Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Sara – Lyrics

Sara talks about how lyrics can have an impact on how we experience music

Christian – “Overdose Death”

Christian talks about an overdose death not defining who that person was.

Maureen – “They are still your child”

Maureen explains how you find different ways of parenting.

Janice – “Grief is a response to loss”

Janice discusses waves of grief and how important it is to go with it.

Caileigh – Working with children in grief

Caileigh shares why she likes working with and supporting children in grief. “Over the course of their lives, children and youth and families experience a lot of losses, and it’s an empowering job to empower others. I’m not only empowering them, but I’m also building parent capacity in recognizing that it does take a village and it takes a community to support a child.”

Rev. Sky – “Weepies”

Rev. Sky talks about weepies, that they are OK and how to deal with them.

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.

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.

Christian – “When people say dumb things”

Christian explains how he deals with people who say dumb things.

Caileigh – Parent Capacity

Caileigh discusses parent capacity and and how to support their child through their grief is all about inspiring them and empowering them so that they can help their child.

Rev. Sky – “Youth alert”

Rev. Sky talks about youth and when it’s time to reach out for support.

Janice – “Photographs”

Janice explains how photographs can be a doorway to help move forward.