 Grief Art Workshop Saturdays, November 19th & December 17th, 2022, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST The world seems to have gone crazy. When was the last time you had FUN and felt that you could express your grief in a safe place? Join this Grief Art Workshop hosted by The Grave Woman on Saturdays, November 19th & December 17th, 2022, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST. Cost is $44.44. (Not an affiliate.) Artistic expression is an amazing tool for expressing grief and other emotions. They will be exploring the medium of paint to explore the feelings surrounding our grief while sharing and connecting with one another. This event is intended to be a safe and fun space for those of us who work in death care, health care, and end-of-life communities, supporting others through their losses and those who are navigating grief of all kinds. All skill levels are welcome. All of the tools that you will need to paint will be mailed directly to your home or business 7-10 days before the event. You will receive an email that will include event access information 24-48 hours before the event. What you will receive: 2 Hours of shared community solace (1) Paint easel (1) 5x7 stretched canvas (1) Paint tray palette (1) Pack of paintbrushes (10) (7 ) Acrylic primary paint colors Register at www.thegravewoman.com/courses
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 Art Your Grief Classes with Emily Dilbeck
Art Your Grief classes are for grievers. Grief comes in many different forms - this class is for anyone experiencing grief - it might be a diagnosis, a death, a relationship, job loss, a dream, a home, etc. All grievers are welcome. No art experience is needed to take an Art Your Grief class. All you need is to bring yourself and be willing to show up and try painting, drawing and collage to process your grief. Explore and express your grief using art on Zoom in a safe space with other grievers. Emily will be walking you through different prompts with basic art supplies (watercolor, colored pencils, collage - nothing fancy) to help you connect with your grief while creating. The goal is not to create beautiful art (although sometimes this happens), the focus is on your grief and having a designated safe space to connect and express your grief using color, texture, and movement. Art is a powerful tool to express and explore grief. There is something beautiful that happens when we sit with it all - even if it’s extremely difficult. Next class series: Saturday/Sunday classes are Nov. 6 (Sun) 13 (Sun) 19 (Sat) 26 (Sat) (4 meetings) from 3:30-4:45 PM PDT/5:30-6:45 PM CT on Zoom $120. Tuesday classes are Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 from (4 meetings) 6:30-7:45 PM PDT / 8:30-9:45 PM CT on Zoom, $120. Wednesday classes are Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30 (4 meetings) from 8:30-9:45 AM PDT / 10:30-11:45 AM CT on Zoom, $120. Saturday one time workshop Nov. 19th from 5:00-6:15 PM PDT / 7:00-8:15 PM CT on Zoom, $36. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening (or you can continue creating). Please message Emily on Instagram to sign up. She only takes a handful of participants each month as keeping it small and intimate is important. Emily will walk you through several prompts/techniques to help you express and explore grief with art. NO art skills are necessary! Private Sessions: You can schedule private Art Your Grief sessions, an hour class is $65. Buddy Sessions: You can schedule buddy sessions of Art Your Grief for 2-4 people. An hour buddy session for 2 people is $45 per person, 3 people is $40 per person, 4 people is $35 per person. Private Class: You can schedule a private class for 5-7 people for 4 sessions of 75 minutes each for $120 a person. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening. For more information, check out the Art Your Grief Instagram page. The highlight titled “Class Info.” has all the details. Please message Emily on Instagram is you have questions or want to register for a class. For more information visit: https://www.emilydilbeck.com/art-your-grief  Art Your Grief Classes with Emily Dilbeck - September 2022
Art Your Grief classes are for grievers. Grief comes in many different forms - this class is for anyone experiencing grief - it might be a diagnosis, a death, a relationship, job loss, a dream, a home, etc. All grievers are welcome. No art experience is needed to take an Art Your Grief class. All you need is to bring yourself and be willing to show up and try painting, drawing and collage to process your grief. Explore and express your grief using art on Zoom in a safe space with other grievers. Emily will be walking you through different prompts with basic art supplies (watercolor, colored pencils, collage - nothing fancy) to help you connect with your grief while creating. The goal is not to create beautiful art (although sometimes this happens), the focus is on your grief and having a designated safe space to connect and express your grief using color, texture, and movement. Art is a powerful tool to express and explore grief. There is something beautiful that happens when we sit with it all - even if it’s extremely difficult to do. Next class series: Three options for month long classes that meet once a week on zoom: Sunday Class: Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 from 3:30 - 4:45 pm PDT/ 5:30 - 6:45 pm CT on zoom $120 Sunday Class: Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27 