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For immediate release:  October 23, 2007

HRMC Hospice seminar addresses coping with the death of a loved one
 
Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice will present a seminar Thursday, Nov. 8, featuring advice for dealing with bereavement issues that often surface during special occasions and holidays.

“It’s hard to sort through the flood of emotions that typifies grief. Intense sadness, numbness, even anger and guilt all are normal reactions,” said Claire Stoeckel, bereavement counselor with HRMC Hospice.

“Grief also can have physical effects, such as insomnia. Healing from the loss of a loved one follows no ideal timeline, experts say; and how long someone grieves is an individual experience — varying from person to person.  Many people find the holidays a particularly challenging time to deal with sorrow, as events and traditions stir emotions,” she said.

Stoeckel is facilitating the seminar called “Hope and Healing for the Holidays: Coping with the Death of a Loved One.”  The session for adults will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the second floor classroom at the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center.  Another session for adults, young adults and children will be held later that day from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 566 S. Haywood St., Waynesville.

Each session will address why holidays and special days are difficult. Other issues to be discussed include strategies for decorating gifts, meals and social events, and suggestions for rituals and remembrances.

The younger participants, grades one through nine, will be involved separately in craft activities for rituals and remembrances.

“Children who attend must have a realistic memory of the person who died. If the person died when the child was 3 and the child is 7, it would be inappropriate to participate. They will be working with their personal memories and relationships in their remembrance/art time,” Stoeckel said.

Registration is necessary and can be done by phone or e-mail. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 452-8564 or e-mail claire.stoeckel@haymed.org.