Collective/Community Grief

What Can Help with Early Traumatic Grief?

October 25, 2023

When your child dies you are thrown into a nightmare. None of this is expected to be easy.
Even after several months, it still isn’t. There have been some things that have helped us during
our grief. Maybe they will help you, too.

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death of a Child / Grief and Trauma / I Am A Griever / I Am A Supporter / Supporting Others

Donna – “Grief in conversation”

December 10, 2018

Donna discusses language and talking about grief.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Collective/Community Grief / Video

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

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

Jewish Perspectives on Grieving

December 13, 2023

What is Jewish Grieving? All humans can, and should, grieve over loss of life during a conflict. No matter the beginning or the end, all violence ends with grief. Someone’s grandparent, parent, sibling or child will die. That cycle of violence must cease.

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief

A Million Other Things: Grieving a Drug Poisoning Death

April 12, 2023

Sister, father, son, niece, best friend – some of these words might be how you would describe your loved one who has died of an overdose or drug poisoning. People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) are not defined by their substance use – they are a million other things to those who love and miss them dearly. Drug poisoning and overdose deaths are stigmatized in our society. The focus is on how the person died, not who they are. Society still holds onto old notions and beliefs about drugs which come with a value judgment about people who use drugs, which further contributes to stigma. Not everyone who uses drugs is an addict and not all drug use is inherently problematic. People who use drugs deserve dignity and respect when we are remembering and honouring those who have died by overdose or drug poisoning.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death By Overdose / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / I Am A Griever / I Am A Professional / I Am A Supporter / Supporting Others

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

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

Christian – Grieving the whole person

April 23, 2023

Christian talks about how we choose remember people when there has been a loss to drug poisoning

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

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

Keith – “We need one another”

December 10, 2018

Keith talks about the importance of story, understanding our journey and how we are connected.

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Collective/Community Grief / Video

Jacqueline – How to help a grieving friend

August 26, 2022

Jacqueline discusses the power of just being there with someone in grief

Art / Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Collective/Community Grief / Supporting Others / Video