from 6:30 - 7:45 pm PDT / 8:30 - 9:45 pm CT on zoom $120 Wednesday Class: Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28 from 8:30 - 9:45 am PDT / 10:30 - 11:45 am CT $120 The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening (or you can continue creating). Please message Emily on Instagram to sign up. She only takes a handful of participants each month as it is important to me to keep it small and intimate. One workshop option for a one time class: If you don't want to commit to multiple classes, you can take the one-time workshop on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 5-6:15 pm PDT / 7:00 - 8:15 pm CT - $36 Private Sessions: You can schedule private Art Your Grief sessions, an hour class is $65. Buddy Sessions: You can schedule buddy sessions of Art Your Grief for 2-4 people. An hour buddy session for 2 people is $45 per person, 3 people is $40 per person, 4 people is $35 per person. Private Class: You can schedule a private class for 5-7 people for 4 sessions of 75 minutes each for $120 a person. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening. For more information, check out the Art Your Grief Instagram page. The highlight titled “Class Info.” has all the details. Please message Emily on Instagram is you have questions or want to register for a class. For more information visit: https://www.emilydilbeck.com/art-your-grief  Grief Art Workshop, Hosted by The Grave Woman
🎨Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM EST🎨. Cost is $44.44. (Not an affiliate) The world seems to have gone crazy. When was the last time you had FUN and felt that you could express your grief in a safe place. Artistic expression is an amazing tool for expressing grief and other emotions. The Grave Woman will be helping you to explore the medium of paint to explore the feelings surrounding our grief while sharing and connecting with one another. This event is intended to be a safe and fun space for those of us who work in death care, health care, and end-of-life communities supporting others through their losses as well as those who are navigating grief of all kinds. All skill levels are welcome. All of the tools that you will need to paint will be mailed directly to your home or business 7-10 days before the event. You will receive an email that will include event access information 24-48 hours before the event. What you will receive: 2 Hours of shared community solace (1) Paint easel (1) 5x7 stretched canvas (1) Paint tray palette (1) Pack of paintbrushes (10) (7 ) Acrylic primary paint colors Register at: www.thegravewoman.com/courses  Art Your Grief Classes with Emily Dilbeck - July 2022
Art Your Grief classes are for grievers. Grief comes in many different forms - this class is for anyone experiencing grief - it might be a diagnosis, a death, a relationship, job loss, a dream, a home, etc. All grievers are welcome. No art experience is needed to take an Art Your Grief class. All you need is to bring yourself and be willing to show up and try painting, drawing and collage to process your grief. Explore and express your grief using art on Zoom in a safe space with other grievers. Emily will be walking you through different prompts with basic art supplies (watercolor, colored pencils, collage - nothing fancy) to help you connect with your grief while creating. The goal is not to create beautiful art (although sometimes this happens), the focus is on your grief and having a designated safe space to connect and express your grief using color, texture, and movement. Art is a powerful tool to express and explore grief. There is something beautiful that happens when we sit with it all - even if it’s extremely difficult to do. Next class series: Three options for month long classes that meet once a week on zoom: Sunday Class: July 3, 10, 17, 24 - Sundays 3:30-4:45 PM PT / 5:30-6:45 PM CT / 6:30 - 7:45 PM ET on Zoom - 3 meetings - $120. Tuesday Class: July 5, 12, 19, 26 - Tuesdays 6:30 - 7:45 PM PT / 8:30 - 9:45 PM CT / 9:30 - 10:45 PM ET on Zoom - 4 meetings - $120. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening (or you can continue creating). Please message Emily on Instagram to sign up. She only takes a handful of participants each month as it is important to me to keep it small and intimate. One workshop option for a one time class: If you don't want to commit to multiple classes, you can take the one-time workshop on *Saturday - July 30th, 9:30 - 10:45 AM PT / 11:30–12:45 AM CT on Zoom, 75 minute session, $36. Private Sessions: You can schedule private Art Your Grief sessions, an hour class is $65. Buddy Sessions: You can schedule buddy sessions of Art Your Grief for 2-4 people. An hour buddy session for 2 people is $45 per person, 3 people is $40 per person, 4 people is $35 per person. Private Class: You can schedule a private class for 5-7 people for 4 sessions of 75 minutes each for $120 a person. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening. For more information, check out the Art Your Grief Instagram page. The highlight titled “Class Info.” has all the details. Please message Emily on Instagram is you have questions or want to register for a class. For more information visit: https://www.emilydilbeck.com/art-your-grief  Art Your Grief Classes with Emily Dilbeck: June 2022
