Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County has scheduled a series of six grief support groups for 2018 — three in Sequim, three in Port Angeles.

The purpose of grief support groups is to offer a “safe, peaceful, supportive environment where participants can share their feelings and experiences, gain a clearer understanding of the grieving process, connect with others who are grieving and develop coping strategies and skills for managing the emotional pain of loss,” series organizers say.

The first “Life After Loss” group starts on Tuesday, Jan. 30, runs for eight consecutive Tuesdays through March 20 from 2-3:30 p.m. at Hospice House, 810 S. Albert St., Port Angeles.

Two subsequent Port Angeles groups begin on May 16, meeting Wednesday evenings, and Sept. 11, meeting Tuesday afternoons; both run for eight consecutive weeks.

Midge James will facilitate the Port Angeles groups.

The three Sequim groups begin on March 12, Aug. 6 and Oct. 22. Each group meets for five consecutive Mondays from 1-3 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.

Debby Smith will facilitate the Sequim groups.

Though there is no charge, a phone interview is required for registration. For more information, to schedule a phone interview and register, call the VHOCC office 360-452-1511. (For Port Angeles groups, participants may also contact Midge James at 360-797-1006 or midgejames1@gmail.com.)

Part of the organization’s mission is to offer grief support groups, not only to families of hospice patients, but to anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a loved one.

Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County is celebrating its 40th year of providing no-charge hospice services to patients and their families. Learn more at www.vhocc.org.