Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Christian – “Stigma of opioid death”

Christian talks about the social acceptance of an opioid overdose.

Christian – “Jeff’s Story”

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

Christian – “Growth out of pain”

Christian tells about how grief changes and we grow.

Kristal – Attending Memorials as a Support Worker

Kristal discusses the importance of finding ways to honour people that have been lost and how they have impacted you. She speaks to how she often chooses not to attend public memorials for those she has lost as a support worker as they are often very overwhelming. Instead, she has her own personal rituals or ways of honouring those she has lost personally including opening a window. She discusses how this practice was used when she worked in palliative care.

Janice – “It’s hard work”

Janice explains that hard work is necessary to reach the calm and peace.

Donna – “Living with grief”

Donna talks about the threads of grief and her personal experience.

Shannon – Losing is a life skill

Shannon shares about losing her husband to suicide, her parents and her father-in-law. She felt broken and to be able to take care of her kids and her self seemed overwhelming. It took someone telling her that you can heal from trauma to give her hope for healing.

Marija – The wilderness of grief

Marija discussed acknowedging all aspects of grief and living with grief.

Maureen – “Unresolved conflicts”

Maureen shares about her Dad, anger, love and some tools to manage unresolved conflicts.

Sara – Music and celebration of life

Sara explains how music can play an importand and significant role in celebrations of life.

Chantal – Grief and art therapy group

Chantal talks about the honour of being witness to other peoples story and exploration of grief and art therapy

Craig – My Story

Craig’s story is one of resilience and triumph. In the span of just 18 months, he lost his marriage, his mom, two dogs, a cat, his job, and his house. But rather than give up, he picked himself up and started over. He went back to school to become a therapist, and now he’s helping others who are struggling to overcome adversity. Craig’s story is a reminder that no matter how bad things seem, there is always hope. With hard work and determination, you can overcome any challenge.