Grief and bereavement theories, and especially those relating to children, have changed over recent years from “getting over the loss” to “managing to live with loss”. Grief is a complex process and has a major impact on bereavement. It may begin before the person dies as the roles they have played in life disappear and communication becomes difficult, and certainly will be present during the time the funeral practitioner works with families.
Having a working knowledge of grief and bereavement will help you to work empathetically with families during the period possibly before the death takes place, during the period between the death and the funeral, and give ideas of services you can provide after the funeral. Learn how to involve children in the funeral process and how to answer that tricky question “do you think the children should come to the funeral?”
This course has a practical focus using exercises, discussion, group work and information. You will receive a certificate on successful completion.
This two day course will cover:
- A brief history of bereavement theory
- Understanding grief and bereavement in your work and interactions with families
- How family involvement can help with grief
- Working with bereaved children and how to involve them in the funeral process
- What children of different ages understand
- Losing a parent, a sibling, a child
- Children’s funerals
- Complex grief – sudden deaths, murder and suicide
- Resources for families – specialist organisations, counselling, books and videos
- Setting up self-help groups