Facing Loss, together
The Funny Thing about Death click title to order
Death is among the most natural, and most confusing, parts of being human. Its inevitability and universality do nothing to alleviate our messy feelings about the subject. It's why you have no idea what to say when your friend loses a beloved family member. You are not alone. Somehow, our privileged North American ethos has taught us that we need not suffer, that a quick fix to pain and sadness is always available. But this "no-tears please" approach has created a culture of loss avoidance and stifled the natural human need to grieve and mourn losses.
Order the book, The Funny Thing About Death to discover an alternative course of action for a society that's decided an absence of emotion around death's unavoidability is the best way to deal with it. In its pages, readers-including adult children watching parents recede and die-will find comfort and counsel on how to lean into the discomfort of grief and allow natural mourning to occur. By sharing stories about death-both her own and those with which she's come into contact through her bereavement work-Donna Lynne Erickson shows that healing is possible and that there are safe places in which to do so. Ultimately, she looks to challenge the way society regards bereavement, grief, and mourning, and to inspire a revolution that offers a fresh reception of the subject. We all face loss, eventually-let's do it together.
Grief Care Aide
Through Facing Loss Workshops, I offer education to those who want to help those who are grieving. Since 2011, I co-facilitate workshops that are designed for those acutely grieving, friends and families of those suffering loss and to professionals who want practical resources to serve their clients. Reconciling the reality of loss comes as you tell your unique story.
Donna Lynne says, “There are no experts in grief and loss. If you want to be helpful to someone who is bereaved, simply walk alongside them in their journey and let them teach you what is meaningful to them. The fellowship of such suffering is a sacred privilege.” Go to Center for Loss here
“We live in a society that is so pain avoidant and fearful of aging and dying that we easily consume the marketers, merchandizers and media messaging that sells us a sense of false security. Yet, the polar opposite news reports, on the same screens that invade our homes, workplaces and in the palms of our hands on social media tells us of war, disasters and diseases are real. Our ‘no-tears-please-it-makes-me-uncomfortable’ society is in a state of chronic illness, social woes and frantic busyness shoves down the silent suffering where we internalize sorrow.” DLE
“When you are opening the door to your home, pause holding onto the handle and name the first emotion that you feel. Don’t stuff it, absorb the meaning of why it showed up for you. Embrace it, own it and write it out when you can.” Chris Z. Erickson, RN quoted in Doorknob Test presentation, Words, etc. 2004
When we suffer loss, we are bereaved. We experience grief (internal sadness we feel) and my hope is to inspire others to understand the mourning process has to take place in a safe space. We all have unique stories of loss. We are able to reconcile our losses when we are given this place to tell and re-tell the story without someone trying to fix us. We all need validation in our stories—we don’t need to be cheered up, distracted or numbed in our sadness.
There is hope for your grief when we find that sanctuary of mourning where we are not judged.
Mourning is the way through your painful internal emotions of grief.
Facing Loss, Together is a full day seminar where
Let the bereaved teach you!
Watch here for 2024 dates of Facing Loss Seminars
Since 2011, Donna Lynne Erickson and co-facilitator, Colette Howery have led hundreds of people on this Bereavement and Grief.
The next event will be held on Oct 3, 2024 in Camrose Alberta. We start at 9:30 and wrap up by 3:30. Bring a bag lunch and accept this no cost education event as the Hospice Society of Camrose and District is sponsoring the event.
