The holiday season can be a very difficult time for people who have lost loved ones. Alive Hospice is offering a special gift to the community that can help: free Grief During the Holidays seminars in Nashville and Murfreesboro.

These seminars will provide an overview of the grieving process, tips and strategies for coping with grief during the holiday season, and a time of remembrance. There is no cost for attending, but reservations are required due to limited space.

Grief During the Holidays schedule:

Nashville seminars: Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Alive Hospice’s administrative office, 1718 Patterson St. near downtown Nashville. Registration is required. RSVP online at alivegriefsupportservices.eventbrite.com or by calling (615) 963-4732.

Murfreesboro seminar: Dec. 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 210 N. Spring St. Registration is required. RSVP online at alivegriefsupportservices.eventbrite.com or by calling (615) 907-1677.

“People typically don’t think about the holidays in regard to their grief unless they have been forewarned,” said Grief Counselor John Baker, who will facilitate the Nashville seminars. “They end up having the holidays arrive on their doorstep with no preparation. They can make choices for themselves that hopefully will make the holiday experience less intense, more tolerable and less fearful.”

Alive Hospice’s Murfreesboro grief counselor, Pam Quaintance said, “One of the things most people experience when they’re grieving is the feeling of isolation. Walking into a room full of other people who are also grieving helps to take that feeling away.”

Alive Grief Support Services, the bereavement support program of Alive Hospice, also offers individual grief counseling and support groups for adults and children throughout the year. Anyone can take advantage of these services, regardless of whether a loved one was served by Alive Hospice.

For more information about Alive Grief Support Services, call (615) 963-4732 or visit www.alivehospice.org.