Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Michele – My Story

MIchele talks about her multiple losses starting from when she was very young

Corrie – Getting comfortable with discomfort

Corrie talks about being comfortable and uncomfortable with grief

Christian – “Stigma of opioid death”

Christian talks about the social acceptance of an opioid overdose.

Cara – Grief and intellectual disabilities is a topic that needs to “get out there”

Cara shares some information from a participant in her research on intellectual disabilities and the bereaved. A person with an intellectual disability said… “Grief: It’s a topic that needs to get out there” Grief is something that so many people are hesitant to talk about, to display, to show, because there’s so many social rules around how we grieve. This is particularily challenging for the intellectually disabled.

Keith – “Knowing what to say”

Keith gives practical advice about helping someone in grief.

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.

Claudia – Being stuck and art therapy

Claudia discusses remunating how art therapist can help create different positive perspectives

Keith – “Timeframe for grief”

Keith explains it is never too late to grieve and there is no timeline.

Jessica M – A Parking Lot Memorial

Jessica shares how her family gathered after her uncle died during COVID and how her family came up with a creative way of getting together in a parking lot.

Cara – My story with intellectual disabilities and grief

Cara talks about how she came to see how people with intellectual disabilities need to be supported in grief

Christian – “Growth out of pain”

Christian tells about how grief changes and we grow.

Amanda – “No person is an island”

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