News Release – Vancouver, BC

The 2021 Hospice Society Provincial & Territorial Grief & Bereavement Report explores the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 on grief and bereavement in B.C. and the Yukon, particularly focusing on the adverse effects on the mental health of its residents, including vulnerable populations who are disproportionately hit the hardest. The data obtained in the Grief and Bereavement Survey (2021) that provided insights around hospice society funding, capacity and demographics of those accessing grief and bereavement supports, show how current grief and bereavement services being offered by hospices across B.C.and the Yukon, could significantly help mitigate the mental health sequelae of COVID-19 if sufficient resources were allocated to expand capacity within these organizations.

Hospice Palliative Care societies have been supporting their communities for over 40 years around end of life, palliative and grief and bereavement services; serving over 10,000 clients monthly, with a volunteer force of over 3600. In addition, in 2019 hospice societies in B.C., saved the province over $40 million in added value services alone.

View the complete Press Release (PDF).

View the Report