Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Claudia – Art and coping with grief and loss

Claudia talk about how art is especially beneficial for someone coping with grief and loss

Cara – Defining Intellectual disabilities and grief

Cara discusses how grief literacy needs to be improved across the board for people with intellectual disabilities to learn more about grief, death and dying. There is a great need to include them in this natural, normal part of life that we’ll all experience.

Sara – Listening to music

Sara discusses how listening to music can help navigate loss

Cheryl – “My story”

Cheryl talks about her daughter’s organ donations.

Jenn – What does an art therapist do

Jenn explains how art therapist use the creative process to help people make positive changes to improve their overall health and to enhance their well being

Corrie – We cry because we love

Corrie talks about crying, hurt and love

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 – “Emotions”

Rev. Sky talks about the emotions that come along with loss and outlets that can help.

Shannon – Power of Presence

Shannon discusses how just showing up, being present is a powerful way of supporting to someone who has lost. Listen more – talk less.

Keith – “Timeframe for grief”

Keith explains it is never too late to grieve and there is no timeline.

Keith – “Disenfranchised Grief”

Keith describes disenfranchised grief.

Jean – Coping

Jean shares how coping can be complicated