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Adolescents and Grief: Interview with Dr. Ken Doka

Posted on August 4, 2014 - by Gloria Horsley

At the annual ADEC (Association of Death Education and Counseling) conference, I spoke with Dr. Ken Doka about adolescents and grief. Adolescents have different issues when it comes to grief. Ken discusses these in detail in the video below. Here are some key takeaways from the video: Adolescents are in transition, and because they’re in transition, sometimes their grief isn’t recognized or acknowledged by others around them. Adolescents will often keep their grief hidden because they don’t like to appear different or needy; they would rather project independence and strength. Adolescents often grieve while they’re isolated and alone. A younger […]

Responding to Loss: Moving On, Moving Forward, Moving In

Posted on August 2, 2014 - by Lisa Irish

Perhaps you have heard the phrase, “Maybe it’s time to move on…” These words are actually offered as (presumed) words of comfort to grieving people! I still shake my head at the idea that this is said by a friend or family member to someone who is hurting. Move on…to me this suggests “moving away from” as in packing your bags and boxes and leaving. Or it suggests making a switch from one thing to another, as in “I don’t like that sushi restaurant, let’s try the new one down the street.” I don’t understand how one can “move on” […]

How to Receive Signs from Your Deceased Loved Ones

Posted on August 1, 2014 - by Karen Noe

Our deceased loved ones are not gone. They are able to be with us whenever they choose, and are even able to help and guide us throughout our lives. If you’d like to hear from them, all you need to do is to ask them to give you “without a doubt” signs to let you know they are with you. Then watch for these signals that let you know that they truly are around. They may come to you in dreams, send you unmistakable messages through the radio or on the license plates of cars that cut you off. They […]

Tips for Coping with Traumatic Loss

Posted on July 30, 2014 - by Ami Neiberger-Miller

ARLINGTON, Va. – Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy, but a sudden and traumatic loss can raise special concerns for the family members and friends left behind. Aviation tragedies, combat, homicide and other types of violent deaths can be particularly difficult. These deaths are unexpected and survivors must grapple with the knowledge that their loved ones experienced trauma. Founded by a military widow after her husband died in a plane crash, the nonprofit organization Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) assists bereaved military families. TAPS has assisted more than 50,000 people since 1994. More than […]

Traumatic Grief: Are You At-Risk for Post-Traumatic Stress

Posted on July 28, 2014 - by admin

Special article by Jill Harrington LaMorie, MSW, LCSW, DSW This article was first published in Volume 17 Issue 2 of TAPS Magazine. Reprinted with permission. Imagine driving down the street and crossing an intersection. You glance quickly left and right, but out of nowhere you are hit by an oncoming vehicle. The impact is painful, crushing, debilitating. It takes your breath away and spirals you out of control for what seems like an eternity. Spinning, spinning, spinning, you finally come to a stop and have the sudden realization that you have survived. Time stands still; everything around you is in […]

The Chauffeur’s Flower: Memories of an Early Loss

Posted on July 26, 2014 - by Lisa Irish

The day of my father’s funeral stands out in my mind. I remember blue sky and sunshine. It was six days after my eleventh birthday. At the end of the day, the chauffeur from the limousine handed me a carnation he had been wearing. I took it home, pressed it and always remembered the kindness of that moment in the midst of a big feeling of emptiness. My dad had been sick for a while. In fact, the Christmas before this July day, my mother announced “this would be Daddy’s last Christmas.” But that is a story for another time. […]

Colors of the Spirit: We Are All One in Grief

Posted on July 24, 2014 - by David Roberts

Embracing Sacred Law From July 11, 2014 through July 13,2014, I attended the 37th National Conference of The Compassionate Friends in Chicago, Illinois.I have been attending and presenting workshops for this great organization whose focus is to provide hope and support to families who have experienced the death of a child, since 2008. I always look forward to meeting old friends, making new ones ,and for the opportunity to share teachings that I have discovered since the last conference. Since my daughter Jeannine’s death at age 18 of cancer, on 3/1/03, I have undergone a metamorphosis from an uncertain, pain […]

Grief Down Under: Australians React to Malaysia Airlines Crash with Compassion

Posted on July 24, 2014 - by Susan Reynolds

I arrived in Belgium on 9-11-01, a visitor in a foreign country during a tragically tumultuous time of loss and confusion. Last week, I awoke in Australia to another civilian disaster — the shooting down of the Malaysia Airlines plane — with the same ingredients linking global grief and sorrow. Outcries once again echoed across borders. The television reports in Australia were somber and as factual as possible. I was overwhelmed by the lack of “finger pointing” and their grieving words. This is a country of adventurers and mavericks. Traveling is in the genes of the Aussies, encouraged by the […]

How to Live Through Intense Grief

Posted on July 22, 2014 - by Dena Clayton

Loss has been a prevalent theme intersecting with my life over the past six weeks. In this time, there have been four deaths of people whose lives have touched me warmly: my sweetheart’s precious mother; a beloved cousin; a compassionate former colleague; and, a man whose contagious smile I first remember when we were both kids and our families attended the same church. As well, one friend’s adult step-daughter and another friend’s father died during this time. I wish I could hug all of the people grieving their losses. I bow to their beautiful spirits of Fran, Connie, Estelle, Danny, […]

Adult Sibling Loss: Interview with Dr. Brenda Marshall

Posted on July 22, 2014 - by admin

At the annual ADEC (Association of Death Education and Counseling), I spoke with Dr. Brenda Marshall about adult sibling loss. Brenda got into this field when her younger brother Brent died eight years ago. It was then that she realized there’s not very much support for siblings. That realization called on her to ask the question “Why?” and “What can I do about it?” I asked Brenda why she thinks people don’t understand how significant a sibling loss is. Hear Brenda’s response in the video below. Here are some key takeaways from the video: For one thing, a lot of […]