Grieving the loss of a loved one during the holidays is hard. This support group can help.

Linda Roy, Standard-Times, Tuesday, 16 November 2021

NEW BEDFORD — Talking about the loss of a loved one can provide comfort and release, especially around the holidays when the sadness can be overwhelming. 

“It’s a tough time for people around the holidays,” said Peter Converse, who is beginning a free weekly grief support group at Grace Episcopal Church, 133 School St.

“Living with Loss Through the Holidays” will begin on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 3:30 p.m. The group will meet at the church each Saturday through Jan. 1, excluding Christmas Day. Each meeting will be about an hour. 

Converse has served as a hospice chaplain and bereavement counselor for 11 years and will facilitate the new group. He is a lay minister at Grace Episcopal Church and has a private counseling practice that includes grief counseling and support for families. 

Converse said he used to see bereavement groups at various councils on aging but said he has not seen any group meetings and believed the COVID pandemic might be to blame. 

So, he stepped in to fill the void. 

“We all have these fond memories of the holidays,” Converse said. “It’s usually a warm wonderful family time.”  

But when a loved one dies, especially a grandparent, that empty chair at the holiday table can be emotionally hard, he said.  

Converse said whether loss is from illness or accident, or at the hands of violence, how families deals with grief is different for everyone. 

“Some will keep the empty chair at the dining room table,” Converse said, “or just do something different.” He remembered a woman in her 80s who had lost her husband and booked a cruise with one of her friends. It was different and that was OK, he said.

Converse said he hopes the group will not only share their stories but offer ways to help one another through the holidays. 

“We want to make sure everyone has a place to go,” Converse said.  

Seating at the grief support group is limited to 10 people and reservations are required.  

Converse said since the sessions are only about an hour long, limiting the number of participants to 10 will allow everyone to have enough time to share their story of their lost loved one. 

To reserve a seat for the program call 508-748-0286 or email Converse at peterconverse.compass@gmail.com.  

Masks will be required to be worn while in the church building, and they will be provided if needed.