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Grief Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Donor Family Advocate

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

The incumbent extends grief education and support to bereaved donor family members. Provides community resources, develops/delivers grief workshops and special events, provides education to health ...

New

Donor Family Advocate

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

$16.50 - $22/hr

The incumbent extends grief education and support to bereaved donor family members. Provides community resources, develops/delivers grief workshops and special events, provides education to health ...

Donor Family Advocate

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

$16.50 - $22/hr

The incumbent extends grief education and support to bereaved donor family members. Provides community resources, develops/delivers grief workshops and special events, provides education to health ...

Donor Family Advocate

Virginia Beach, VA · On-site

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

The incumbent extends grief education and support to bereaved donor family members. Provides community resources, develops/delivers grief workshops and special events, provides education to health ...

New

The Chaplain will work in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team to administer a program of grief counseling and support services for survivors of patients served by hospice and the community at ...

Chaplain

Woodstock, VA · On-site

$24 - $31/hr

... and grief support. Our team is dedicated to reimagining how communities experience aging, serious illness, and end-of-life care through compassionate, personalized, and high-quality services.

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Grief information

See Virginia salary details

$16

$31

$58

How much do grief jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for grief in Virginia is $31.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.57 and $34.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a grief counselor?

Grief counselors are trained professionals who help individuals cope with the emotional, mental, and physical responses to loss, such as the death of a loved one. They provide support, guidance, and therapeutic interventions to help people process their grief and find healthy ways to adjust to life after loss. Grief counselors may work in hospitals, hospices, mental health clinics, or private practice, and often tailor their approach to the unique needs of each client.

What are some common challenges faced by grief counselors in supporting clients through bereavement?

Grief counselors often encounter the challenge of navigating a wide range of emotional responses, from deep sadness to anger or guilt, which can vary greatly between individuals. Building trust and rapport with clients who may initially be resistant to discussing their feelings is another common obstacle. Additionally, maintaining professional boundaries while providing empathetic support and managing one's own emotional well-being are essential for long-term success in this role. Collaboration with other healthcare professionals and family members is frequently necessary to ensure comprehensive support for clients.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a grief counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Grief Counselor, you need a background in psychology, counseling, or social work, often supported by a relevant degree and state licensure. Familiarity with therapeutic modalities, grief assessment tools, and electronic case management systems is typically required. Exceptional listening skills, empathy, and emotional resilience help individuals stand out in this role. These competencies are essential for providing effective support to clients coping with loss and guiding them through the grieving process.

What is the difference between Grief vs Bereavement Counselor?

AspectGrief
DefinitionThe emotional response to loss or death
FocusEmotional processing of loss
Work EnvironmentPersonal, emotional, often private settings
Required CredentialsVaries; may include counseling certifications or psychology background

Grief refers to the emotional response experienced after a loss, while a Bereavement Counselor is a professional who provides support and guidance to individuals coping with loss. The counselor helps clients process their grief, offering therapy and resources. Although both involve understanding grief, the key difference is that grief is an emotional state, whereas a Bereavement Counselor is a role focused on assisting others through that emotional process.

What are the most commonly searched types of Grief jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Grief jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Grief jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Grief job openings:

Infographic showing various Grief job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $65,009 per year, or $31.3 per hour.

Bereavement Counselor Hospice Hourly

Riverside

Smithfield, VA

$28.90 - $39.78/hr

Part-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Smithfield, Virginia

Hiring Range

$28.90 - $39.78/Hourly Actual pay is determined based on job-related factors such as relevant experience, education, credentials, skills, internal equity, and business needs.
Overview
The Bereavement Counselor completes a bereavement assessment of need and risk factor associated with grief. He/She develops a Plan of Care for bereavement needs including frequency of service. Must demonstrate knowledge of principles of growth and development over the lifespan and possess the ability to assess data reflective the patient's status. May make visits to patient/family prior to and/or after death and are available to families/caregivers during the bereavement period. Coordinates bereavement services to patient and families.
What you will do
  • Recognizes and responds to variances of patient care/ condition and informs the physician and other personnel of changes in the patient's needs and outcomes of interventions. Communicates information using current process and technology available to the organization. Appropriately notifies physician and team in a timely manner, utilizing the latest CHAP standards per departmental policy.
  • Demonstrates flexibility and assures patients, family, and community receive consistent, competent, and ethical care. Addresses customers needs, regardless of assignment, within a timely manner.
  • Maintains a safe patient care environment by complying with RHS policies/procedures/regulatory requirements that support National Safety Patient Goals, CHAP regulations and Quality Initiatives
  • Demonstrates the ability to build trusting collaborative relationships with a multi-disciplinary team to support patient care needs.
  • Documents counseling provided in patient's bereavement record.
  • Employee's individual productivity measures are satisfactory based on FTE/Status and average number of visits, contacts, and community support groups.
  • Assists in the development and updating of the plan of care. Conducts religious services of prayer, worship and rituals for patients/families as appropriate. Offers patients/families of different philosophies and religious beliefs opportunities to discuss and share their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values. Works with other professionals in resolving spiritual/pastoral/ethical issues. Assessing patient/family response to and satisfaction with care.
  • Ability to delegate and prioritize tasks to facilitate quality patient care and ensure all patient care needs are met. Able to recognize and respond to emergency situations
  • Develops an individualized bereavement plan of care utilizing high/low risk assessments which provides support as needed and defined by the patient/family including: caregiver's ability to function adequately, cultural diversity, response to grief and loss issues, counseling related to risk assessment for complicated grief response, pre-existing conditions that could exacerbate the grief process, family dynamics, and utilization of appropriate community resources

Qualifications
Education
  • High School Diploma or GED, (Required)
  • Masters Degree, Social Work, Chaplaincy, Counseling or Psychology (Required)

Experience
  • Related Hospice experience (Preferred)

Licenses and Certifications
  • Drives personal vehicle for RHS business 25% or more of the time to perform essential functions of the job
  • Valid Drivers License Required
Other Requirements
  • Call Rotation
  • Weekend Shifts
  • Work/Float in more than one work location

To learn more about being a team member with Riverside Health System visit us at https://www.riversideonline.com/careers.