Grief & Bereavement Counselling: Our Stories Lead The Way
The time we have with our loved ones can seem so abundant and endless, and death can change everything all too soon. With death often comes the sense that our time with our loved one is over, and that the relationship is at an end. As fresh grief settles, we can be left with emotions and thoughts about what was, and what could, or should have been. The grief we feel may never fully go away. It can keep coming at us in waves, sometimes when we least expect it. Grief can also shift and change, and lessen in intensity with time. We can find expressions for our grief that can honour the relationship to our loved ones. We can turn towards strengthening the love and connection in that relationship by letting our stories lead the way, allowing us to stay connected through remembrance conversations.
“Death ends a life; it does not end a relationship.”
-Robert Anderson
Remembrance conversations and remembrance practices can be one way to navigate these difficult experiences, and keep our relationships with our loved ones alive in our hearts and minds. The stories of our loved ones can lead the way through painful moments, and instead of saying good-bye and letting go, we can remember and honour the relationship that did, and still exists.
“A relationship does not die when a person dies.”
-Lorraine Hedtke
Grief and bereavement counselling holds space for remembrance. These kinds of conversations have been called re-membering conversations by grief and narrative therapy specialists, including Michael White, Lorraine Hedtke, and John M. Winslade. Remembrance practices do not lessen the pain of loss. They do highlight what is valued amid the loss. They can present opportunities to shine a light on the stories that bring comfort and connection, offering the space to renew and strengthen our relationships with both the living, and our loved ones who have passed.
With time, these stories can become woven into containers that hold our loved ones, allowing them to continue to give us strength and support. In grief and bereavement counselling, these stories can be told, heard, and valued.
Grief and bereavement counselling can offer dedicated space for grieving and healing by:
exploring and processing the full range of emotions with someone who is there to fully support you,
exploring remembrance conversations and practices that honour the relationships with those who have passed,
processing the truths of painful circumstances, and
helping to establish new routines and coping strategies.
If grief and bereavement counselling sounds like it might be supportive for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Here are some websites that offer support with grief:
MyGrief.ca
Helps people move through their grief.
What’s Your Grief?
Promotes grief education, exploration, and expression.
Grief Stories: Helping Grief Make Sense
Dedicated to sharing stories and insights that foster connection, and helping people to cope with grief.
Butterfly Run
Offer support those who have experienced infertility, pregnancy loss, and infant loss.
