Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Keith – “Difference between grief and mourning”

Keith explains how grief is internal and mourning is external.

Maureen – Grief and Holidays

Maureen talks about feelings duing holidays

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.

Janice – “It’s hard work”

Janice explains that hard work is necessary to reach the calm and peace.

Amanda – “Hospice”

Amanda talks about the comfort zone in palliative care.

Coping with Guilt in Grief Playlist

Listen to the thoughts and insights of people and families living with grief.

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.

Kristal – Attending Memorials as a Support Worker

Kristal discusses the importance of finding ways to honour people that have been lost and how they have impacted you. She speaks to how she often chooses not to attend public memorials for those she has lost as a support worker as they are often very overwhelming. Instead, she has her own personal rituals or ways of honouring those she has lost personally including opening a window. She discusses how this practice was used when she worked in palliative care.

Alongside

That is also our best, and only role, when supporting a person with a developmental disability to grieve. We must be the one that comes alongside. There is no closer place we can get to. We must be present, be with, perhaps not understanding or comprehending what the person we support is experiencing, but alongside them nonetheless. We must be there, ready to provide whatever we can discover of their unique need in grief.

Madelyn – Accept what you are feeling

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

Jacqueline – How to help a grieving friend

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

Amanda – “No person is an island”

Amanda talks about the power of community and the importance of reaching out.