Article taken from Thurrock Gazette
A BEREAVEMENT support group for those who have lost loved ones has been launched in Thurrock.
Family funeral business, West & Coe, which was formed in Dagenham in 1903, is now running a service at the Thurrock Christian Fellowship in Chase Road, Corringham and from West & Coe in Lodge Lane, Grays.
The support programme H.O.P.E, which stands for Helping Overcome People’s Emotions in Grief, is being led by Peter and Mary Howe from Thurrock Christian Fellowship.
West & Coe Managing director, Jeremy West, said: “Offering a high level of care and support during a funeral is important but we are conscious that it is afterwards especially through the difficult days which may follow, where many people genuinely struggle to cope.
“We are therefore delighted to have established a structured programme which is designed to help support people and to show the grieving process is normal and there is hope for the future.”
The support group H.O.P.E which was launched in June 2006 in Dagenham, has already proved to be a major benefit to the many people who have attended.
The six week programme is offered at no cost to those attending and is a combination of education and interaction in a safe and friendly environment.
During the sessions important issues such as, what is grief, confronting our emotions – guilt, anger, loneliness, grief attacks and making adjustments, are looked at to help make sense of what for many is a traumatic and emotional experience.
Over the last two years a number of Church Groups, Age Concern and significantly St. Francis Hospice have realised the value of this unique programme and now use it as their main bereavement support within their organisations.
