Community Care
Hospice Huntsville provides support to Huntsville and surrounding area which includes Port Sydney, Baysville, Dwight and Dorset. Supports are available to permanent residents and those staying at their cottages or visiting for a brief stay family in the area.
We provide support to people who have received a life limiting diagnosis, and their family. Our supports can be available from the time of the diagnosis through to end of life and bereavement.
Hospice Huntsville Volunteer Visiting program is Accredited through Hospice Palliative Care Ontario. This can help to assure you that our supports are high quality and meets provincial best practices for palliative care.
Our well-trained Volunteer Visitors add to your existing circle of care (family, care givers, PSW, nursing, medical etc.). They provide nonmedical supports in the comfort of your home. Their role is to support you, your caregiver(s) and family by providing companionship, emotional support, listening and practical assistance, including respite.
Our Volunteer Visitors are thoroughly screened through an application, interview process which includes completing a Vulnerable Sector Police Check. They complete approximately 30 hours of preliminary training and orientation. Additionally, Hospice Huntsville is committed to providing regular on-going training and mentorship for our Volunteer Visitors. Along with their training, volunteers bring with them, their natural gifts, talents, and life experiences.
To request visiting volunteer support:
For more information, to request a Volunteer Visitor, or to make a referral, please contact
Pam Martin, Visiting Volunteer Program Coordinator (705) 789-6878 ext. 229 or email pam@hospicehuntsville.com
Our well-trained Grief and Bereavement volunteers provide non-clinical grief support. Their role is to offer you compassionate support to you on your grief journey. Hospice Huntsville provides support to Huntsville and surrounding area which includes Port Sydney, Almaguin Highlands, Lake of Bays area: Baysville, Dwight and Dorset. All grief support services are at no charge.
Adult Grief Groups: Seven-week groups are offered in Spring and Fall. Small groups allow participants to learn, share, offer support and gain insight into to their personal journeys. Participants should allow 3 months from the date of the death of their loved one before joining a group support program.
grief@hospicehuntsville.com or
705-789-6878 Ext. 200Adult Companioning: One to one support can be provided early in bereavement. Typically, six one- hour appointments are available at a schedule that works for the individual and volunteer.
December 2025
Grief during the holidays is especially difficult, as a response to this the Grief and Bereavement volunteer team felt the need for two Drop-In’s during the busy and difficult season.
Join us for any of our two Drop-In’s. Any individual experiencing grief from the death of a loved one in the Huntsville and surrounding area is invited.
If you have not accessed our programs before and are curious to learn more, you are invited to join us earlier for an information session and Q&A.
📅 Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 2pm for Q&A + 2:30pm – 4:00pm open Drop-In
📅 Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 6pm for Q&A + 6:30pm – 8:00pm open Drop-In
Teen Support: Referrals to this individual support can be made directly to Hospice Huntsville or through the guidance office at Huntsville High School. Working with the guidance office can facilitate support to be offered during the school day at a time that makes sense within the student’s schedule. This can help reduce transportation barriers.
Children’s Support:
This six- week program is offered as an afterschool program for children who have experienced a significant loss through death or divorce/ separation. Small groups run twice per year, typically in late fall and spring. Our program is for elementary school children.
Referrals accepted throughout the year.
For further information or to make a referral, please contact Jamie Nguyen, our Grief and Bereavement Program Coordinator (705) 789-6878 Ext. 200 or email: grief@hospicehuntsville.com
Hospice Huntsville along with the local library branches and the Huntsville High School bring to you “The Butterfly Project” A Tribute to Children’s Grief Awareness Day & National Grief & Bereavement Day.
All ages are invited to colour/craft a beautiful Remembrance Butterfly.
There will be Hospice volunteer/staff on hand to provide support and guidance. (see dates/times below) Local support information, specific library books on grief and bereavement and a small take away gift for all participants.
A beautiful butterfly display a symbol of hope and transformation will grace Hospice Huntsville’s new Community Hub, where our Grief and Bereavement programs take place.
Come meet Hospice Huntsville Staff and Volunteers!
Huntsville High School (HHS Staff & Students)
Date: November 18th, 2025. Time: 11:30am-12:30pm
Baysville Public Library
Date: November 18th, 2025. Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Huntsville Public Library
Date: November 20, 2025. Time: 10am-11am
Dwight Public Library
Date: November 20th, 2025 Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
Grief and Bereavement Programs are available through in person groups or on an individual basis . Please contact Jamie Nguyen, Grief & Bereavement Program Coordinator at Hospice Huntsville (705) 789-6878 Ext. 200 or email: grief@hospicehuntsville.com for further information. We are also accepting referrals for future Grief Support Groups. All of our programs & services are no charge to our community members.
The next Adult Grief Support group session will begin Fall 2025. All grief support programs are at no charge to participants.
To register, or for further information on the program, please contact our Jamie, Grief & Bereavement Program Coordinator (705) 789-6878 Ext. 200 or email: grief@hospicehuntsville.com
About the Program:
Trained facilitators will guide group participants as they cope with the death of a loved one. The program is intended to give people a sense of belonging and show that they are not alone in their suffering. The small groups allow people to share and experience healing.
