Spiritual Support

Multidisciplinary Grief Care

Anticipatory grief care starts at the time of the original referral to StarShine Hospice. At Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the multidisciplinary StarShine Hospice team provides counseling and support during the anticipatory grief phase, prior to death, and bereavement care phase after the death.

The Journey of Grief

Grief is a journey that takes each person along a distinctive path. Members of the same family will sometimes feel they are walking together; at other times, each may feel alone. This list of typical grief reactions may be experienced at different times.

Mental Reactions to Death

  • Inability to concentrate
  • Self-destructive thoughts
  • Preoccupation with death
  • Preoccupation with the one who died
  • Low self-esteem and self-image
  • Idealization of the one who died
  • Trouble remembering the one who died
  • Confusion and disorganization
  • Dreams of the one who died
  • Nightmares

Physical Reactions to Death

  • Headaches
  • Loss or increase of appetite
  • Dizziness
  • Pounding heart
  • Tightness in throat or chest
  • Fatigue
  • Stomach aches
  • Frequent illness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sleep problems
  • Hyper-alertness

Spiritual Reactions to Death

  • Anger towards God
  • Rethinking belief system
  • Hopelessness
  • Victimized
  • Disillusionment
  • Sense of betrayal
  • Resignation
  • Guilt
  • Gratitude
  • Peace
  • Punishment
  • Blaming

Emotional Reactions to Death

  • Yearning
  • Lethargy
  • Anger
  • Sadness
  • Guilt
  • Shock
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Loneliness
  • Relief
  • Fear
  • Panic
  • Denial
  • Helpessness
  • Disbelief
  • Rage
  • Happiness

Social Reactions to Death

  • Destructive behavior
  • Withdrawal
  • Alcohol and drug use
  • Keeping busy
  • Information seeking
  • Difficulty working
  • Aggression
  • Extreme quietness
  • Fighting
  • Loneliness
  • Dependency and clinging
  • Rethinking relationships

StarShine Can Help

This list of grief reactions, and more, is normal. If any of these reactions begin to feel especially unmanageable, we can help. The StarShine team is available to you. We are ready to support you in several ways, such as personal contact, referrals and literature. The Bereavement Coordinator will contact you to discuss your needs.

Contact Starshine Hospice

For more information about the StarShine Hospice, please call 513-636-4663, or email starshine@cchmc.org.