November 18, 2025
The Boards of Directors of Hospice of Waterloo Region (HWR) and Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region (BFOMR) have voted to integrate their grief and bereavement services, combining decades of trusted community support into a stronger, unified system that will better serve residents across Waterloo Region.
This integration builds on months of thoughtful discussion, collaboration, and shared vision. Both organizations bring proud legacies of compassion and service — and together, we are laying the foundation for the creation of a Grief Services Hub for Waterloo Region. This hub will streamline access to grief support, reduce confusion for those seeking help, and make the best use of our collective resources to expand programming and reach more individuals and families experiencing death and grief.
Effective January 1, 2026, BFOMR’s operations and programs will transfer to Hospice of Waterloo Region, forming an enhanced, comprehensive Grief and Bereavement Program that will offer a full continuum of care from general information and peer/volunteer-led groups to specialized programming for children and professional counselling.
In an era when many non-profit organizations are facing fiscal and operational pressures, this collaboration is a testament to visionary leadership, innovation, and shared values. By coming together, we are positioning Waterloo Region as a leader in grief literacy, equity, and compassionate community care.
Together, we can accomplish more. This integration ensures that no one in our community has to navigate grief alone — and that support will be more accessible, inclusive, and impactful than ever before.
Waterloo Region is known for its innovative spirit — and with this integration, HWR and BFOMR are proud to be part of shaping its innovative future in compassionate care.
With gratitude and excitement for the road ahead,
Bruce Rodrigues
Chair, Board of Directors
Hospice of Waterloo Region
Carly Pettinger
Chair, Board of Directors
Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region
“Simply put, we know that we can accomplish more together and are proud to build on Waterloo Region’s tradition of innovation and compassion,”
“Our shared vision is to make peer and professional grief support and grief literacy education more accessible to those we serve and to be even more responsive to the diverse needs of our community.”