Each session runs for seven weeks.
Referrals accepted throughout the year.
Hospice Huntsville also offers support on a one on one basis. Our trained volunteers provide support to individuals who are dealing with a death of a loved one. Our Grief and Bereavement Program Coordinator carefully matches the individual with a Hospice Huntsville volunteer.
Do you know a child who has lost someone or something close to them?
Do you know a child dealing with the difficult emotions associated with grief?
Do you know a child who needs a safe place to talk about their feelings?
We Are Here to Help
Our six week Children’s Support Program is designed to help children process grief issues due to the loss of a loved one through death, divorce or separation, or the loss of something they treasured, giving them the opportunity to identify and express their feelings in a helpful way.
Our program is for elementary school age children.
Visit our Children’s Support Program page
Referrals accepted throughout the year
Support for high school age students available at Huntsville High School.
Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association
The CHPCA is the national voice for Hospice Palliative Care in Canada. Advancing and advocating for quality end-of-life/hospice palliative care in Canada, its work includes public policy, public education and awareness
Canadian Mental Health Association:
Provides tips and general information on coping with grief and additional supports in local communities.
Information and support on palliative and end of life care, loss and grief.
Bereaved Families of Ontario :
Offers peer based support at no cost to those in need.
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario
Hospice Palliative Care Ontario is a provincial association for hospices and palliative care providers, professionals, and volunteers throughout Ontario.
‘Quality palliative care helps you honour your culture, spirituality and traditions. At LivingMyCulture.ca, people from various cultures share their stories and wisdom about living with serious illness, end of life and grief to support others’
MyGrief.ca: Because losing someone is hard
‘Tools to help you understand grief and work through some of the difficult issues you may be facing’
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network:
Free group and individual peer-support services offered to families across Ontario.
The Reflection Room
Creating space to pause, reflect and share experiences with dying and death.
‘Grief support for the rest of us. You don’t have to grieve alone. What’s Your Grief? is a place for grief education, articles, sharing, support & more’
A Network of Peer-to-Peer Connections and Community Supports Through All Stages of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
“We recognize that the support received by a grieving child or youth can significantly influence his/her wellbeing. As a result we aim to connect individuals and organizations who provide services and resources that benefit children and youth who are grieving a death.”
Free online resource that helps parents support their children when someone in their life is dying or has died. It equips parents with the words and confidence to help children grieve life’s losses in healthy ways.
Young adults and teens are shattering the silence of living with advanced illness by creating a webspace of their own. Their stories are unscripted, unfiltered and unforgettable, offering help when it is needed most
Adults
“A Parent’s Guide to Raising Grieving Children” by Phyliss Silverman and Madelyn Kelly: A gentle and compassionate guide to understanding the unique nature of children’s grief and supporting young people through loss.
"When a Parent is Sick: Helping Parents Explain Serious Illness to Children” by Joan Hamilton: A guide to discussing serious illness and death of a parent to children at different developmental stages.
"Understanding Your Grief” by Alan Wolfelt, PH.D.: An introductory book to basic principles to engage with your grief and create momentum toward healing.
"You’re Not Crazy, You’re Grieving" by Alan Wolfelt, PH.D.: Six steps to help navigate through the early days of overwhelming grief.
"It's OK That You're Not OK" by Megan Devine: Offers a modern perspective on grief, challenging the idea that grief should be overcome or fixed.
"Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief" by Megan David Kessler: Exploring the idea that finding meaning in the death of a loved one can transform grief into a more peaceful and hopeful experience.
"The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion: A memoir recounting the author's experience of grief after the sudden death of her husband.
"A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis: A philosophical reflection on grief and faith, written after the death of Lewis's wife.
"The Grieving Brain" by Mary-Frances O'Connor: Explores the science of how grief affects the brain.
"When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi: A memoir by a young neurosurgeon who grapples with terminal illness and death.
Children (4-8 yrs)
When Dinosaurs Die by Laurie Krasny
Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children- by Bryan Mellonie
I Miss You: A First Look at Death – by Pat Thomas
A Garden of Creatures – Sheila Heti
Older Children (9- 12 yrs)
Children Also Grieve- by Linda Goldman
Tear Soup: Recipe for Healing After Loss – by Pat Schweibert and Chuck DeKlyen
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story for All Ages- by Leo Buscaglia
Youth (13-18yrs)
Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love- by Earl A. Grollman
The Secret C- Straight Talking About Cancer- by Julie A. Stokes
The Last Invisible Boy – By Evan Kuhlman
Grief & Holidays
The time leading up to the holiday season can be difficult for many people.
Dr. Pam McDermott has been gracious to create a series of messages to share. Thank you, Dr. McDermott
Grief and Holidays
Week 1
Week 2
Copyright © 2025 Hospice Huntsville. Registered Charitable Number: 89025-9062.
Produced by CREATIVE ONE®