Art Your Grief classes are for grievers. Grief comes in many different forms - this class is for anyone experiencing grief - it might be a diagnosis, a death, a relationship, job loss, a dream, a home, etc. All grievers are welcome. No art experience is needed to take an Art Your Grief class. All you need is to bring yourself and be willing to show up and try painting, drawing and collage to process your grief. Explore and express your grief using art on Zoom in a safe space with other grievers. Emily will be walking you through different prompts with basic art supplies (watercolor, colored pencils, collage - nothing fancy) to help you connect with your grief while creating. The goal is not to create beautiful art (although sometimes this happens), the focus is on your grief and having a designated safe space to connect and express your grief using color, texture, and movement. Art is a powerful tool to express and explore grief. There is something beautiful that happens when we sit with it all - even if it’s extremely difficult to do. Next class series: Three options for month long classes that meet once a week on zoom: Sunday Class: June 5, 12, 26 - Sundays 3:30-4:45 pm PT / 5:30-6:45 pm CT / 6:30 - 7:45 pm ET on Zoom - 3 meetings (no mtg. on 6/19) $90. Tuesday Class: June 7, 14, 21, 28 - Tuesdays 6:30 - 7:45 pm PT / 8:30 - 9:45 pm CT / 9:30 - 10:45 pm ET on Zoom - 4 meetings - $120. Wednesday Class: June 8, 15, 22, 29 - Wednesdays 8:30 - 9:45 am PT / 10:30 - 11:45 am CT / 11:30 - 12:45 am ET on Zoom - 4 meetings -$120. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening (or you can continue creating). Please message Emily on Instagram to sign up. She only takes a handful of participants each month as it is important to me to keep it small and intimate. One workshop option for a one time class: If you don't want to commit to multiple classes, you can take the one-time workshop on *June 25th - Saturday 9:30 - 10:45 am PT/11:30–12:45 am CT on zoom, 75 minute session, $30. Private Sessions: You can schedule private Art Your Grief sessions, an hour class is $65. Buddy Sessions: You can schedule buddy sessions of Art Your Grief for 2-4 people. An hour buddy session for 2 people is $45 per person, 3 people is $40 per person, 4 people is $35 per person. Private Class: You can schedule a private class for 5-7 people for 4 sessions of 75 minutes each for $120 a person. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening. For more information, check out the Art Your Grief Instagram page. The highlight titled “Class Info.” has all the details. Please message Emily on Instagram is you have questions or want to register for a class. For more information visit: https://www.emilydilbeck.com/art-your-grief  Camp Courage
July 11-13, 2022, at Hollinshead Barn in Bend, OR from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Registration is open for Camp Courage, a 3-day, FREE, summer art camp that provides a safe and healing environment where youth can share and express their feelings of loss and grief. Camp is July 11-13, 2022, at Hollinshead Barn in Bend, OR from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Youth from Central Oregon who have experienced a loss and are in grief are invited to register and participate in this art-based grief camp. Hosted by Clear Mourning, this year, Camp Courage is sponsored by a local non-profit partner, Partners In Care. Camp Courage provides children and teens a safe and fun place to express, share and explore their feelings and issues related to the death of a loved one. Camp Courage will be helping facilitate this by offering smaller peer groups, the opportunity to create personal artwork aimed at the child’s and teen’s expression of their own grief and allow them the opportunity to celebrate and memorialize the loved one who has died. Every child will have the opportunity to participate in outdoor games and activities. For additional details and to register a camper, visit: https://www.clearmourning.org/event/camp-courage/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=CC  Art Your Grief Classes with Emily Dilbeck: May 2022
Art Your Grief classes are for grievers. Grief comes in many different forms. This class is for anyone experiencing grief, it might be a diagnosis, a death, a relationship, job loss, a dream, a home, etc. All grievers are welcome. No art experience is needed. All you need is to bring yourself and be willing to show up and try painting, drawing and collage to process your grief. Explore and express your grief using art on Zoom in a safe space with other grievers. Emily will be walking you through different prompts with basic art supplies (watercolor, colored pencils, collage - nothing fancy) to help you connect with your grief while creating. The goal is not to create beautiful art (although sometimes this happens), the focus is on your grief and having a designated safe space to connect and express your grief using color, texture, and movement. Art is a powerful tool to express and explore grief. There is something beautiful that happens when we sit with it all - even if it’s extremely difficult to do. Next class series: Three options for month long classes that meet once a week on zoom: *Sunday, May 15, 22, 29 (3 meetings) - 3:30-4:45 PM PDT/5:30-6:45 PM CT - $90 *Tuesday, May 10, 17, 24, 31 (4 meetings) - 6:30-7:45 PM PDT/8:30-9:45 PM CT - $120 *Wednesday, May 4, 11, 18, 25 (4 meetings) - 8:30-9:45 AM PDT/10:30-11:45 AM CDT - $120 The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening (or you can continue creating). Please message Emily on Instagram to sign up. She only takes a handful of participants each month as it is important to me to keep it small and intimate. One workshop option for a one time class: If you don't want to commit to multiple classes, you can take the one-time workshop on *Saturday, May 28 (1 meeting) - 11:30 AM-12:45 PM PDT/ 11:30 AM-12:45 PM CDT - $30 Private Sessions: You can schedule private Art Your Grief sessions, an hour class is $65. Buddy Sessions: You can schedule buddy sessions of Art Your Grief for 2-4 people. An hour buddy session for 2 people is $45 per person, 3 people is $40 per person, 4 people is $35 per person. Private Class: You can schedule a private class for 5-7 people for 4 sessions of 75 minutes each for $120 a person. