Literature Review

I was 36 when my husband died — here's what most of us get wrong about grief Yahoo!Health; by Laura Williams, MS, ACSM EP-C; 12/16/25 Grief is universal, yet deeply personal. Instead of trying to "fix" or "help" someone who's grieving, it's important to make space for them to perpetually navigate the permanent reality of death. ... It turns out, time doesn't heal all wounds. Life simply grows around the immediacy of the pain — the sun rises and sets, and new experiences accumulate, whether or not you want them to, gradually taking the edge off. However, grief isn't just "deep sadness." It's not depression. It's not something you "get over" or "move on from." Grief is the loss of someone you loved — a voice you'll never hear again, a laugh you'll never share. It's the inside jokes no one else understands, the clothing that won't be worn again, ... It's a bed that won't be slept in, a dining room chair that remains empty, a silence that won't be filled.Editor's Note: This first-person reflection gives language to what grief truly is—and is not. It dismantles the myth that time “fixes” loss and instead names grief as a lifelong companion shaped by absence, memory, and love. If this piece feels uncomfortable or heavy at first glance, that discomfort may be instructive. For hospice and palliative leaders, it invites a sober question: how well does your organization acknowledge grief as enduring—and provide timely, meaningful support beyond death?

Chapters Health System announces national rebranding of grief support camps for children PR Newswire, Temple Terrace, FL; by Chapters Health System; 12/12/25 Chapters Health System, the nation's leading chronic illness innovator and largest nonprofit hospice provider, proudly announced a unified grief support camp name, Camp Brave Heart, and logo for programs across the country starting in 2026. Each camp program will remain tailored to the needs of the local community and the longstanding tradition of providing a supportive place for children to process and share.

A flight to the North Pole Fairfax County Times, Reston, VA; by Kristin Johnson; 12/12/25 Last Saturday morning [12/6], Gate D15 at Dulles Airport was filled with families wearing Christmas sweaters and pajamas. They were waiting for a 10 a.m. departure to the North Pole. The Fantasy Flight is a 30-minute plane ride that takes off annually on the first weekend in December. The event is for the families of children currently in hospice or long-term care. ... The mood at the gate is festive, but a little chaotic. The busyness helps to dull Tabitha Johnson’s grief. Her son died in hospice three weeks ago. She decided the family should still come. 

Award-winning documentary chronicles hospice nurse’s final 39 days Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) and TGBeyond, Washington, DC; Press Release; 12/1/25Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) and TGBeyond today announced the release of A Butterfly Has Been Released, an award-winning short documentary, alongside a new professional continuing education program, From Caregiver to Patient: Hospice Nurse Allyson’s Final 39 Days. Pre-purchase is available now, with formal release in January 2026. The 36-minute film follows Allyson, a hospice nurse with more than 20 years of experience guiding patients and families through death and grief, as she navigates her own final 39 days after a life-limiting diagnosis. Through candid kitchen-table conversations, a 150-person living funeral, and a natural green burial, Allyson demonstrates what she spent decades teaching others: live with purpose, presence, and connection until the very last day.Editor's Note: Is the concept of a "living funeral" new to you? I've seen this moving film several times, with a group discussion among healthcare professionals led by its producers Jason Zamer and Barry Koch. Click here for its 2-minute trailer.

HOV honors family traditions North Central News; by Staff; 12/8/25 Family traditions enrich the holiday season, and for Hispanic families in the community, Día de los Muertos is an especially meaningful observance, says Lin Sue Flood, director of community engagement at Hospice of the Valley. “Though the name translates to ‘Day of the Dead,’ this cherished Mexican holiday is not a morbid occasion. Instead, it is a vibrant celebration that honors those we hold dear through ofrendas (altars) adorned with photos, favorite foods and bright marigolds, alongside music and dancing,” she added. ... Organizer Dulce Rodriguez noted that the event helps reinforce family bonds across generations and strengthens cultural identity.

The memory bear legacy, sewn with love: One woman’s heartfelt stitches continue to warm the Treasure Coast community Hometown News, Port St. Lucie, FL; by MaryAnn Ketcham; 11/30/25 Director of Volunteer Services for Treasure Coast Hospice Lisa Gunggoll recently joined Board Chairwoman and former staff member Eileen Emery at the Gardens of Port St. Lucie Senior Living Facility. There, they spent time with resident Gerry Cornell in what became a truly memorable occasion. ... Over the years, Cornell handcrafted more than 100 Memory Bears for Treasure Coast Hospice patients and families. On the day of the visit at the Port St. Lucie Gardens, Cornell proudly presented an album filled with photos of those bears, each stitched with love, care, and compassion. The album is a beautiful gift, returning a piece of her legacy that had brought comfort to so many grieving families. Editor's Note: Click here for more about Treasure Coast Hospice's Memory Bears and Pillows.

