The Comox Valley Hospice Society has been supporting people through illness, dying, caregiving, and grief since 1983. Their philosophy is straightforward: these experiences are normal parts of life, and people deserve dignity, peace, and support through them. All services are free to the community, funded over 90% through individual donations, bequests, fundraising, and grants.

Services cover several areas: palliative care support for people with life-limiting illnesses, assistance for caregivers managing the realities of caring for dying loved ones while juggling work and life, and extensive grief support programs. The grief support includes weekly offerings like Mourning Coffee Café, Thursday Walking Group, and Self Care Clinic, plus monthly programs like Death Café, Unhappy Hour, and Grief 101. They also run advance care planning sessions to help people have important conversations before illness occurs, and youth services for those impacted by the toxic drug crisis. A lending library is available daily.

The Aitken Community Hospice at Ocean Front Village provides residential hospice care for those whose needs exceed what’s possible at home, accessible through physician referrals. The organization actively recruits volunteers to support their work. They’re located on Cliffe Avenue in Courtenay and can be reached at 250-871-0696. If you or someone you know is facing these difficult experiences, they’re there.