Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

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.

Marija – Acknowledging feelings

Marija talks about our tools for coping

Jeff K – “What is grief”

Jeff discusses the many aspects of grief and how we are all connected. Jeff continues to grieve the death of his mother.

Jessica M – It’s OK not to cry

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

Madelyn – Holding space

Madelyn explains how holding space can help anyone in grief

Children’s Grief and Loss Toolkit (ages 6-12) [FREE Downloadable PDF]

Grief is a natural experience, and is considered one of the most stressful life events a person can experience. 1 in 14 children under the age of 18 will experience the death of someone close to them. Every year, approximately 200 000 children are grieving the death of someone in their extended family or community.…

Christian – “Jeff’s Story”

Christian tells Jeff”s story… the good and his struggles.

Caileigh – Advice to my younger self about grief

Caileigh talks about things that you can do to balance out feelings that it’s okay to experience all of the big feelings that you have, to find joy in little moments, and to find ways that you can cope with those big feelings.

Keith – “Difference between grief and mourning”

Keith explains how grief is internal and mourning is external.

Jacqueline – Where to store art works

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

Jacqueline – My Story

Jacqueline talks about getting through the feelings after her mother’s death

Sara – Lyrics

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