Healing, Holding, and Hope: Walking with Families Through Grief

End of life is a journey that families walk together. But when that journey ends, another one begins—a journey of grief, healing, and eventually, hope.

At Vivie, we believe that supporting families during this next chapter is just as important as the comfort and care we provide through end-of-life care. That’s why our hospice team offers up to 13 months of bereavement support after a loved one passes. From the very beginning of care, we’re not just supporting the person receiving services—we’re walking alongside the people who love them.

Why grief support matters.

When people hear the word grief, they often think about the moment someone dies. But grief can start long before that. For some, it begins when a loved one starts needing help with daily tasks. For others, it’s the slow realization that roles are shifting—that the parent who once cared for them now needs care themselves. We’ve seen children grieving the loss of guidance they used to receive from their parent. We’ve seen spouses grieving the simple daily rhythm of being needed.

And after someone passes, the grief can deepen—not just for the person who is gone, but for the life you had with them. The routines. The conversations. Their laugh. The need they had for you. All of that matters, and all of that is part of the grief.

That’s why our support doesn’t stop when hospice care ends. It’s our opportunity to continue caring for the people who were left behind.

How we walk with families.

Once a person begins receiving hospice care, our team prepares to support their loved ones. We use an assessment to understand what kind of support might help. For some, that looks like regular phone calls or in-person visits while the loved one is still alive. For others, it starts after the funeral, when the quiet moments begin to settle in.

We stay connected in ways that feel personal and manageable—through phone check-ins, grief resources, and invitations to grief support groups. We know there’s no timeline for grieving. Some people connect with us for a few months. Others stay longer. We’re here either way.

One of our favorite sayings about grieving is, “You can move forward, even though you haven’t moved on.”

That’s something we try to remind families of—because moving forward doesn’t mean leaving someone behind. It just means finding ways to carry them with you as you build a life that still has joy, even amid loss.

Creating a space where people can be honest about their grief.

We feel so fortunate to have team members who are not just experienced and skilled, but also deeply compassionate. Our service is designed to be flexible because we know that every person and every grief journey is different. We serve people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences—and we want everyone to feel welcome and supported.

We talk openly about mental well-being. Grief can show up as anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, or even physical symptoms. And we want people to know that it’s okay to talk about that and ask for help. We’re here to remind people that they’re not alone—and that healing is possible.

Moments that remind us why this work matters.

Each year, we host memorial dove release events. They’re truly something special. Families gather to share memories and release doves in honor of the people we’ve lost. And every year, people come up to us and thank the team for their support during the hospice journey. We’re incredibly proud to offer something that creates space for remembrance and community.

We’ve also seen family and friends return—not just for events, but to serve. Many have reached out to become volunteers, saying, “I just feel called to do this.” That’s one of the most meaningful things we see—people who were grieving stepping into roles where they can help others on the same journey.

Our mission, in action.

At Vivie, our mission is to enrich, empower, and elevate people throughout life’s journey. That doesn’t stop at journey’s end. It carries on in how we care for families. Grief is sacred. And offering support through that grief is one of the clearest ways we live out our values of faith, people first, and a servant heart.

We hope every person we serve feels that care. We hope they know they matter—to us, and to their loved ones’ story. Whether our role is big or small, we’re honored to walk with them.