Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Christian – “When people say dumb things”

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

Calls to Care, Calls to Action: Bearing Witness to Global Catastrophic Loss of Life and Traumatic Events

We bear witness to stories of mass loss of lives, stories of families in Gaza being forced from their land, loss of culture and traditions, and countless other ways systems of colonization and oppression can contribute to other non-death losses those who are directly affected currently and have historically faced. As we discussed in a previous article, we can also experience collective grief following natural disasters, accidents, international conflict, and acts of violence that have resulted in catastrophic loss of lives.

Cheryl – “What is grief”

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

Chantal – Graphic novels and art therapy

Chantal defines what a graphic novel is and how words mix with imagery like a dance

Michele – My Story

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

Donna – “Grief in conversation”

Donna discusses language and talking about grief.

Madelyn – The power of music

Madelyn – discusses the potency of music and processing good and bad memories

Jessica M – Legacy

Jessica explains legacy and gives examples including her own.

Adrianna – Triggers and the ball in the box analogy

Adrianna gives some great insights on how to deal with triggers

Janice – “Grief can be complicated”

Janice discusses disenfranchised grief and holding on to hurt.

Maureen – “If someone you know has experienced pregnancy & infant loss”

Maureen explains practical tools to help someone who is grieving.

Cara – Intellectual disabilities, sharing and expressing about grief

Cara discusses how it’s very important that people living with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to not only know about the information about the person being ill and dying and having the choice and opportunity to go to after death rituals. It’s also really important that they get the opportunity to share their story in whatever way they communicate. This can be verbally through sign language, through communication books, art, music, going for walks, being in nature