Collective/Community Grief

Collective Grief

May 22, 2022

When the death of a person affects many members in a community, city, country, or across the world, people will experience collective grief.

These are some things that can help people through the experience of collective grief across a community.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death By Overdose / Death During Service / Death of a Child / Death of a Grandparent / Death of A Loved One / Death of a Parent / Death of a Partner / Death of a Sibling / Grief and Trauma / In Memoriam / Suicide / Supporting Others

The Meaning of Tisha B’Av

July 26, 2023

Starting on sundown, July 26th , some Jews will begin to fast. Unlike the more well-known Yom Kippur,
which is for atonement, Tisha B’Av is a specific holiday for mourning and grief. Its exact date varies with the ancient Jewish lunar Calendar, but is sometime in July or early August. All Jewish commemorations
begin in the evening due to this lunar calendar.

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Grief and Trauma

Beauty found at the edges: a portrait of community support

March 1, 2023

I’d sent a text saying “Hello friends, I’m putting out a call for flowers. I went to public school with Kory, the young man who died in downtown Cobourg this week, and though I hadn’t seen him in recent years, I feel the loss of him on a community level, as I imagine you do, too. Some of Kory’s people are gathering tonight in vigil at the bank where he died, and I’m gathering flowers from those of us who have gardens to share with this grieving community. Do you have some blooms in your garden that you’d be willing to share?”

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death By Overdose / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / I Am A Griever / I Am A Supporter / Supporting Others

Antoinetta – Grieving in community with others

January 26, 2023

Antoinetta discusses how grief camp made her feel so much more happy and how she found support and that she did not feel so alone

Collective/Community Grief / Death of a Parent / Video

Nicole – Power of Speaking About Lost Ones

March 25, 2023

Nicole discusses the importance of sharing memories of those lost to drug poisoning and speaking their names.

Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death By Overdose / Death of A Loved One / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / I Am A Griever / I Am A Professional / I Am A Supporter / Supporting Others / Video

Christian – My process in grieving

April 23, 2023

Christian explains his grieving process and how it’s important to let people in, the power of community, and having a team that makes him feel loved and cared for

Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death By Overdose / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / I Am A Professional / Video

Nicole – Pandemic’s Effect on Safe Spaces and Mental Health Access

March 25, 2023

Nicole discusses how the pandemic affected access to safe spaces and shelters for those living rough and living with addiction.

Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death By Overdose / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / Supporting Others / Video

Thoughts on International Overdose Awareness Day 2023

August 30, 2023

We lead multifaceted lives, and the deaths of those we love who have died by drug poisoning contain multitudes. The death of a loved one can bring intense grief, shock, anger, shame, or guilt. People who use drugs, and those who love them that they leave behind, face stigma in North America’s dominant, settler culture.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death By Overdose / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic

Donna – “Grief in conversation”

December 10, 2018

Donna discusses language and talking about grief.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Collective/Community Grief / Video

Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other Special Days

September 15, 2022

When we are grieving, some days are more difficult than others. Grief comes in waves like the sea and can feel like an intertwining labyrinth of emotions. Birthdays, anniversaries, and special dates that are associated with our loved one who has died can contribute to more emotionally intense days which can be worsened through the anticipation and “what ifs” of the upcoming day. These difficult days can leave us feeling defeated and it can almost feel like we’ve taken two steps backward in our grieving process, but grief does not have a timeline, and these feelings of setbacks are opportunities for healing.

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Grief and Trauma / I Am A Griever

Nicole – Stigma Surrounding Drug Use

March 25, 2023

Nicole discusses how the stigma around drug use has an impact on how people feel able to grieve when those in their community are lost.

Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death By Overdose / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / Supporting Others / Video

Christian – “Remembering together in a meaningful way”

October 1, 2019

Christian discusses the power of memories.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Collective/Community Grief / Grief and Trauma / Video