Helping Families Cope with Grief and Loss

Michelle found herself staring at her mother’s empty chair during Sunday dinner. Three weeks had passed since her mom’s death, yet sometimes the grief felt as fresh as the day she’d lost her. “I should be handling this better by now,” she thought, fighting back tears as her children laughed nearby.

Grief doesn’t follow a timetable or a predictable path. It’s as unique as the relationship you shared with your loved one. And in the quiet communities along the Wasatch Front, families are discovering they don’t have to walk this difficult journey alone.

Understanding Grief’s Many Faces

Grief can manifest in countless ways:

Overwhelming waves of emotion that come without warning

Physical symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, or loss of appetite

Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Feeling disconnected from others, even loved ones

Questioning of faith or searching for meaning

Unexpected anger or guilt

Each of these responses is normal—even when they don’t feel normal to you.

The Myth of “Moving On”

“When will I get over this?” It’s a question our bereavement counselors hear often, and the answer might surprise you: You don’t “get over” profound loss. Instead, you learn to integrate it into your life story and find ways to move forward while honoring your loved one’s memory.

As one Utah father shared after losing his teenage daughter: “I’ll never ‘get over’ losing Ellie. But with support, I’ve learned how to carry her in my heart while still being present for my wife and other children. Some days are still unbearably hard. But there are good days too now.”

Comprehensive Grief Support at Inspiration Hospice

At Inspiration Hospice, our commitment to families doesn’t end with a loved one’s passing. Our bereavement program provides:

Personalized Support

One-on-one counseling with experienced bereavement coordinators

Regular check-ins during the difficult first year

Guidance for navigating special occasions and anniversaries

Group Connection

Monthly grief support groups throughout the Wasatch Front

Specialized groups for children, spouses, and parents

Annual remembrance ceremonies that honor every life

Practical Resources

Reading materials and activity workbooks

Online resources available 24/7

Referrals to community services when needed

Children and Grief: Special Considerations

Children grieve differently than adults. They may seem fine one moment and overwhelmed the next. They often express grief through behavior rather than words.

Ten-year-old James rarely talked about his grandfather’s death, but started having trouble at school. Through Inspiration Hospice’s children’s program, he found ways to express his feelings through art and play. “Watching my son finally able to share his grief was like watching him put down a heavy backpack he’d been carrying,” his mother shared.

The Healing Power of Remembrance

Our Magical Day program doesn’t just create meaningful moments before death—it creates lasting memories that comfort families during bereavement. Photographs, recorded messages, and legacy projects become treasured touchstones in the grief journey.

One wife cherishes the memory book created during her husband’s final weeks: “On my hardest days, I open this book and remember not just that I lost him, but how beautifully we loved each other. That’s what Inspiration Hospice helped us preserve.”

Here for You, However You Need Us

While we’re one of Utah’s largest hospice providers, our approach to grief support remains deeply personal. Our team understands the unique cultural and spiritual landscape of our communities throughout the Wasatch Front, and tailors support to each family’s needs.

If you’re struggling with grief—whether your loved one was under our care or not—please reach out. Grief shouldn’t be faced alone, and with the right support, healing is possible.