Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Claudia – Working with an art therapist

Claudia how all art making is theraputic and working with an art therapist amplifies the process in a positive way

Amanda – “Ministry of Presence”

Amanda discusses how being present with someone can be helpful.

Janice – “Feelings”

Janice talks about the importance of allowing our feelings as that’s the only way to get through them.

Janice – “Being triggered”

Janice discusses triggering, overreacting, under-reacting, and taking responsibility for the size of our feelings.

Janice – “Not feeling grief when someone dies”

Janice talks about why some people don’t feel grief and what it may mean.

Madelyn – Expressing your feelings

Madelyn talks about being a 2nd generation Canadian chinese and keeping grief in. She explains the importnace of expressing your feelings and not feel guilty about it

Caileigh – My own grief and supporting others

Caileigh tells about her own grief and now it has given her a really powerful lens on how to support children going through grief as well. Along with her professional education and training, there is now a different perspective on grief and how that fits in with supporting others.

Maureen – “Trust yourself”

Maureen talks about finding your own way in your healing process.

Cheryl – “What is grief”

Cheryl defines grief and talks about how we all grieve differently.

Rev. Sky – “Sharing”

Rev. Sky explains how sharing helps you heal.

Amanda – “It’s a gift to love someone”

Amanda talks about grief and it’s connection to love.

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.