About Us

In 2011 Abbotsford Hospice Society (AHS) celebrated 25 years of helping people who are dying and providing free support services to families.

For over 25 years, Abbotsford Hospice Society (AHS) has helped people who are dying and provided programs to comfort children, teens and adults on their very personal journey of grief and loss.  Services offered by specially trained volunteers include one to one companioning, support groups, family counselling, expressive therapies, music and play for bereaved children and equine facilitated grief support for teens.  Additionally, AHS offers a comprehensive lending library designed to support patients and families, along with public education, outreach and community referrals.  

Abbotsford does not have a facility with patient suites for adults as young as 19 years of age facing terminal illness. Currently spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, neighbours and coworkers are required to travel to other communities in order to visit an Abbotsford patient who is dying in a hospice facility.  Care outside of hospice costs our health care system significantly more and often provides an unsatisfactory environment for dying persons and their families.

To meet this critical need, the Abbotsford Hospice Society (AHS) will build a 10-bed facility that will care for patients as young as 19 who are unable to die at home. This new, family oriented facility, named in honour of Dave Holmberg Jr who passed away in March 2011 at the age of 48, will house a re-designed resource and support centre and ultimately the adult hospice residence.  To date AHS has raised 5 million dollars in cash and commitments and needs another 2.5 to build “Holmberg House”

Our Community Benefits from AHS frontline services

  • Offers a complimentary service that is an essential part of our health care system.
  • Promotes strong partnerships with the local health care providers.
  • Reduces emotional suffering and the risk of harmful behaviours.
  • Connects individuals who are dying or grieving alone.
  • Creates a larger support network by connecting families, children and caregivers with others who are facing end of life and its challenges.
  • Teaches skills and provides educational opportunities in hospice care and the death and dying process.