Our Warmest Welcome

For two decades, Park Memorial has been bringing the wise and compassionate grief support of Dr. Alan Wolfelt to Edmonton. Author, educator, and grief counselor, Dr. Alan Wolfelt is known across North America for his inspirational teaching gifts. ... Perhaps best known for his model of “companioning” versus “treating” mourners, Dr. Wolfelt is committed to helping people mourn well so they can live well and love well. We are looking forward to welcoming him once again in April of 2020. His time with us will begin with an evening session for individuals and families who are grieving a loss. Guests can expect to receive tips and tools on how to better navigate their grief, delivered with compassion and sprinkled with sensitively expressed humour and hope. The next morning, Dr. Wolfelt will focus his teachings to those in our community who care for both the dying as well as the bereaved. This is an opportunity for caregivers to not only ‘fill their cup’ but also to receive encouragement and insights to help them better care for the needs of those whom they serve. Both sessions with Dr. Wolfelt will be accompanied by a ‘trade fair’ style gathering of local organizations where guests can ask questions and better understand the resources and grief supports that are available in our community, and how grief pertains to mental and physical health. Seminar Dates: - Monday April 20 & Tuesday April 21 Tickets available in March 2020 through www.parkmemorialcares.com/events or by calling 780-426-0050 For more information, visit www.parkmemorial.com/events or follow us on Facebook to keep up to date or call Kristi Hammond, Public Relations Coordinator at 780-426-0050.

GriefShare, a confidential, faith-based support group is available for those who have experienced the death of a loved one. The 13 weekly sessions are facilitated by caring, compassionate people who will journey with you through one of life's most difficult experiences. You will receive support and encouragement from people who understand what you are going through as you recover from your loss. GriefShare starts February 25 and meets each Tuesday from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Crossroads Community Church, 4719 - 44 Avenue, in Mayerthorpe. Each weekly session includes a video seminar, small group discussion, time for fellowship and snacks, and personal workbook exercises. GriefShare is offered in partnership by Park Memorial and Crossroads Community Church. The cost to attend is a one-time fee of $25, which includes all materials, plus your personal GriefShare Workbook. Pre-registration is required. To register, contact Reverend Ruth Lotholz at 780-786-2695.

one is left behind after the death of a spouse is debilitating. For our senior population, these points are even more intensively true. January will see a new grief support program begin at Park Memorial that will seek to connect, serve, and support widows and widowers through the sharing of a meal followed by a facilitated grief discussion with a grief expert. The impetus for this program was twofold: two of our funeral directors were serving widows in their time of loss, and both women expressed their grief and fear as they looked at their lives through the lens of their new normal. In the same time frame, we had conversation with a gentleman approaching the one-year anniversary of the loss of his wife. He identified that mealtimes are among the loneliest for him in his new normal. Food is love. The sharing of a meal together builds and binds families, friends, and relationships. After the loss of a spouse, mealtimes become a painful reminder of the person missing from the table. The need for grief support is societally more acknowledged and accepted for ‘younger’ populations. There can be a feeling that because senior widows and widowers are in their ‘golden years’, and that their spouse likely was as well, that there should be more acceptance of the loss and less grief. This is far from the truth. We see the need for connection, community, and grief support in the widowed families that we serve. And the need is increasing. We are hopeful that this program will meet some of these needs in our community. Date of 2nd Edition Lunch After Loss: - Monday, May 4, 2020 - Time: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm @ Park Memorial Reception Centre, 11015 – 101 Street For more information, visit www.parkmemorial.com/events or follow us on Facebook to keep up to date or call Kristi Hammond, Public Relations Coordinator at 780-426-0050.

Park Memorial is pleased to present this unique event focusing on grief expression through art therapy and informal conversation. This intimate event will allow guests to create a unique art project, and then take part in an informal, facilitated grief discussion. We are grateful to have The Art of Cake opening their doors and their divine bakery to our event once again. We are also grateful to have the talent of Deanne Ferguson, Box Social Events, facilitating our craft activities. These events occur monthly from September through June, with a hiatus in the summer months of July and August. The craft activity changes on a monthly basis. Upcoming Dates: - March 10, 2020. @ The Art Of Cake, Edmonton. For more information, visit www.parkmemorial.com/events or follow us on Facebook to keep up to date or call Kristi Hammond, Public Relations Coordinator at 780-426-0050.