Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County is offering a grief support group starting Monday, July 9, and running for five consecutive weeks, from 1-3 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., Sequim.

The group is facilitated by Debby Smith, who has a 35-year career as a registered nurse and has been a hospice volunteer for 25 years.

Although there is no charge, space is limited and participants must pre-register with the VHOCC office 360-452-1511.

Smith brings a wealth of experience in leading grief support groups, breast cancer patient care and psychiatric medicine, program organizers say. Her goal is to provide an atmosphere for open dialogue about the death and grief process and lessen the fear and anxiety associated with loss.

Additional groups are scheduled in the coming months: starting dates are Oct. 22 in Sequim and Sept. 11 in Port Angeles.

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County is celebrating its 40th year of providing no-charge hospice services to patients and their families.

Learn more about the group at VHOCC.org or find VHOCC on Facebook.