WATERLOO, ON — 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 compassion, experience, and community connection to better support individuals and families experiencing death and grief across the region.

Effective January 1, 2026, BFOMR’s programs and operations will integrate with Hospice of Waterloo Region, forming a comprehensive and expanded Grief and Bereavement Program that will offer a full range of supports — from general information and peer-led groups to specialized programming for children and professional counselling.

This integration marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter — one that brings both organizations’ proud legacies together to create a more coordinated, accessible, and innovative approach to grief support.

“Simply put, we know that we can accomplish more together and are proud to build on Waterloo Region’s tradition of innovation and compassion,” said Bruce Rodrigues, Chair of the Board of Directors, Hospice of Waterloo Region. 

“Our shared vision is to make peer and professional grief support and grief literacy education more accessible to those we serve. This new path will help us to be even more responsive to the diverse needs of our community by sustaining current programming with an eye to future growth,” added Carly Pettinger, Chair of the Board of Directors, Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region. “This integration lays the groundwork for what we’re calling a Grief Hub of Waterloo Region — a central point of connection where anyone navigating loss can find free programming, support and community at the right time.”

Together, the two organizations are aligned in their commitment to:

• Expanding access to grief and bereavement services across Waterloo Region, including rural Townships;
• Continuing specialized programs for children and youth experiencing death and grief;
• Advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in grief care; and
• Extending compassionate supports to underserved populations, including unhoused and marginalized community members.

This integration builds on Waterloo Region’s strong reputation for innovation and collaboration in health and social care. By creating a unified approach to grief support, HWR and BFOMR are setting a new standard for how communities can come together to care for one another through loss.

About Hospice Waterloo Region

Hospice of Waterloo Region is a community-based organization providing compassionate care and support to people living with life-limiting illness, their families, and those experiencing grief and loss. Through programs, counselling, education, and residential care, HWR empowers individuals to live fully until end of life and to find support through bereavement.

About Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region

Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region has been a trusted source of peer-based grief support for more than 30 years. Its programs have helped countless individuals and families find connection, understanding, and healing after the death of a loved one.

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