Where Compassionate Care Supports Grieving and Healing.

Dying, caregiving, and grieving are some of life’s greatest challenges.

We believe everyone facing these experiences — regardless of age, means, or culture — deserves compassionate support.

We are here for you

Nanaimo Community Hospice Society offers compassionate care, education, advocacy, and bereavement support for children, youth, adults, and families living with advanced illness, end of life, and grief. Our programs include palliative care support, adult grief services, child and youth counselling, wellness programs, peer support, and community outreach services designed to provide comfort, connection, and care.

  • Water Fountain in the waiting room of Nanaimo Community Hospice, BC

    Professional Grief Counseling

    Compassionate one-to-one support for children, youth, adults who are palliative, anticipating a loss, or grieving after a death. Counselling offers a safe space to process emotions, navigate change, and adapt at your own pace.

    Learn More
  • Musings on Mortality, Group Grief Support, Nanaimo Community Hospice, BC

    Group Grief Support

    Find comfort and connection with others who understand the depth of grief. Through shared experiences, compassionate listening, and mutual support, many people discover they feel less alone in their loss.

    Learn More
  • Sound Bath, Wellness Programs, Nanaimo Community Hospice, BC

    Wellness Programs

    Grief affects both the mind and body, often building up as tension, stress, fatigue, and emotional overwhelm. Our wellness programs offer gentle ways to support emotional regulation, release tension, and restore moments of calm and connection.

    Learn More
  • Outreach Vehicle of Child/Youth program, Nanaimo Community Hospice, BC

    Child and Youth Program

    Our Child and Youth Program provides compassionate grief and bereavement support for children, youth, and families experiencing loss, serious illness, or major life changes. The program offers counselling, peer support, and safe spaces where young people can express emotions and feel supported throughout their grief journey.

    Learn More
  • Garden, Nanaimo Community Hospice, BC

    Advanced Care Planning

    Advance care planning helps you reflect on, discuss, and share your values, beliefs, and wishes for future health and personal care. Learn how to choose a substitute decision maker and communicate what matters most to you.

    Learn More

About Us

Celebrating 45 Years of Compassionate Care

Entrance to Nanaimo Community Hospice in Nanaimo BC

Our Vision

To be a leading resource for issues of death and dying.

Our Mission

To offer skilled, compassionate support, education and advocacy for those living with advanced illness, dying and bereavement.

A place, a community and a philosophy. Dying, caregiving and grieving are three of life’s greatest challenges. Nanaimo Hospice believes that everyone struggling with these challenges – regardless of age, means or culture – deserves support. With compassion and dignity, our volunteers and professional staff offer free programs, resources, and education to our community where and when needed.

Nanaimo Hospice began in 1979, when Olivia Thomasson developed an interest in starting a hospice service in Nanaimo following her husband’s death from cancer. She was soon joined by Lynn Green, an RN, who worked with the dying and also saw a strong need for hospice services. Their goal was to promote a model of care that emphasized emotional/social caring for patients and families. Their dream was to build a hospice facility, with beds, where staff could promote and facilitate quality of life, family were welcome, and the patient could live out their last weeks or months in dignity or peace, surrounded by people who cared for them.

Garden, Nanaimo Community Hospice, BC

  • This year, 2026 is Nanaimo Hospice’s 45th Anniversary!

  • Olivia Thomasson and Lynn Green, RN, were the founders of Mid-Island Hospice Society, which later became Nanaimo Community Hospice Society in 2003.

  • Nanaimo Community Hospice launched a Community Outreach Vehicle in 2019.

  • Nanaimo Hospice annually works with more than 1,750 children, youth, adults, and family members dealing with end of life issues.

  • We presently have 150 client-based volunteers and 80 volunteers working at our Thrift Shoppe.

Nanaimo Community Hospice, numbers of sessions and volunteer hours, and founded year, BC

What our community say about us

“The team at Nanaimo Hospice are warm, professional, and compassionate. The peaceful environment made a difficult time more comforting.”
— Client

“Finding My Way helped me process my grief and connect with others. The program truly changed my life.”
— Participant

“The volunteers at Nanaimo Hospice were there for me during one of the hardest times in my life. Their kindness meant everything.”
— Client

“Our children felt supported, comforted, and cared for through the grief counselling program. We are deeply grateful to Hospice for helping our family.”
— Parent

Nanaimo Community Hospice inside of the house, BC

To Learn more about us

The room for Child and Youth at Nanaimo Community Hospice, BC

Letters to our community

Read Newsletters
Garden at the Night Time at Nanaimo Community Hospice, BC

Our Governance

Meet Our Board
Reception at Nanaimo Community Hospice. BC

Financial Accountability

Read Annual Report

Our Corporate Partners

Corporate Partners of Nanaimo Community Hospice, BC

Ways to Be Part of Hospice Care

Social Media

Click the icons below and follow us on social media to receive up-to-date information.

Land Acknowledgement

“Nanaimo Community Hospice Society serves the community of Nanaimo on central Vancouver Island, which is located on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the Snuneymuxww First Nations; Stz’uminus First Nations; Snaw-Naw-As First Nations and Mid Island Metis Nation. We acknowledge our traditional hosts and honour their welcome and graciousness.”