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening. For more information, check out the Art Your Grief Instagram page. The highlight titled “Class Info.” has all the details. Please message Emily on Instagram is you have questions or want to register for a class. For more information visit: https://www.emilydilbeck.com/art-your-grief  Art Your Grief Classes with Emily Dilbeck - April 2022
Art Your Grief classes are for grievers. Grief comes in many different forms - this class is for anyone experiencing grief - it might be a diagnosis, a death, a relationship, job loss, a dream, a home, etc. All grievers are welcome. No art experience is needed to take an Art Your Grief class. All you need is to bring yourself and be willing to show up and try painting, drawing and collage to process your grief. Explore and express your grief using art on Zoom in a safe space with other grievers. Emily will be walking you through different prompts with basic art supplies (watercolor, colored pencils, collage - nothing fancy) to help you connect with your grief while creating. The goal is not to create beautiful art (although sometimes this happens), the focus is on your grief and having a designated safe space to connect and express your grief using color, texture, and movement. Art is a powerful tool to express and explore grief. There is something beautiful that happens when we sit with it all - even if it’s extremely difficult to do. Next class series: Three options for month long classes that meet once a week on zoom: *Sunday, April 3,10, 24 (3 meetings) - 3:30-4:45 pm PDT/5:30-6:45 pm CT -$90 (3 spots left) *Tuesday, April 5, 12, 19, 28 (4 meetings) - 6:30-7:45 pm PDT/8:30-9:45 pm CT -$120 (2 spots left) *Wednesday, April 6, 13, 20, 27 (4 meetings) - 8:30-9:45 am PDT/10:30-11:45 am CDT- $120-(3 spots left). The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening (or you can continue creating). Please message Emily on Instagram to sign up. She only takes a handful of participants each month as it is important to me to keep it small and intimate. One workshop option for a one time class: If you don't want to commit to multiple classes, you can take the one-time workshop on *Saturday, April 23rd (1 meeting) - 9:30-10:45 am PDT/ 11:30-12:45 am CDT - $30 (2 spots left) Private Sessions: You can schedule private Art Your Grief sessions, an hour class is $65. Buddy Sessions: You can schedule buddy sessions of Art Your Grief for 2-4 people. An hour buddy session for 2 people is $45 per person, 3 people is $40 per person, 4 people is $35 per person. Private Class: You can schedule a private class for 5-7 people for 4 sessions of 75 minutes each for $120 a person. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening. For more information, check out the Art Your Grief Instagram page. The highlight titled “Class Info.” has all the details. Please message Emily on Instagram is you have questions or want to register for a class. For more information visit: https://www.emilydilbeck.com/art-your-grief  Art Your Grief Classes with Emily Dilbeck
March 6th, 13th, & 27th, Sundays 3:30 - 4:45 PM PT Art Your Grief classes are for grievers. Grief comes in many different forms - this class is for anyone experiencing grief - it might be a diagnosis, a death, a relationship, job loss, a dream, a home, etc. All grievers are welcome. No art experience is needed to take an Art Your Grief class. All you need is to bring yourself and be willing to show up and try painting, drawing and collage to process your grief. Explore and express your grief using art on Zoom in a safe space with other grievers. Emily will be walking you through different prompts with basic art supplies (watercolor, colored pencils, collage - nothing fancy) to help you connect with your grief while creating. The goal is not to create beautiful art (although sometimes this happens), the focus is on your grief and having a designated safe space to connect and express your grief using color, texture, and movement. Art is a powerful tool to express and explore grief. There is something beautiful that happens when we sit with it all - even if it’s extremely difficult to do. If you don't want to commit to all 3 classes, you can take the one-time workshop on March 12th, from 9:30 - 10:45 AM PT for just $30. Next class series: March 6th, 13th, & 27th, Sundays 3:30 - 4:45 PM PT on Zoom, 75 minute sessions, $90 for the class series. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening (or you can continue creating). Please message Emily on Instagram to sign up. She only takes a handful of participants each month as it is important to me to keep it small and intimate. Private Sessions: You can schedule private Art Your Grief sessions if that’s more your jam. An hour class is $65. Buddy Sessions: You can schedule buddy sessions of Art Your Grief for 2-4 people. An hour buddy session for 2 people is $45 per person, 3 people is $40 per person, 4 people is $35 per person. Private Class: You can schedule a private class for 5-7 people for 4 sessions of 75 minutes each for $120 a person. