Since 2004, the S.K.H. Holy Carpenter Church District Elderly Community Centre has been providing the 'Comfort Angels' service, which aims to bring together the different strengths of the community to support the bereaved and build a caring and loving community. In particular, the project supports families facing sudden death, children and young bereaved couples in their grief, helping them to recover from the pain and resume their lives. The programme also supports and trains volunteers to accompany the bereaved individuals and organises bereaved support groups to provide mutual support and comfort.
Provided Services：
- Bereavement advice and information on the after-death arrangements (funeral arrangements, Will and legal information) for the elderly, those in anticipatory grief and those in bereavement.
- Accompanying the bereaved family in the aftermath and providing immediate emotional support.
- Funeral support services to help bereaved families to recover from their grief
- Referrals are made according to individual needs, such as clinical counselling
- Funeral services can be arranged in advance for those who choose to be buried on their behalf
Objectives
- Support for the bereaved
- Reducing the uncertainty and helplessness of family members when facing the funeral process after the death of a loved one
- Relieve the negative emotions of the bereaved during the grieving period and help them maintain a normal life
- Strengthening the family's ability to recover and adjust to a new life
- Support families facing sudden death, children and young bereaved couples facing grief
- Helping bereaved children and young bereaved couples cope with their grief through professional counselling
- Relieve the stress of family members of terminally ill patients and help them develop a positive attitude towards death
- Strengthening the family's ability to recover and adjust to a new life
- Promoting community care for the bereaved
- Strengthening the volunteer team to serve the bereaved throughout Hong Kong
- Enhance the knowledge and skills of volunteers so that they can provide comfort to each bereaved individual
Funeral arrangement and companionship
Staff will assess the needs of the bereaved family and assist with the funeral arrangements. Trained volunteers will accompany them throughout the funeral process, e.g. to the referred coffin shop, mortuary, funeral parlour, crematorium and cemetery, etc.
Volunteer Training and Development Services
Regular volunteer training courses are held to train participants about emotional support, hospice care, funeral procedures, personal preparation and other specialised topics. Volunteer gatherings are organized regularly to facilitate volunteers to share, learn and support each other.
Peer Support and Emotional Care
Trained volunteers provide emotional support to the bereaved individuals through phone calls and visits. Regular bereavement group gatherings are held to reinforce a mutual support network through the grieving period.
Hotline : 2362 0268
