Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Jacqueline – Where to store art works

Jacqueline explains how art can be like journal entries that you would keep private

Jen – “1st year non-judgmental”

Jen discusses the ups and downs of the 1st year.

Rev. Sky – “Helping a friend”

Rev. Sky discusses the grief motto 80% listening, 20% talking and how to help someone in grief.

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 – “What is a trigger”

Rev. Sky explains triggers, identifying them and what you need.

Janice – “Grief can be complicated”

Janice discusses disenfranchised grief and holding on to hurt.

Maureen – “Grief is a messy non-linear place”

Maureen explains how you wind your way through grief and that is normal.

Jean – My Story

Jean talks about isolation and grieving during a pandemic

Rev. Sky – “It gets easier”

Rev. Sky talks about time and allowing emotion.

Madelyn -Healing and support group for Asian Canadian women

Madelyn discusses the value in having your voice heard

Carrie – Validation

Carrie talks about validation and feeling that someone is full responsive and fully present to you and what is going on in your grief… feeling “felt”

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,…