Share their name. Honor their memory. Gather together in community.
Tell stories. Listen to music. Light a candle.
These are the ancient ways we have always found comfort and meaning in grief.

For more than 16 years, VNA Health has held its annual ANGELS AMONG US remembrance service to support bereaved families in our communities during the holidays, and to honor our beloved Angels who live on in our memories. We invite you to visit our virtual 2021 ANGELS AMONG US by clicking the play icon in the video above. If you have trouble viewing the video on this page, please click here to watch the video directly on YouTube.

We also invite you to light a candle online and join our CANDLELIGHT VIRTUAL TRIBUTE where the names of your loved one(s) will shine online through the holidays. We will continue to update our Candlelight Virtual Tribute weekly on Fridays through January 28, 2022. Simply send us the name(s) of your loved one(s) by clicking the button below to submit your names.

Both our 2021 Angels Among Us and 2021 Candlelight Virtual Tribute will be available on our website throughout 2022 so that you may revisit and reflect often.

Our deepest appreciation to all those who supported and helped create this year’s virtual Angels Among Us on December 8, 2021.

Special thanks to our 2021 Angels Among Us Sponsor

Bereavement During the Holiday Season

The need for bereavement care and support is greatest throughout the holiday season, as memories and traditions can bring up grief and loss.  As we are nearing two years of living through the COVID pandemic, the power of gathering together, even remotely, is profound for our community.

We share the names of those who have died and who live in our memory. We light candles in their honor. We acknowledge the humanness of our unique relationships — the possible hurts as well as the joys — and the range of emotions (sorrow, gratitude, anger, regret, anxiety, disbelief and many others) that may be present.

We weep — and we smile — knowing our beloved friends and family who have died are with us still, in our hearts. We refresh our souls with heartfelt stories and music. Most of all, we know we are not alone, and we feel the strength and solidarity of our beloved community.

The VNA Health Bereavement team has been acutely aware of the collective grief, pain and stress the pandemic has caused. We have felt the worry, fear and uncertainty in ourselves as well as in the many people we serve. But we are still a community, and we are all in this together.

We invite you to participate in these additional opportunities to help you during these difficult times. Click here for more information about our Winter Programs and Events.

Bereavement Resources

Loss of any kind is never easy, but it may help knowing where you can turn during this difficult time.

Our Bereavement Care team will continue to support you with telehealth grief counseling, advice, and other resources, free of charge and open to the community. Please know that we are here for you and that we understand the need to grieve and feel less alone. From our hearts to yours, we send strength and peace.

To view online resources for grief and loss please click here.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with a bereavement counselor, email bereavement@vna.health or call our general bereavement number 805.308.9602.

ESPAÑOL

Una consejera bilingüe está disponible para proveer consejeria del duelo sin costo en español. Llame a Mara Petrick, LCSW al (805) 690-6296 o envíe un correo electrónico a mara.petrick@vna.health.