Course Content
Introduction to Grief Companionship:
Why the Grief Companionship model? Its uniqueness and value in today's world
The spiritual nature of grief (vs. a medical model - grief is not an illness)
"The Nine Tenants of Companioning the Bereaved" (Wolfelt, 2006)
Misconceptions and cultural myths about grief and mourning; "Our models of grief are broken." (Devine, 2017)
Beyond stage theory: focusing on the needs of grievers and tasks of mourning
A holistic approach to grief care
Types of grief
The Art of Grief Companioning
How and why spiritual directors/guides and mentors are uniquely positioned to serve as Grief Companions
The Grief Companion as grief educator
Promoting and honoring a model for "slow grief"
Deepening skills for holding space through paced, compassionate listening (Pure Presence, Lundy, 2017)
How to hold (rather than carry) the pain and suffering of another with equanimity and compassion
Befriending your own grief as you companion others
Deepening self-compassionate awareness (Living Gently with Myself, Lundy, 2018)
Walking alongside and being taught by the griever: "being there" instead of being an expert
Knowing when to refer a griever to a clinical counselor
Addressing all the "other losses" (non-death related losses)
Serving the Griever in Meaningful Ways
Each one unique: normalizing grief for the griever
How to explore the intense feelings of grief with someone
Helping grievers give voice to difficult emotions and develop a new relationship with them
The importance of "dosing" grief
The significance of mourning rituals (creating personal rituals of remembrance)
The importance of creating a new relationship with a deceased loved one
Expressive options: processing grief through creativity (art, music, dance, etc.)
The E.L.M.S. Approach: promoting "Extraordinary, Loving, Mindful, Self-Care during mourning (Lundy, 2017)
Understanding grief as a spiritual journey
Attending to spiritual needs and existential questions
Spiritual practices and healing rituals for mourners
Pro-active healing: assisting grievers in assessing, honoring and speaking their grieving needs to others
Choosing hope and healing (co-creating a supportive "healing team" with a griever)
The Transformative Power of Grief
Pointing a griever toward reconciliation instead of closure
Allowing grief to change us; embracing a new post-loss identity
Transcending grief to uncover deeper meaning and purpose in life (Frankl, 1983)
Living the questions: the ultimate nature of living with ongoing loss and grief
©Janice L. Lundy, 2023
Why the Grief Companionship model? Its uniqueness and value in today's world
The spiritual nature of grief (vs. a medical model - grief is not an illness)
"The Nine Tenants of Companioning the Bereaved" (Wolfelt, 2006)
Misconceptions and cultural myths about grief and mourning; "Our models of grief are broken." (Devine, 2017)
Beyond stage theory: focusing on the needs of grievers and tasks of mourning
A holistic approach to grief care
Types of grief
The Art of Grief Companioning
How and why spiritual directors/guides and mentors are uniquely positioned to serve as Grief Companions
The Grief Companion as grief educator
Promoting and honoring a model for "slow grief"
Deepening skills for holding space through paced, compassionate listening (Pure Presence, Lundy, 2017)
How to hold (rather than carry) the pain and suffering of another with equanimity and compassion
Befriending your own grief as you companion others
Deepening self-compassionate awareness (Living Gently with Myself, Lundy, 2018)
Walking alongside and being taught by the griever: "being there" instead of being an expert
Knowing when to refer a griever to a clinical counselor
Addressing all the "other losses" (non-death related losses)
Serving the Griever in Meaningful Ways
Each one unique: normalizing grief for the griever
How to explore the intense feelings of grief with someone
Helping grievers give voice to difficult emotions and develop a new relationship with them
The importance of "dosing" grief
The significance of mourning rituals (creating personal rituals of remembrance)
The importance of creating a new relationship with a deceased loved one
Expressive options: processing grief through creativity (art, music, dance, etc.)
The E.L.M.S. Approach: promoting "Extraordinary, Loving, Mindful, Self-Care during mourning (Lundy, 2017)
Understanding grief as a spiritual journey
Attending to spiritual needs and existential questions
Spiritual practices and healing rituals for mourners
Pro-active healing: assisting grievers in assessing, honoring and speaking their grieving needs to others
Choosing hope and healing (co-creating a supportive "healing team" with a griever)
The Transformative Power of Grief
Pointing a griever toward reconciliation instead of closure
Allowing grief to change us; embracing a new post-loss identity
Transcending grief to uncover deeper meaning and purpose in life (Frankl, 1983)
Living the questions: the ultimate nature of living with ongoing loss and grief
©Janice L. Lundy, 2023