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A Century of Caring

Behm Family Funeral Homes Announces Bereavement Support Group
Partnership with Hospice of the Western Reserve

For more than 20 years, Behm Family Funeral Homes has been serving Eastern Lake County and the Ashtabula, community by offering bereavement support groups the second Monday of each month, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the private dining room of University Hospitals’ Memorial Hospital of Geneva. Offered at no charge and open to the public, the support group provides a safe haven for sharing information and support while coping with the loss of a loved one. The next session meets Monday, April 9th.
In order to provide the community with even more resources, a new partnership has been formed with Hospice of the Western Reserve in Ashtabula County. Marti Dixon, a licensed counselor from Hospice of the Western Reserve’s Ashtabula Team, will serve as the group’s facilitator.
“This partnership is a perfect fit,” said Trevor Behm, president of Behm Family Funeral Homes. “As a member of the advisory council for the Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center, I have seen first-hand how Hospice of the Western Reserve cares for members of our community in their greatest time of need. By working together, we can provide the combined expertise of both organizations as well as expanded Web resources to help those who are grieving. Our website will include a direct link to the Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center site for easy access to helpful resources, including handouts, books, websites, articles and a bereavement blog.”
Dixon, a licensed counselor in Ashtabula with more than 9 years of experience in bereavement counseling, said the support group provides a confidential setting for those who are experiencing a loss. “The intimate, non-judgmental setting gives people an effective way to talk about their feelings, and reminds them they are not alone,” she said. “There is comfort in interacting with other individuals or families who are also coping with many of the same issues.”
Behm stressed that the support group is open to everyone in the community, not just those who have utilized hospice care. No appointment is necessary. “It’s a relaxed, informal setting and there is no pressure to participate. People work through the grief process in different ways, so they can choose to speak as little or as much as they want,” he added. “We encourage anyone who is grieving to bring a friend or family member and join us.”