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Bereavement Department

Calvary provides one of the New York metropolitan area’s most comprehensive bereavement support programs.

Always Here for You, Your Family and Loved Ones

Edgardo LugoI am Edgardo Lugo, Director of Bereavement.

Loss is universal, but grief is unique. When you experience the death of a significant person you might notice that the world feels upside down.

You might feel disoriented, you might experience disruptions in your appetite and sleep, you might withdraw from family and friends, or respond to events and people in unfamiliar ways. You may have a variety of feelings that seem to come in waves. These grief reactions are natural and typical when a person important to you dies.

Calvary Hospital Bereavement Services offers a variety of support groups for children, adolescents, and adults led by professional counselors to help you understand your grief and learn to manage it. You do not need to travel this path alone. My team and I are here to help. Take the first step and give us a call.

Edgardo Lugo, MS, LCSW-R, RPT-S, CGP
Director of Bereavement

Meet Our Counselors

Jackeline Abbondandolo

Jackeline Abbondandolo, LMHC

Behavioral Health Counselor, Intake Coordinator
Rachel Borg

Rachel Borg, LMSW

Bereavement Coordinator and Counselor
Joanne Castellanos

Joanne Castellanos, MA, LMHC, FT

Behavioral Health Counselor
Spring Kwok

Spring Kwok, LMSW

Behavioral Health Counselor
Jacqueline Marlow

Jacqueline Marlow, M.A. ART-P

Behavioral Health Counselor

Stephanie Newman, LMSW

Bereavement Coordinator and Counselor

Support Groups

A connection to Calvary is not necessary to participate in any Calvary support group. All groups are offered at a nominal fee.

VIEW FEES

Attending Support Groups

Anyone who is interested in participating must schedule a meeting with one of our bereavement counselors before attending their first session.

To schedule an appointment:
please call us at 718-518-2281 or email us.

Bereavement Services for Hospice

Spring 2024 Calendar
Calvary Hospice provides informational and supportive sessions on Zoom to anyone who has experienced a loss on hospice. Sessions will cover a variety of topics about the grieving process and how to cope. Everyone is welcome to join any or all of the following sessions — no registration required.

VIEW CALENDAR

Notes from our families

Support Group Fees

Dear Friend,

Care, comfort, compassion, and community are at the core of Calvary Bereavement Services. Sharing grief is a fundamental aspect of the healing process, and we are privileged to help people navigate the complex emotions associated with loss, embracing and walking with them on their journey toward acceptance and recovery.

Calvary’s freely accessible counseling, a tradition that began decades ago, has benefited thousands. During this time, Calvary has also promoted a more open and understanding environment around loss and mourning, which has helped make Calvary a vital resource throughout Greater New York.

Like other providers of care, we continue to respond to the stress, turmoil, and grief associated with the pandemic and the resulting demand for increased bereavement services. This, however, has come at a price: a shortage of mental healthcare professionals, increased administrative requirements, new costs associated with different treatment modalities, and changes in healthcare policies and regulations. Each factor has, and will continue to have, financial and operational implications here at Calvary (and among all providers).

As a result, and after careful consideration, we are introducing fees for Calvary Bereavement Group Services that were previously free.

Starting January 1, a six-week session for adults will cost $60; an eight-week session for children will cost $40. These fees will help Calvary:

    • Ensure the continued availability of quality services by establishing a more stable financial foundation for Calvary
    • Maintain and strengthen grief and bereavement services
    • Leverage external funding and grants that already support Calvary Bereavement Services
    • Address rising overhead expenses and personnel costs

We understand this change may impose financial hardships upon some members of our community. Please contact the Director of Bereavement Services, Edgardo Lugo to discuss your circumstances if this is the case. We want you to continue with your counseling sessions.

It is important that we communicate the need for these changes transparently and provide a clear rationale for the introduction of these fees. If you have any questions, please speak to your counselor or contact me, Edgardo Lugo, Director of Bereavement, at 347-963-7001.

Your experience of grief is unique and valid, and we remain committed to you. Coping with loss, navigating life changes, finding meaning and purpose – we are here to help you and members of our community process emotions, gain insights, and work towards healing and adjustment after the loss of a loved one. That mission will never change.

Thank you for your support,

Edgardo Lugo, MS, LCSW-R, RPT-S CGP
Director of Bereavement

Deborah Feldman, LCSW, JD
V.P. of Pastoral Care, Bereavement & Family Care Services

Calvary Hospital’s Bereavement
Group Fee Policy

Bereavement Group Fees:

Adults: $60.00 per cycle (6-week sessions)
Children: $40.00 per cycle (8- week sessions).
Please Note: All payments must be made prior to the start of each cycle.

Please make your check or money order out to:
Calvary Hospital

Please send payment to:

Edgardo Lugo, Director of Bereavement
Calvary Hospital
1740 Eastchester Avenue
Bronx, N.Y. 10461

If you prefer paying by credit card, please call:

Calvary Hospital’s Cashier at 718-518-2063.

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

We accept: American Express, Visa and MasterCard.

Please inform the cashier whether you are paying for Adult or Children’s
Bereavement Sessions.

Cancellation and Reimbursement Policy

If you decide to leave the group within the first two sessions, you will be reimbursed 50% of the fee ($30.00 for adults and $20.00 for children).

No reimbursement for missed or canceled group sessions for any reason.

Bereavement Services for Hospice

Spring 2024 Calendar

Calvary Hospice provides informational and supportive sessions on Zoom to anyone who has experienced a loss on hospice. Sessions will cover a variety of topics about the grieving process and how to cope. Everyone is welcome to join any or all of the following sessions — no registration required.

New Weekly Zoom Sessions

Understanding the experience of Anticipatory Grief

Anticipatory Grief affects thoughts, feelings, social life, the body, and the spirit as you wait for the death of a loved one. Calvary offers information and supportive conversations for families with patients experiencing end-of-life care.

Every Tuesday
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Every Friday
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Group Support Sessions

January 2024:
Styles Of Grieving And The Dual Process Model

Hands

Thursday, January 4
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Wednesday, January 10
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Thursday, January 18
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Wednesday, January 24
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

February 2024:
Continuing Bonds

Clasped hands

Thursday, February 1
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Wednesday, February 7
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Thursday, February 15
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Wednesday, February 21
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

March 2024:
Legacy Projects

Lantern

Thursday, March 7
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Wednesday, March 13
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Thursday, March 21
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Wednesday, March 27
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

April:
Life Reimagined & Prolonged Grief Disorder

Tree

Thursday, April 4
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Wednesday, April 10
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Thursday, April 18
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

Wednesday, April 24
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Group members will be sent Zoom links and passwords from administrators.

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