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening. For more information, check out the Art Your Grief Instagram page. The highlight titled “Class Info.” has all the details. Please message Emily on Instagram is you have questions or want to register for a class. For more information visit: https://www.emilydilbeck.com/art-your-grief Art Your Grief IG LIVE - 01 January 2022 I hope you enjoy the replay of this IG Live as I introduce you to my friend Emily Dilbeck. Emily is an abstract painter, art teacher and fellow griever. She has been teaching art for 16 years to teenagers, kids, and adults. Emily has been turning to art since she was a kiddo experiencing grief. She is passionate about sharing what she’s learned about processing and expressing grief using art and she finds joy and delight in sharing it with fellow grievers. Her goal is to provide a safe space to access and explore grief using art as well as share tools to use when students are not in class so that they can use them anytime. She shares with us how art can be a useful tool when grieving and how it can benefit grievers, and how and why creating has such a powerful healing effect and why the process is more important than the final product. Emily also tells us about her upcoming Art Your Grief Class series (January 9, 16, 23 & 30) and what attendees can expect if they join in. She also gives some tips on which art supplies she recommends for this class. Be sure to follow Emily on Instagram @artyourgrief and visit here website at www.emilydilbeck.com/art-your-grief  Art Your Grief Classes with Emily Dilbeck
January 9, 16, 23, & 30, 2022 from 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM PST Art Your Grief classes are for grievers. Grief comes in many different forms - this class is for anyone experiencing grief - it might be a diagnosis, a death, a relationship, job loss, a dream, a home, etc. All grievers are welcome. No art experience is needed to take an Art Your Grief class. All you need is to bring yourself and be willing to show up and try painting, drawing and collage to process your grief. Explore and express your grief using art on Zoom in a safe space with other grievers. Emily will be walking you through different prompts with basic art supplies (watercolor, colored pencils, collage - nothing fancy) to help you connect with your grief while creating. The goal is not to create beautiful art (although sometimes this happens), the focus is on your grief and having a designated safe space to connect and express your grief using color, texture, and movement. Art is a powerful tool to express and explore grief. There is something beautiful that happens when we sit with it all - even if it’s extremely difficult to do. Next class series: January 9, 16, 23, 30 , 2022, Sundays 3:30 - 4:45 PM PT on Zoom, 75 minute sessions, $120 for the class. The first 60 min. are for creating, the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening (or you can continue creating). Please message Emily on Instagram to sign up. She only takes a handful of participants each month as it is important to me to keep it small and intimate. Private Sessions: You can schedule private Art Your Grief sessions if that’s more your jam. An hour class is $65. Buddy Sessions: You can schedule buddy sessions of Art Your Grief for 2-4 people. An hour buddy session for 2 people is $45 per person, 3 people is $40 per person, 4 people is $35 per person. Private Class: You can schedule a private class for 5-7 people for 4 sessions of 75 minutes each for $120 a person. The first 60 min. are for creating the last 15 are for optional sharing/listening (or you can continue creating). For more information, check out the Art Your Grief Instagram page. The highlight titled “Class Info.” has all the details. Please message Emily on Instagram is you have questions or want to register for a class. For more information visit: https://www.emilydilbeck.com/art-your-grief 3/1/2021 Sara Cobb & Claudia Chappel - Instagram Live Interview replay -The ARt of living with Grief - 15 Feb 2021Read Now
Healthy Remembrance Memorial Ornament Grief Art Workshop
The holidays are upon us and it is extra important to take intentional time to care for yourself and to remember and honor the love ones you've lost. Grief always seems to tougher around the holidays, but the chaos and isolation of 2020 is unlike anything we've ever faced. That's why Danica Thurber at Project Grief put together this Healthy Remembrance Memorial Ornament grief art workshop. In this workshop you'll learn how to make a beautiful ornament that contains hand-written memories. The trouble is that the holidays are here, but our lost loved ones not. It can be tempting to either push thoughts of a lost loved one away, OR sink into the depths of despair. That’s why doing something productive - making something with your hands! - can be so helpful. This ornament is made out of a toilet paper roll. Before making the snowflake, you’ll have time to reflect and write a memory or a letter to your lost loved one. Watch it and participate for FREE. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/Wzg8oEJQIkQ If you’re interested in learning more about Project Grief resources or purchasing a course, please visit with my affiliate link: https://projectgrief.org/?affcode=182270_vqacozol  Addressing Grief with Art Therapy
