Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Sara – My Story

Sara talks about why she became a music therapist, espression and connecting to feelings

Rev. Sky – “Why”

Rev. Sky talks about the question of why and how to look beyond it.

Claudia – Waterlillies

Claudia talks about how she painted on panels big enough to hug to help her with her grief

Craig – Grieving as a Single Parent

In this video, Craig talks about the challenges of grieving as a single parent. He shares his own experiences and offers advice on how to cope with grief, talk to your kids about what’s happening, and ask for help from others.This video is for any single parent who is grieving the loss of a loved one. It is also for anyone who knows a single parent who is grieving and wants to offer support.

Jessica M – A Parking Lot Memorial

Jessica shares how her family gathered after her uncle died during COVID and how her family came up with a creative way of getting together in a parking lot.

Jean – My own grief and being a professional counsellor

Jean shares about being a counselor and going through her own grief

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.

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.

Jean – What grief feels like physically

Jean discusses the physical effects she has experienced in grief

Claudia – Materials in art therapy

Claudia discusses all of the wonderful options of materials to use in art therapy. Art, markers, clay, pencils, water collours, cutting, tearing. They physical engagment with the materials is like alchemy.

Rev. Sky – “What is a trigger”

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

Jen – “1st year non-judgmental”

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