Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Christian – “Remembering together in a meaningful way”

Christian discusses the power of memories.

Rev. Sky – “What is trauma?”

Rev. Sky discusses how trauma affects us on many levels.

Janice – “The importance of listening”

Janice explains the importance of not being judgemental and listening when helping someone is in grief.

Keith – “Hope”

Keith talks about time, healing and hope.

Carrie – Photography and grieving

Carrie discusses how photography can be very freeing in that it allows for exploration and move us away from the need to explain and can be more about experience what our own process is all about.

A Million Other Things: Grieving a Drug Poisoning Death

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.

Corrie – Pandemic of grief

Corrie discusses how much grief there is

Keith – “Difference between grief and mourning”

Keith explains how grief is internal and mourning is external.

Jean – Coping

Jean shares how coping can be complicated

Christian – “Jeff’s Story”

Christian tells Jeff”s story… the good and his struggles.

Janice – “Crying”

Janice explains how crying helps physically and emotionally.

There One Day and Gone the Next : Art Therapy and Grief

This blog post contains information about using art therapy to process grief, including specific examples.