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Our First Priority is YOU! Kessler Funeral Home Aftercare Support The death of a loved one is a life changing and altering event. Many are unprepared for the painful emotions that accompany the death of a loved one. Grief is a human response to the pain of loss on a personal level. Grieving is a healing process, one that takes courage and effort. With the reassurance, strength and understanding of others, the healing process can be worked through in a supportive environment. At Kessler Funeral Home, our goal is not only to assist your family in the start of the grief journey, but to be helpful all the way through the grief process. A courtesy to the families we serve is “The Continuing Care Series” by Doug Manning. This series consists of 4 booklets sent over a period of 11 months. Their topics address concerns and stages of grief which occur at these points of time. The series concludes with a booklet for the holidays. This is a helpful guide for those in grief and how to cope with the holiday season. We also provide our families with "Grief Resources of the Fox Valley", an informational resource for grief and related support systems for all types of loss and circumstance. Finally, we have available professionals who will provide grief counseling. Some of these counselors are available at a no charge basis.
Grief Support Drop-In Groups Open to any adult grieving the death of a loved one. Refreshments and handouts are provided. No fee. Contact Deb Kosmer, 1-866-236-8500. Oshkosh: First Thursday St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Murdock Ave., groups offered at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Appleton: First Tuesday, Thompson Community Center, 820 W. College, groups offered at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Caring Companions Bereavement Support Group St. Mary’s, Menasha, six week sessions offered in April and September from 6:00-7:00 p.m. For all adults mourning the loss of a loved one. Contact Joan Spielbauer, 920-731-5898. Grief Share Support group for anyone who has lost a loved one-recent or past:
Bereavement Group St. Thomas More Parish 1810 N. McDonald, Appleton. Contact Sr. Rose Menting, 920-739-7758. Grief and Loss Scripture based grief and loss information, sharing and prayer sessions. On Wednesdays for six weeks 9-10:30 a.m. after Easter at St. Bernard’s Church 1617 W. Pine, Appleton. Contact Pam, 920-739-0331. Theo (To Help Each Other) Support/learning for those who have had a loved one die. First and third Mondays. (Non-denominational no fee) St. Mary’s Church, Appleton. Contact Deacon Bill Burke, 920-733-7484, Parish office, 920-739-5119 or Donna Nemecek, 920-739-6890. Time to Mourn A six week grief group offering support for adults who have lost an adult loved one. Co-led by professionals trained in grief support. Offered three times a year. Contact Chaplain Cathie at Bethel Home, 920-232-5274 to register. Living With Loss A six week grief group offering support to adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Offered in Fall, Winter, Spring by ThedaCard At Home Hospice. Meets at The Heritage Community Room, 2500 S. Heritage Woods Dr., Appleton. Contact Tina Ramadan, 920-969-0919 or 1-800-984-5554 to register. Men Journeying Through Grief An open gathering of men who have experienced the death of a loved one…recent or past. Gatherings include supper, discussion, grief information and resources. No charge. Call Deb at 920-727-2000 or Pete, 920-831-9905 for meeting time and place. Children Center for Grieving ChildrenPrograms of peer-to-peer support for grieving children of all ages and their parents. Led by trained facilitators at the Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley, 117 S. Locust St., Appleton. 6-8:00 p.m., includes supper. No charge. Contact Shelly Osborne at 731-0555 ext. 244 for more information and to register for programs. Camp Hope A weekend program providing an atmosphere of love and acceptance for children to express themselves following the death of a loved one. No fee. Contact Becky Loy, 715-341-0076. Email: Camphope@charter.net Grieving Parents Remembering Through SharingSupport group for those who have lost an infant by death. Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Theda Clark Medical Center or Appleton Medical Center, 7 p.m., 920-729-2087. Memorial services are held on the first Wednesday in December. Freedom to Grieve Support group for those who have experienced miscarriage or stillbirth. Group meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Affinity Medical Clinic on Deerwood Ave., Neenah. Pre-registration is not required but appreciated. Call Nurse Direct at 1-800-362-9900 or Mary Sullivan, 920-738-2487. Compassionate Friends For bereaved parents who have experienced the death of a child.
Elizabeth Ministry Ministry for bereavement of miscarriage, stillbirth, infant or child death, failed adoptions, and infertility. Support groups, mentoring, memorials, retreat and resource center. Contact Jeannie Hannemann, 766-9380, 120 W. 8th St., Kaukauna. Website: www.elizabethministry.com Email: info@elizabethministry.com “The truth is in the butterfly. Death is only a transformation; a transition to greater beauty.” -Deb Kosmer Pathways to Peace Prayer service for those who have experienced miscarriage or still- birth. Services are held four times a year at 5 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton. Contact Mary Sullivan, 920-738-2487. Trauma Survivors of SuicideSurvivors of suicide experience a unique grief. In the support group survivors connect with one another to share their feelings associated with the commonality of their loss and the experience of being a survivor of suicide. Survivors learn about trauma and the grief involved in death by suicide. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., free of charge at Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2600 E. Philip Ln., Appleton. Also held on the third Thursday of the month 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 404 N. Main St., Oshkosh. Call Gretchen Koch, 920-651-1583. www.communityforhope.org Widows/Widowers RainbowsTo provide a social environment for widows and widowers. Meetings are held the third Sunday of each month and weekly breakfast locations vary. Other activities included. No fees. Weekly notice in newspaper on Thursdays. Newsletters available at meeting. Contact Milsom Zimmerman, 920-733-7817. New Beginnings A dinner group for widows and widowers including a wide range of other social events. Evenings on the second Wednesday of every month. Registration required. Contact Donna Nemecek, 920-739-2093 or 920-739-6890, or Emily, 920-766-2341. Email: dmntheo@aol.com Grief Support Topic based gatherings for widows and widowers on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 9-10:30 a.m., September-March at St. Bernard’s Church, 1617 W. Pine, Appleton. Contact Pam, 920-739-0331. Other Supports Hospice Memorial ServicesCommemoration of Hospice Patients
Fullness of Life Prayer services for grieving families:
Local Churches Don’t forget your local church, synagogue or mosque. Pastors, priests, rabbis, lay ministers, Stephen and Be-Friender Ministries may be of comfort in helping to assist with the process of bereavement. Faith communities often offer memorial services during the course of the year. Professional Counseling While the experience of loss, anger, and sadness is a necessary part of grief work, it can be difficult for some to do without professional support of some kind. Professional counselors play an important role in facilitating healthy grieving and observing signs of complicated grief that can lead to major depression. The Fox Valley is fortunate to have many qualified, competent, and compassionate counselors. For referrals contact your clergy, health care provider, a trusted friend, or funeral home. “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” Helen Keller “Death ends a life, not a relationship.” Jack Lemmon |
