Going Deeper | Grief

Grief- it’s a healthy, spontaneous, and unavoidable response to loss.

Grief and loss are a part of life – for all of us. However, it is contextual because social and personal factors influence and impact grief. At some point, all of us will encounter loss- death or non-death-related. However, grief is normal, natural, and one of the most powerful emotions. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most neglected and misunderstood experiences, often by the grievers and those around them. Therefore, it can be helpful to explore more about how we experience and process grief, factors that influence our grieving, and how we create space for and support the bereaved. 

Factors influencing grief

Culture, religion/spirituality, previous history with loss, how we talk about death, and how we grieve and mourn may vary from person to person. Identity is multifaceted, and this intersectionality can create paradoxical experiences for people when they are grieving. Other considerations, such as intersectionality, bias, anticipatory grief, generational trauma, disenfranchised grief, and a lack of social support, also impact our dying and grieving process. 

The benefits of learning about grief

Going Deeper for Grief is designed to meet the needs of people who desire to gain knowledge and skills to support themselves or others processing grief. It benefits people from various backgrounds, including doulas, caregivers, hospice staff and volunteers, clergy, funeral directors, medical professionals, students, and other interested professionals, as well as lay people.