Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County offers a free, weekly grief support group this month in Sequim, starting 1-3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.

The group will run five weeks until Sept. 20 — skipping Labor Day — and will be facilitated by Debby Smith, who has a 35-year career as a registered nurse and has been a hospice volunteer for 28 years.

Smith brings her wealth of experience in leading grief support groups, breast cancer patient care and psychiatric medicine, program organizers say.

“Her goal is to provide a safe atmosphere for open dialogue about the death and grief process and lessen the fear and anxiety associated with loss,” they said.

Although there is no charge, space is limited in each group and participants must register with the VHOCC office by calling the reception desk at 360-452-1511.

People on the waiting list will have the choice to register for another group starting in Port Angeles on Sept. 8 or later in Sequim on Oct. 25.

Since 1978, VHOCC has been providing free hospice services to patients and their families in Clallam County. Part of VHOCC’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.

For more information, visit VHOCC.org or facebook.com/Volunteerhospiceofclallamcounty, or call 360-452-1511.