Join UAB's Alys Stephen's Center for this month's FREE 'Virtual Mental Health Monday' on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 6:00 pm CST / 7:00 pm EST. Guest speakers, Drs. Patricia D. Isis and Christianne Strang, will share their professional insight into addressing grief with art therapy. Register at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1630199340475597/ 9/26/2020 The Do’s and Don’t’s of Talking With a Child About the Death of a Loved One - By Guest Blogger Danica ThurberRead Now The Do’s and Don’t’s of Talking With a Child About the Death of a Loved One 1 in 5 children will experience the death of someone close to them by age 18. (Kenneth Doka, Editor of OMEGA, Journal of Death and Dying) Talking to a child about death may be one of the hardest things you have to do in your life. I conducted a survey in early 2020 about parents’ experiences with helping their children talk about and grieve the loss of a loved one. One respondent’s answer was very telling: [M]y husband, their father, died. Telling my kids was even more painful than his death. That’s what makes this topic so complicated: along with starting difficult conversations with your children, you yourself may be deep in the throes of grief for the loss of the same loved one. While I wish that there was a way to lessen your pain, I have found that there are several things you can bring into conversations with your kids to make it easier. As another survey respondent wrote: Knowing the right language and having guidance on how to talk about death can help make the conversation less scary and have the confidence the conversation is healthy. The following tips will do just that - provide guidance that can help you have some structure, as well as some confidence, as you enter the unknowns of these difficult conversations with your children. DON’T SOFTEN YOUR LANGUAGE - BE DIRECT “We speak of heaven and of illness. We do not use words such as ‘she went to sleep’... It can be hard at first to be direct, but two years later we see great fruit from the hard conversations.” - 2020 survey respondent It can be tempting to soften the blow by softening your language (“he passed away,” “she went to heaven in her sleep”). However, kids don’t necessarily grasp the nuances of adult language. For young children especially, it’s important to use the words “dead” and “death” and then to describe what that actually means. For example: “… explain that when someone dies their body stops working, they can’t eat, talk, feel, etc. That their heart and lungs stop working…” - 2020 survey respondent My children’s book, “Lulu Faces Loss and Finds Encouragement,” portrays this type of direct conversation in a simple and emotional way. The main character, Lulu is eight years old, and because this is her first major loss, she needs to know precisely what death means as it applies to her relationship with her Grandma:  Once a child understands the physical reality of death, you can then explain it in terms of your family’s spiritual beliefs regarding what happens after death. If you’re facing an impending death, you’ve got a good opportunity to be honest with children now about a loved one’s prognosis. I know it’s hard to be honest about this, because you may be having a hard time accepting their prognosis as well. However, talking about what will happen when the loved one dies, as well as who will take care of them, and then answering their questions, will greatly help them prepare for a loved one's impending death. “My husband was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in 2016. He died in May 2019. [A]long the way we worked to be honest with our kids about how serious it was while also not wanting to burden them more than was necessary.” - 2020 survey respondent SHARE APPROPRIATELY Kids though, take all their cues from their parents. While I was in deep traumatic grief, I tried to remain/appear steady for them. - 2020 survey respondent The concept of death is something that is acquired as a child matures and goes through life experiences. Explaining death using concepts that are either too old, or too young for the child, may cause more frustration and hurt. It may be helpful to research developmental understanding of death before approaching your conversation with your child. Cancer.net has a very helpful summary. According to cancer.net, school-aged children (6-12 years old) are able to understand that death is final (AKA, irreversible regardless of what they think, say or do). However, they may still think of the deceased person existing in a changed form, such a spirit, like a ghost, angel, or a skeleton. “By age 10, [children can] understand that death happens to everyone and cannot be avoided,” that is, they understand the universality of death. They may be interested in the specific details surrounding the circumstances of that person’s death, or what is being done to the body (autopsy, cremation, burial). School-aged children “[m]ay experience a range of emotions including guilt, anger, shame, anxiety, sadness, and worry about their own death,” and they may also incorrectly assign blame to themselves, thinking they somehow caused the death. Every child will experience grief differently, but some may “[s]truggle to talk about their feelings. Their feelings may come out through behaviors such as school avoidance, poor performance in school, aggression, physical symptoms, withdrawal from friends, and regression.” In addition, school-aged children “[m]ay worry about who will take care of them, and will likely experience feelings of insecurity, clinginess, and abandonment.” In light of this age-centered understanding of death, when talking to a school-aged child about death, you may:
