Grief Connections

Companioning The Bereaved Information by Alan Wolfelt Expert on Grief and Loss Companioning is about honoring the spirit; it is not about focusing on the intellect.   Companioning is about curiosity; it is not about expertise.   Companioning is about learning from others; it is not about teaching them.   Companioning is about walking alongside; it is not about leading or being led.   Companioning is about being still; it is not about frantic movement forward.   Companioning is about listening with the heart; it is not about analyzing with the head.   Companioning is about discovering the gifts of scared silence; it is not about filling every painful moment with talk.   Companioning is about bearing witness to the struggles of others; it is not about judging or directing those struggles.   Companioning is about being present to another person's pain; it is not about taking away or relieving the pain.   Companioning is about respecting disorder and confusion; it is not about imposing order and logic.   Companioning is about going to the wilderness of the soul with another human being; it is not about thinking you are responsible for finding the way out.

Disenfranchise Grievers Information from Ken Doka Expert in the Grief and Loss field Disenfranchise grief is grief that a person experiences when they incur a loss that cannot be openly acknowledged, socially supported or publicly mourned. 1. Relationship is not recognized. Some examples of relationships that may not be recognized or that may be minimized could include: A friend Homosexual partner Pet loss Ex-spouse Colleague 2. The loss is not recognized. Some losses that may not be recognized, or that may be minimized could include: A pet Miscarriage Elective abortion "Not so obvious losses" such as job loss Transition loss such as retirement or child leaving for college Being victimized by a crime 3. The griever is not recognized. Some population groups tend to become invisible as it relates to grief experiences. Either it is assumed the loss is not an issue or the person "should" not be affected. Some examples of population groups could include the following: Elders Children Mental health professionals Clergy First responders Mentally challenged

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