Grief changes and transforms us. Our lives are never the same once we have lost someone or something precious to us. Our journey of loss and pain is made easier with the presence of one who genuinely cares, listens deeply, and holds space for healing to happen. One whose compassion is boundless, whose listening never tires, whose companionship is loyal and true. Being listened to and cared for in this way is an act of love--
the greatest gift of all.
~Dr. Jan Lundy
What is Grief Companioning?
We all know the great value of having an empathetic guide to walk with us on our life's path. When grief and loss are involved, companionship becomes even more important. It is easy for someone to get lost in the wilderness of grief; to feel alone, misunderstood, even crazy, especially in a culture which does not normalize grief, nor truly understands its scope and purpose.
A spiritual guide or companion with specialized training in grief and bereavement can be of the highest service to someone in mourning. Because of your previous training in compassionate care and presence, you are uniquely positioned to serve grievers in ways that others cannot. As a companion, you walk alongside. As a spiritual guide, you know how to navigate life with greater equanimity because of your spiritual grounding.
A spiritual guide or companion with specialized training in grief and bereavement can be of the highest service to someone in mourning. Because of your previous training in compassionate care and presence, you are uniquely positioned to serve grievers in ways that others cannot. As a companion, you walk alongside. As a spiritual guide, you know how to navigate life with greater equanimity because of your spiritual grounding.
As a trained Grief Companion, you will be able to bring a new level of understanding, listening and presence to each encounter. Befriending grief, reconciling grief and embracing new meanings in life can become a reality for grievers who might struggle and suffer alone. Journeying with you as a Grief Companion can foster hope and, in time, help a griever return to aliveness and fruitful living.
As a Certified Grief Companion you will be able to offer grief support to clients one-on-one (akin to Grief Counseling) and you will know how to organically integrate grief and loss companionship into any spiritual guidance session.
As a Certified Grief Companion you will be able to offer grief support to clients one-on-one (akin to Grief Counseling) and you will know how to organically integrate grief and loss companionship into any spiritual guidance session.
The Metta Center's Unique Three-Strand Approach to Grief Companionship
The training you'll receive through the Metta Center to become a Grief Companion is unlike any other grief training program. It has been created by Grief Support Specialist, Dr. Jan Lundy, who serves as the Gerald May Professor of Spiritual Direction and Counseling at the Graduate Theological Foundation. She is also the creator of Pure Presence™, an inter-contemplative approach to sacred listening. Having experienced a great deal of loss in her own life, she knows firsthand the transformative power of healing through grief.
This course offers a whole person approach (pastoral rather than clinical) to grief companioning. During the training, you will engage in Dr. Lundy’s “Three-Strand Approach to Grief Companionship.” This encompasses:
1. Comprehensive grief education. Utilizing a contemporary, non-stage model based on griever’s needs.
2. Self-reflective learning. You will be asked to apply the grief companioning principles and practices you're learning to one of your personal losses. A moderate amount of guided journaling is required for this course and will be brought forth in group discussions and paired listening with peers. We cannot effectively offer grief companionship to others if we have not worked with our personal losses in healing ways.
3. Companioning skills. You will learn how to begin to companion others as they open to grief; to recognize and honor their grief so active mourning and reconciliation can take place; thereby creating hope and taking significant steps toward integrating their loss into a life of meaning and purpose.
This innovative approach allows you to:
• Receive comprehensive, state-of-the-art, grief education within a small group of compassionate caregivers
• Learn to apply companioning principles and practices to one of your losses for personal transformation within a supportive community
• Learn how to companion others through the many forms of loss, including the death of a loved one, with peer support
This course offers a whole person approach (pastoral rather than clinical) to grief companioning. During the training, you will engage in Dr. Lundy’s “Three-Strand Approach to Grief Companionship.” This encompasses:
1. Comprehensive grief education. Utilizing a contemporary, non-stage model based on griever’s needs.
2. Self-reflective learning. You will be asked to apply the grief companioning principles and practices you're learning to one of your personal losses. A moderate amount of guided journaling is required for this course and will be brought forth in group discussions and paired listening with peers. We cannot effectively offer grief companionship to others if we have not worked with our personal losses in healing ways.
3. Companioning skills. You will learn how to begin to companion others as they open to grief; to recognize and honor their grief so active mourning and reconciliation can take place; thereby creating hope and taking significant steps toward integrating their loss into a life of meaning and purpose.
This innovative approach allows you to:
• Receive comprehensive, state-of-the-art, grief education within a small group of compassionate caregivers
• Learn to apply companioning principles and practices to one of your losses for personal transformation within a supportive community
• Learn how to companion others through the many forms of loss, including the death of a loved one, with peer support
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Training Details
(Registration for Winter 2025 is now open.)
• A 4-month program in a small cohort setting (limited to 12), online, using Zoom
• Two cohorts to choose from:
1st and 3rd Mondays OR
2nd and 4th Wednesdays
• Use of 4 required texts
• Perennial Wisdom focus —open and affirming to people of all religious, spiritual and ethical persuasions
• Ideal for international students due to online format
• Meeting times to be determined once applications are received with student consensus
• Two cohorts to choose from:
1st and 3rd Mondays OR
2nd and 4th Wednesdays
• Use of 4 required texts
• Perennial Wisdom focus —open and affirming to people of all religious, spiritual and ethical persuasions
• Ideal for international students due to online format
• Meeting times to be determined once applications are received with student consensus
Upon Completion of the Training
You will receive a certificate from The Metta Center documenting your completed studies, qualifying you to formally serve as a Grief Companion.
You may also benefit from:
• Ongoing support through our Grief Companions' Circle of Care which meets monthly.
• An optional listing on the Metta Center website as a Certified Grief Companion.
You may also benefit from:
• Ongoing support through our Grief Companions' Circle of Care which meets monthly.
• An optional listing on the Metta Center website as a Certified Grief Companion.
Meet Your Facilitator, Dr. Jan Lundy
Tuition and Costs
The cost of tuition for the 4-month training is $1200.
Estimated cost for books, $100.
-0- interest, monthly payment plans are available should you need one.
Forms of payment—Zelle, Pay Pal, Venmo, Personal Check
Estimated cost for books, $100.
-0- interest, monthly payment plans are available should you need one.
Forms of payment—Zelle, Pay Pal, Venmo, Personal Check
Prerequisite for Admission
Because of the nature of the calling and skill level needed to serve others as a Grief Companion, The Metta Center requires that each student will have already received some kind of formal companionship, coaching, or spiritual care training. If you have questions about whether the training you’ve had meets our requirements, please contact us for a conversation.
Next Steps
Send us an email that states your interest and desire to join.
We will send you an application for the program. You will also receive a survey of your best meeting days/times.
If you have general questions, please contact us as well. We look forward to hearing from you!
We will send you an application for the program. You will also receive a survey of your best meeting days/times.
If you have general questions, please contact us as well. We look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you!
A deep bow of love and respect to you, my friend. I am honored you are considering investing your time, energy and heart in this training. I know firsthand how this work can alter the course of one's life. It would be a joy to partner with you, journeying together once again on this path of transforming suffering, embodying compassionate presence, and deepening Love.
May we be of kind service to all beings everywhere.
With Metta,
Jan
May we be of kind service to all beings everywhere.
With Metta,
Jan
P.S. From My Heart to Yours.
Listen in as Jan shares ...
"How I’ve Benefitted from Being a Grief Companion"
Listen here. 4 min.
Listen here. 4 min.
"Why We Need Grief Companions"
Listen here. 3 min.
Listen here. 3 min.