Although the approaching holiday season tends to be a happy time for most folks, there are some who may greet this time of year with less cheer.

For individuals who are trying to cope with the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be a tough time, which is why Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center has planned a Holiday Bereavement Seminar.

“We host this seminar annually,” said Jennifer Sorrells, Hospice bereavement counselor.

“It provides an opportunity for people who are grieving to come together with others who are in a similar situation.”

The free seminar will be held in a meeting room at the medica’ center’s Lanier Park campus on White Sulphur Road on Saturday. The event is for adults only.

The gathering will start with a showing of the film, “Gifts of Grief,” which focuses on the “other side of grieving,” Sorrells says.

“Instead of focusing on a loss, the film encourages people to think about the gifts they gained from their loved ones,” she said.

The film will be followed by refreshments and a discussion. The goal of the seminar is to help grieving individuals learn coping techniques directly from others who are experiencing the same sort of feelings.

The seminar is open to the public, no matter what stage they are in the grieving process.

“For the majority of participants, this will be the first holiday that they’ve celebrated without their loved one. So getting through the holidays can be a scary time for them because it’s an unknown,” Sorrells said.

“For other participants, this may be their second or third time attending. The holidays can be a difficult time, so they may need to reach out to others for support.”

In addition to the annual holiday seminar, Hospice also offers a variety of other, bereavement support groups that are typically offered in six- or eight-week sessions. The group also offers individualized bereavement services to individuals for up to 13 months after they suffer the loss of a loved one.