Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Janice – “The importance of listening”

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

Jessica M – My Story

Jessica talks about losing her grandfather at 14 when her mother was terminal, her mother and aunt died when she was 15. She felt alone until she found a peer support group

Jessica M – It’s OK not to cry

Jessica discusses how grief is individual and finding the way forward can be different for everyone.

Nicole – Grieving as a community

Nicole discusses the power of grieving together as a community. Finding connection and trust.

Madelyn – Accept what you are feeling

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

Chantal – The benefits of the physical part of art making

Chantal talks about how art can release energy in a healthy cathartic way

Tending to My Garden of Grief

So long as I remember the lives of those I have lost, honour their presence and impact on me and celebrate their spirit, they will continue to live with me and the pain will feel bearable. It will no longer stop me in my tracks. Instead, it will encourage me and propel me forward through the transmutation of that grief into something different, something more nuanced and fluid. I’d like to share a practice for processing grief which I have found to be especially helpful.

Rev. Sky – “It’s OK to cry”

Rev. Sky talks about loss due to gun violence, that it’s OK to cry and finding an outlet.

Grief, Exhaustion, & Rest

Many people consider grief to be a response to the death of a loved one, but we grieve so much more than that. Grief is an emotional response to loss of any kind. Both real or perceived loss can trigger the response. The loss of a job, a miscarriage, a breakup, losing a sentimental item,…

Adrianna – Metabolizing grief

Adrianna explains metabolizing grief and grief literacy training

Maureen – “Trust yourself”

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

Jacqueline – Humour

Jacqueline talks about how huour has a place in grieving