What are Bereavement Friendly Communities?

Communities are bereavement friendly when individuals, businesses and organisations work together to support anyone in their community who has been bereaved. Death is part of life but is something we can't learn how to deal with in advance. Bereaved people often just need to talk, have their loss acknowledged or simply know that their loved one was valued. Whether or not we have had training, we can all provide a place to talk and listen. Whether you are a hairdresser, pub landlord, postmaster, part of a church or school or just a neighbour, help make your village or town a Bereavement Friendly Community. A death in our community is a loss to everyone. 

How churches can contribute

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 are churches developing bereavement support?

The aim of the Loss and HOPE project is to equip churches across the UK to become more bereavement friendly. This is being achieved through

1. Training

* Bereavement Care Awareness (how to support adults)

* ListeningPeople (how to support children and young people affected by loss)

* Bereavement Friendly Church webinar (for church leaders and pastoral workers)

2. Resources 

We have developed a tool called The Bereavement Journey - a six-session programme of films and discussion where people can process their loss in groups with others who have experienced bereavement. The Loss and HOPE project provides the materials, the training and the support that any church will need to successfully deliver the programme in their community. Find out about The Bereavement Journey HERE

How can my church get involved?

More and more churches are becoming involved! 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 but is a coalition of organisations who feel passionately about churches of all denominations across the UK being equipped to provide bereavement support in communities. Members of the coalition are AtaLoss, Care for the Family, the Church of England and HOPE Together.

 

Contact the Loss and HOPE Project