REASSURE THEM “Helping them know their dad is still with them, loves them and is proud of them.” - 2020 survey respondent A child’s sense of security is rocked when a loved one dies. Speaking from my own experience of childhood loss, I know that children will need an abundance of reassurance in the coming weeks and months in order to recover that loss of security. DON’T say things like these:
Hopefully you can detect the cringe-worthy burdens lurking behind these words. While these phrases may have the appearance of reassurance, they only serve to stifle a child’s grief because of an expectation of how they “should” or “shouldn’t” be feeling. Instead, here are some things you can do repeatedly (keyword!) in conversations with your school-aged child:
LET THEM LEAD “I try to just meet them wherever they are emotionally. If they want to talk, we talk. If they want to cry, we cry. If they want funny stories, we tell funny stories. I have found in my own grief, that grief is much more bearable if you’re allowed to talk about it & live in it. So i try to do that for them too.” - 2020 survey respondent It’s commonly said that a child’s inability to cope with trauma or big emotions is the their mind’s way of protecting them. Children will tend to express their grief in small spurts, rather than in long, drawn out seasons, as an adult would. In between these spurts, the child may seem completely fine. According to cancer.net, “A child’s grief may seem to come and go. And a child may rarely verbally express his or her grief. This is normal. Your child may also re-experience the intensity of the loss as he or she grows up.” It’s almost as if the loss needs to be re-processed with each developmental stage they pass. I’ve certainly found this to be true in my own experience. DON’T force a child to engage in a grief activity. Have activities such as a trip to the cemetery, a book about loss, or a therapeutic art activity ready to go for when they seem to be feeling sad or when they bring up a question. Let the child’s emotions lead you, but don’t be afraid to ask questions, either. You might also learn more from an overheard conversation during play time, or their recent drawing of the family. “When the boys were 3 and 5, their brother died as a result of a birth defect […] We learned to be more in the moment when it came to grief for them-they would be sad and ask why he had to leave one minute and then be totally ok the next.” - 2020 survey respondent WHEN TO SEEK HELP If you yourself are emotionally incapacitated by the loss of a loved one, it can be near impossible to provide the support your child needs. It takes so much courage to recognize that you need help. Attending counseling and seeking social support from other trusted adults will help not only you, but your child as well. Pay special attention to signs that your child may be having an especially difficult time coping with a loved ones death:
See source link here. YOU CAN DO THIS While you’re the adult in the situation, that doesn’t mean you have to have it all together, or provide all the answers. A listening ear, a comforting hug, and a willingness to answer questions will go a long way towards helping a child cope with the loss of a loved one. Remember, you’re allowed to grief, too. Showing at least some of your grief in front of your children shows them that it’s perfectly ok to feel their grief too. A family that learns to grieve together, no matter how messily, will be able to help each other find strength and hope as they navigate a loss, together. Books can be helpful tools for both you and your child. They can be conversation starters, as well as give you a tangible reference point for discussing things you don’t have words for (“remember how in the book, Grandma lost all of her hair? That’s what will happen to your mom soon.”). If you’re looking for a book that can help you and your child talk about things like death, cancer, hospice, or the loss of a grandparent, check out “Lulu Faces Loss and Finds Encouragement,” available on Amazon on October 20, 2020. AuthorDanica Thurber is a professional artist, therapeutic art Life Coach, and art teacher. She's also the art ministry director at Vineyard Boise. Visit her website at https://projectgrief.org/  Paint in the Park Summer Pop-Up Retreat for the Widowed
Masks & Proper Social Distancing Will Be Required. Sunrise Retreats has had to postponed their 2020 widows retreats due to safety reasons, but know that it these intimate weekends are a source of hope and nourishment for so many. So, they came up with some ideas of how the Sunrise Retreats can still connect safely with their community. They have planned a series of Pop Up Retreats this summer for widows and widowers in the Boise, Idaho area. While these events are not "support groups" they ARE opportunities to visit, connect and support each other while participating in some type of outdoor activity. This allows participants to keep a 6 foot distance and practice safe guidelines from health officials. If you had lost a spouse, and live in the Boise area, they would love to have you join them on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 to Paint in the Park at Kristin Armstrong Park in Boise, Idaho, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm. If you had lost a spouse, and live in the Boise area, they would love to have you join them. PLEASE RSVP so they can have lunch ready. More info can be found at: https://sunriseretreat.org/summer-pop-up-retreats https://www.facebook.com/events/598857420750258/  Coloring For Self Care
