The Kaua'i Hospice Beeper Team, which provides bereavement support to families faced with unexpected deaths, will become a separate organization, the Bridges Emergency Support Team.

Founder and interim director Gina Kaulukukui said she hopes to take the concept statewide under a new nonprofit organization, Life's Bridges Hawai'i.

Team members are all volunteers. They respond around the clock to families in crisis, aiding with grief counseling and assisting with issues such as mortuary arrangements and airline reservations.