Being bereaved can be one of the most difficult times in life, and the grief journey can be long and arduous.  It can impact in the weeks, months or even years after a death – and even before, when someone is dying.  But if understanding support is found, most people will learn to navigate their loss and come to a healthy place of new meaning and hope.  Bereavement also raises spiritual questions and can leave people wondering about the goodness and existence of God and the afterlife. 

Churches are in every community and are well placed to provide the support that is needed. That's why AtaLoss launched the Loss and HOPE project in 2020. The timeliness of the project launch, just as the pandemic was starting, has given churches the opportunity to lead the way in the provision of bereavement support in their communities.

How churches are providing bereavement support

Through its Loss and HOPE project, AtaLoss is equipping churches across the UK to become more bereavement friendly through

1. Training

• On how to support adults through bereavement care awareness workshops 

• On how to support children and young people affected by loss through our ListeningPeople project

• To support church leaders and pastoral workers keen to develop bereavement support in their churches through our Bereavement Friendly Church webinars.

2. Resources 

Over twenty years ago, we developed a tool called The Bereavement Journey - a programme of films and discussion that addresses all the emotions we encounter in bereavement. Tried and tested, this has been developed further to include an optional session covering faith and bereavement. By attending, people can process their loss in groups with others who have experienced bereavement. Early in 2023 we set about updating and refreshing the entire programme to be more inclusive and to make it easier for churches to deliver.  We provide the updated materials, the training and all the support that any church will need to successfully deliver the programme in their community. The following short video explains more about running The Bereavement Journey.

How can my church get involved?

More and more churches are becoming involved and with people increasingly being referred to courses by community link workers and social prescribers. Have a look at the map HERE to see churches already delivering The Bereavement Journey across the UK. More details about each course can be found in the bereavement services section of this website. The materials can be acquired from the dedicated website HERE. They can be used for running The Bereavement Journey face to face or on-line.

AtaLoss also runs a national on-line The Bereavement Journey course three to four times a year which we use as an opportunity for churches to get their teams trained in readiness for running their own course. And on-going, our Loss and HOPE Project team, provide support and advice. Contact the Project Manager if you have questions.

For more information about the Loss and HOPE Project and the resources available go to the website HERE.

The Loss and HOPE project is managed by AtaLoss and is a coalition of organisations who feel passionately about churches of all denominations across the UK being equipped to provide bereavement support in communities. 

 

Contact the Loss and HOPE Project