Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Alongside

That is also our best, and only role, when supporting a person with a developmental disability to grieve. We must be the one that comes alongside. There is no closer place we can get to. We must be present, be with, perhaps not understanding or comprehending what the person we support is experiencing, but alongside them nonetheless. We must be there, ready to provide whatever we can discover of their unique need in grief.

Rev. Sky – “What is grief?”

Rev. Sky talks about the universality of grief and how people grieve differently.

Carrie – Thanatology

Carrie explains how thanatolgy is the study of death dying grief and loss.

Adrianna – Metabolizing grief

Adrianna explains metabolizing grief and grief literacy training

Sara – Lyrics

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

Michael – “A story of loss and longing”

Michael relays a story of a man coping after the loss of his wife.

Jenn – What an art therapist can show us about processing grief

Jenn talks about how art can give a form to grief. It can give it shape and texture so it can be seen when it is often so invisible. It can also be messy which so like our grief experience

Janice – “Grief and the whole relationship”

Janice uses a personal story to talk about how loss can be related to the whole relationship not just the death.

Rev. Sky – “Wallowing”

Rev. Sky talks about how wallowing can help you release emotions and heal.

Cheryl – “My story” short version

Cheryl talks about her daughter’s organ donations.

Jacqueline – Advice to Younger Self

Jacqueline talks about seeking help and being kind to yourself

Janice – “Grieving alone”

Janice discusses grieving alone and when its important to have people around you that can listen and understand what you are feeling.