Navigating the death of a loved one is never easy. Grief is our continual companion that eases as we provide ourselves all that is needed to move through our days. We are here to help you and your family process grief and the emotional and physical symptoms that can be overwhelming through counseling and support, community resources, and ceremonial remembrances. Be gentle with yourself and know you are not alone.
Finding a Therapist
Talking to a professional therapist while in the midst of a serious illness and after a loss may feel overwhelming. An experienced therapist can help you work through intense emotions and overcome obstacles to your grieving. The Psychology Today website makes it easy to connect with someone in your area. You can search by location, the specialty you are seeking (including Grief Therapy), the insurance you have, and any other aspects of therapy that are important to you. Once you have entered your criteria, Psychology Today will list the therapists in your area with detailed information.
In addition to the Psychology Today website, you can reach out to Sharon Willow, Grief and Bereavement Coordinator at (585) 273-1154 for names of therapists in your area.
For more information and resources, the HelpGuide offers information on finding a therapist and what to consider as you make this decision.
Wilmot Bereavement Group
The Department of Medicine Division of Palliative Care in collaboration with Wilmot Cancer Center offers opportunities for bereaved families to connect in a formal setting. The monthly bereavement group meeting can help normalize the feelings and experience of grief and provide families with the opportunity to talk as openly as they wish about the loss of their loved one with others who know grief.
The Wilmot Bereavement Group is a professionally-mediated support group for those who have lost someone to cancer. The group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 3-4:30pm via zoom. Call (585) 276-4708 or email WilmotCommunityResHelp@urmc.rochester.edu to learn more.
Memorial Service
Every Autumn the Palliative Care Program offers a memorial service for bereaved families whose loved one was cared for by our team. The non-religious service is a way to support one another while we honor and remember those who have died. The service includes special music, stories, a memorial slide show of those who have died, and reflective thoughts from the Palliative Care team.
Contact Us
Sharon Willow
Grief & Bereavement Coordinator
MS in Education/Counseling
Certified Marriage and Family Counselor
Certified Bereavement Counselor and End of Life Doula
Reiki and Qigong Practitioner
Phone: 585-273-1154 Sharon_Willow@urmc.rochester.edu
My name is Sharon Willow and I’m the Bereavement Coordinator with the Department of Medicine Palliative Care Team.
Managing change and loss that happens when you or a loved one are ill, takes time, patience, and loving support. Grief that is experienced due to illness, imminent death, or the death of a loved one can be overwhelming. When we give ourselves all that we personally need to move through our days the overwhelmingness can lessen, even if it’s just for a short time. There is no timetable for grieving and we express it in our own unique ways. Having conversation about all we are feeling and/or physically experiencing can help to calm our nerves and help us breathe just a little deeper.
As the Grief and Bereavement Coordinator it would be my honor to be among those who are supporting you as you navigate the journey with grief and build moments of rest and peace. I am available to meet with you in person, over Zoom, or by phone should you wish to share your story, or the story of life with your loved one. Our time together is at no financial cost to you.
Be gentle with yourself. I wish you deep peace and a hand to hold along the way.
Warm regards,
Sharon Willow
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
-Native American Poem