey series. This six-week series provides expanded information about coping skills, self-care strategies and current grief research. It also explores how grief can affect a family, the importance of understanding and feeling our feelings, learning about journaling, and an opportunity to create a project (of your choosing) that focuses on the life and qualities of your loved one.

To reserve your place, send us an email; please include your your phone number.

Traumatic or Suicide Loss

Traumatic or Suicide Loss is for those whose loved one died without warning – traumatically or by suicide. This eight-week series requires an intake interview. These losses have so many unique qualities. Generally, the course includes learning about trauma and suicide, and how sudden loss affects a grief journey. We also share information about helpful coping strategies like writing, art and other creative endeavors, and understanding our many feelings. Participants of this series are invited to create a project with a focus on the life and qualities of your loved one.

Call us for an intake interview, and we’ll suggest a plan that meets your specific needs and reserve your place. Call 425-640-4404 or send us an email with your phone number included.

Learn more

We are also glad to offer grief information and referral to other grief support programs in our larger community, a list of local grief- and trauma-trained therapists in this area and other resources needed upon request. If you have any questions about the program or would like to register your interest in one-on-one phone support or online groups, please contact the Bereavement Office. Call 425-640-4404 or send us an email (please include your phone number). We are honored to support you in your grief.