Understanding and Supporting Bereavement
Understanding and Supporting Bereavement is a compassionate and practical course designed to help learners deepen their understanding of grief and develop the skills needed to support themselves and others through loss. Bereavement affects individuals emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually, and …
Overview
Understanding and Supporting Bereavement is a compassionate and practical course designed to help learners deepen their understanding of grief and develop the skills needed to support themselves and others through loss. Bereavement affects individuals emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually, and the ways people cope with grief can be deeply personal and culturally shaped.
This course provides a safe and thoughtful exploration of the bereavement process, key theories of grief, and effective approaches to offering support. It combines psychological insights, practical strategies, and cultural sensitivity to equip learners with the confidence to respond with empathy and care in personal, professional, or community contexts.
The course is designed for a wide audience, from individuals experiencing grief or supporting loved ones, to community leaders, healthcare professionals, faith leaders, educators, and employers. Whether for personal growth or professional practice, learners will gain the knowledge and tools to offer meaningful support during one of life’s most difficult experiences.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Define bereavement, grief, and mourning and explain their differences.
- Recognize common emotional, physical, and social impacts of bereavement on individuals and families.
- Understand major theories and models of grief, including how they apply to diverse experiences.
- Demonstrate effective ways to support someone who is grieving, including what to say and do in different contexts.
- Apply self-care strategies to cope with personal experiences of loss and prevent compassion fatigue when supporting others.
- Identify professional and community resources available for bereavement support.
- Respond with sensitivity to special situations such as child bereavement, sudden or traumatic loss, or loss in times of crisis.
- Develop skills to honor memories and encourage resilience in the journey of healing and moving forward.
Curriculum
Curriculum
- 8 Sections
- 16 Lessons
- 6 Hours
- Module 1: Introduction to Bereavement3
- Module 2: Theories and Models of GriefUnderstanding theories of grief helps us make sense of the grieving process. While no model captures every individual’s experience, these frameworks provide useful insights into how people cope with loss.3
- Module 3: Emotional, Physical, and Social Impact of BereavementBereavement affects people on many levels — emotionally, physically, and socially. Recognizing these impacts helps in providing better support to those who are grieving.3
- Module 4: Supporting Someone Who is BereavedSupporting a grieving person can feel challenging, many people fear saying the wrong thing or not doing enough. This module focuses on how to provide meaningful, compassionate support.3
- Module 5: Self-Care in BereavementGrieving takes a toll not only emotionally but also physically, mentally, and socially. While mourning is a natural process, caring for yourself during bereavement is essential to healing and maintaining balance.3
- Module 6: Professional and Community SupportGrieving is a deeply personal journey, but no one has to go through it alone. Support from professionals, communities, and organizations can make a significant difference in helping individuals cope, heal, and regain balance.3
- Module 7: Special Situations in BereavementWhile bereavement is always challenging, some situations can make grief especially complex or overwhelming. These include when children experience loss, when death is sudden or traumatic, or when loss occurs under crisis conditions or in multiples.3
- Module 8: Moving ForwardWhile grief changes us, it does not have to define us forever. Moving forward is not about “forgetting” a loved one, but about learning to live with loss, honoring memories, and finding renewed purpose.3
Students List
Course Features
- Lectures 16
- Quizzes 8
- Duration 6 hours
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 1
- Certificate Yes
- Assessments Self