Join Danica Thurber of Project Grief on Monday, August 17, 2020 from 12:10pm-1:00pm MDT for this self-care, digital event. Cost is just $10. It's essential to anyone grieving, dying, or providing care right now. Self-care is NOT selfish! In this workshop, Danica will talk about the obstacles we face when it comes to taking care of ourselves. Then she'll share some TRUTH, reflection questions, and creative ideas for how to engage in self-care in a way that is both healthy AND refreshing. Included in your registration: Replay video, community discussion, private log in access to "Coloring for Self-Care" at ProjectGrief.Org, AND 3 printable coloring/activity pages to help you brainstorm ways that you can engage in self-care. Print and color these after our time together as a way to apply what you've learned. All you’ll need to participate: Pen & paper for taking notes. https://tinyurl.com/coloringforselfcare  From ‘Grief Victim’ To Grief Artist
Join this FREE, virtual grief-art-making event from Project Grief is coming Monday, July 27, 2020 at 12:10 PM MST via ZOOM. This event is part of the global festival, "Reimagine Life & Loss". In this creative workshop, you'll construct a paint palette to demonstrate the colors with which we are painting our lives and talk about the characteristics of a grief victim (who lives in only grays, blacks, and blue) and a GRIEF ARTIST (who lives out of the full color spectrum). All you’ll need to participate:
Event is FREE but you must RSVP to get the Zoom link. https://letsreimagine.org/3780/from-grief-victim-to-grief-artist  Permission to Grieve: With Watercolor & Crayon Resist - FREE Online Event
Hosted by Project Grief Monday, July 13, 2020 from 12:10 - 1:00 PM (MST) The first step toward healing after a loss, is granting oneself permission to grieve. This about HOW to do it by creating a simple watercolor art project as a way of granting that permission. Even if you’re a total beginner, art is an incredible tool for healing. During this virtual event, you’ll: 1.) LISTEN about the importance of granting yourself permission to grieve 2.) LEARN some ideas on HOW to do it 3.) TRY IT OUT for yourself with a simple watercolor & crayon resist activity. Materials: Watercolors (tubes, cakes, or even that 8 color Crayola kid set will do), Watercolor paper, watercolor brush, cup of water, paper towel, AND a white crayon (very important!). If you have questions about art materials or content, please contact Danica Thurber directly at support@projectgrief.org Register for this event at: https://letsreimagine.org/3780/permission-to-grieve-with-watercolor-crayon-resist?fbclid=IwAR3Yohw28v0LiITL9Dt_8ydTrjkNyt4LS_TgwOXPoNUdUpAXzk5GxFsB6JY https://www.facebook.com/events/276490883631514/  Art For Your Grief Journey: Going Beyond Words To Heal
Monday, June 29, 2020 from 12:10 - 1:00 pm (MST) Hosted by Project Grief, part of the FREE online virtual summit Reimagine: Life, Loss, and Love. This is a digital event. Beginners welcome! Learn how creativity can help you externalize the pain inside, and then try a simple doodling activity for yourself. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/artforyourgrief Transform An Old Photo Into a Keepsake Drawing with Project Grief
Project Grief just released a new e-course that teaches how to transform a photograph of a loved one into a keepsake pencil portrait. Step-by-step instructions and the use of TRACING (yes, tracing!) ensure that even beginner artists can achieve a high level of likeness - that means you'll end up with a portrait you can be so very proud of! The course is super affordable - only $25 - and when you enroll this month, you’ll get a BONUS mini-course: Coloring for Self-care ($15 value). If you’re interested in learning more about Project Grief resources or purchasing a course, please visit with my affiliate link: https://projectgrief.org/?affcode=182270_vqacozol  Art Journaling for Grieving Parents (& those who lost what will never be) with artist Danica Thurber of Project Grief
Follow along with the lovely Danica Thurber of Project Grief during a replay of a special Watch Party where you'll do an easy art activity. Grieving what will never be (vs. grieving what was) is a kind of loss that requires special attention and care. This kind of grief hits parents most when they lose a child. No art experience required. All you need is something to write with and something to write on. https://www.facebook.com/watchparty/2461840070812525/?entry_source=PAGE_TIMELINE Art Helped Me Through My Loss (Beautiful 1 min. testimonial!)
I was blessed to get to take the wonderful, heal online grief art course, Project Grief last year and it helped me so much in my healing journey through grief. Project Grief founder, Danica Thurber, interviewed me recently and is creating a series of video clips from our interview. This first clip is about how art helped me and continues to help me through my loss. https://youtu.be/nmP0gB1bUiY
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Sara J. CobbFounder, My Grief Connection Archives
January 2023
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