Bereavement, grief part of life

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, is the 2nd Annual Bereavement Day in Canada. This year’s theme is, “Grief and bereavement is a part of life.” For each death, there are at least five others impacted by the loss – family, friends, colleagues.

We need to start sharing with our children that grief and bereavement are a part of life. We need to be open and honest with them about dying and death. Last week, was Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

Often, children, teens and young adults are the forgotten grievers in our midst. There are deaths that are not readily acknowledged, including the death of a pet, co-worker or former partner. Certain deaths are also stigmatized by society, such as deaths by suicide or drug overdose.

Workplaces need to create inclusive bereavement policies that recognize special relationships, that are not defined by familial connections.

Those who are grieving need to know that grief can manifest in a myriad of ways – physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially. We need to recognize that bereavement does not follow a linear process or certain stages. Most importantly, those of us who are grieving need to know that we have people around us who care, who are willing to listen or sit in silence, when needed.

Jodi Swan RSW, CT, GC-C, Certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement, Charlottetown