Memorial bricks at William Childs Hospice House pave way for comfort, community and healing Space Coast Daily, Palm Bay, FL; by Space Coast Daily; 11/29/25 Under a beautiful November sky, more than 200 family members and friends gathered on a recent Saturday morning in front of the Butterfly Garden, nestled on the grounds of the William Childs Hospice House. Attendees joined the Health First Foundation’s annual Brick Paver Dedication Ceremony, a heartfelt tradition held each November during National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. ... One such brick was in honor of Arthur “Lou” Larmay, 94, who passed in July while in Hospice care. During his final weeks, Lou was commended by Hospice with a ceremony honoring his military service – and his days as a jazz musician. Gathering in the garden after his passing was just what his mourning loved ones needed.

City forced him to cut the oak tree tied to his late wife, so he found a way to save it forever Scoop Upworthy; by Prachi Mallick; 11/4/25 It was where he had proposed to her, where they carved their initials 30 years earlier, where their love had taken root. In a recent post, one husband shared how a city order forced him to say goodbye to the oak tree that had been central to his marriage, and how, instead of letting that final link vanish, he found a way to rebuild it into something he could carry with him forever. ... "For two years, I couldn’t touch it. Then, one day, I saw someone who had turned wood from his grandfather’s barn into furniture. Something clicked inside me. I taught myself woodworking through YouTube videos and practicing at night. Every cut, every curve of that tree became part of a door. The branches that once bore our initials are now the frame for all who enter our home."Editor's Note: Click here and scroll down for a photo of this husband's beautiful artistry.

Give thanks and pass the stuffing: Maryland is grateful for much this year The Baltimore Sun; by Jean Marbella; 11/25/25 In a turmoil-filled world, gratitude might seem elusive. But then, there’s that newborn infant or a son in med school, the simple gift of the snooze button and the big thrill of a walk-off homer, a homicide rate going down and a school redistricting plan finally ending. ... We could go on, and Maryland’s elected officials, athletes, artists, personalities and at least one rascal did, telling The Baltimore Sun what makes their Thanksgiving tick this year. ... Political scientist Mileah Kromer, director of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Institute of Politics: “I’m thankful for the nurses, doctors, and clergy who work in hospice care. I lost my mom to ALS this past April, and her end-of-life experience left me with a deep sense of gratitude for the people who care for patients and their families during one of the most profoundly difficult times in their lives. 

Shifting to online and telephone bereavement support provision during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study of bereavement service provider perspectives and lessons learnt for current practice Palliative Medicine; by Lucy E Selman, Jenny Birchall, Eileen J Sutton, Tracey Stone, Renata Medeiros Mirra, Emma Gilbert, Mirella Longo, Kathy Seddon, Anne M Finucane, Alison Penny, Anthony Byrne, Emily Harrop; 11/24/25, online ahead of print Background: Provision of remote (online/telephone) bereavement support accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the extent and impact of this change and lessons learnt are unknown. ...Conclusions: Remote delivery of bereavement support increased support capacity and can potentially reduce inequities in access. However, it needs to be carefully tailored, and is not appropriate for everyone. Staff and volunteers providing remote services require training and support.

Remembering Dr. Balfour Mount - - In loving memory of Dr. Balfour Mount (1939-2025) Canadian Society of Palliative Medicine; email and webpage; 11/20/25 We invite you to contribute your memories, stories, and tributes to Dr. Mount. Whether you knew him personally or were touched by his work, your submission will help honour and celebrate his enduring legacy. Submissions will be published on this page to commemorate Dr. Mount’s life and achievements. Dr. Mount passed away on September 29, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec, in the very unit named in his honour at the Royal Victoria Hospital—the Balfour Mount Palliative Care Unit. ... VIRTUAL MEMORIAL: Join us as we honour and celebrate Dr. Balfour Mount on December 4th, 11:00 - 12:30 ET.

"The Wounded Generation": Bearing the invisible scars of war CBS News; by Lesley Stahl; 11/9/25 In 1984, President Reagan commemorated the 40th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, and paid tribute to the World War II soldiers known as "The Greatest Generation." ... But in his new book, historian David Nasaw calls them "The Wounded Generation." "They are the Greatest Generation, but they returned from war, bringing wounds home with them that are invisible; they're psychic wounds," he said. "Now we know that a lot of those wounds were PTSD. But PTSD was not diagnosed for 40 years after the return of the World War II veterans. ... Nasaw said [of his own father,] "He came home smoking three or four packs of Luckys a day. He came home with a heart condition from the war. He dies at age 61. And I had never had the chance to find out what happened in Eritrea, what he went through. So, what do I do as a historian? I can't find out his story, so I jumped in to find out the story of his generation."Editor's Note: While most World War II veterans are now gone, many of today’s hospice patients—particularly those who served in combat—carry similar invisible scars. Their psychic wounds, once unnamed, often resurface in life’s final chapter. This story also echoes in their adult children, who now seek to understand the unspoken pain that shaped their families. For more insight and support—especially regarding post-9/11 veterans—see the Wounded Warriors Project.