Using a community networking approach in a bereavement program

Abstract

This paper reviews the history of St. Anthony's Hospice and Life Enrichment Program. St. Anthony's provides bereavement counseling and death education to the community using a networking approach involving the educational, religious, social, and mental health organizations in the area. At present, this model features a church satellite program, grief recovery and anticipatory grief seminars, on-going bereavement support and social support groups, volunteer speakers' bureau, a volunteer staffed bereavement team, and training of psychology, nursing, and medical students.