Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Chantal – Anticipatory grief

Chantal defines antipatory grief and the grief before the physical loss

Madelyn – Rituals and the Chinese grieving process

Madelyn talks about expressing your grief in Chinese cultures and how rituals are a war of grieving providing comfort

Caileigh – Through play children learn so much about their grief

Caileigh discussed how children learn so much about their grief through play. There’s less confusion, there’s less anxiety, there’s more awareness. For the child and the parent, there is more acceptance of grief.

Cheryl – “Complicated Grief”

Cheryl discusses unresolved grief.

Jenn – What an art therapist can show us about processing grief

Jenn talks about how art can give a form to grief. It can give it shape and texture so it can be seen when it is often so invisible. It can also be messy which so like our grief experience

Claudia – Taking your art home after art therapy

Claudia talks about why sometimes not to take your art home after therapy

Madelyn – Accept what you are feeling

Madelyn talks about how it’s ok to not be ok.

Grief and Disability: Carrie’s Story

It has become clear to me over time that we have much work to do to ensure the delivery of disability-sensitive grief literacy and grief support. In March of 2022 my proposal for four 1-hour sessions was approved, we provided the program for 20 participants. My heart was full in each session.

My heart remains full of hope that conversations, education, and expertise about disability sensitive end of life care and grief support will gain momentum as more and more people join in on this vital conversation.

Madelyn – Holding space

Madelyn explains how holding space can help anyone in grief

Claudia – Materials in art therapy

Claudia discusses all of the wonderful options of materials to use in art therapy. Art, markers, clay, pencils, water collours, cutting, tearing. They physical engagment with the materials is like alchemy.

Amanda – “Reach out”

Amanda discusses the importance of connecting with others.

Jean – Grief resources and self care

Jean talks about resources that help in processing grief and self care