Ways to mourn

Grieving is a natural and necessary process when experiencing loss, and the Ways to Mourn tool provides practical, compassionate strategies to help navigate it. The Ways to Mourn tool honors experiences while building life-long coping skills.

How to use the tool

• Normalize Grief and Mourning
  • Explain: Share that grieving is a personal and natural process. Emphasize that mourning allows us to process emotions and find ways to honor what was lost.
  • Prompt: Ask:
    • “What does mourning mean to you?”
    • “Why is it important to make space for our feelings after a loss?”
• Explore Mourning Activities
  • Activity: Present the Ways to Mourn poster and review the suggested actions, such as:
    • Writing a letter or talking to someone you’ve lost.
    • Making a playlist or creating art to express emotions.
    • Starting a tradition or ritual to celebrate their memory.
  • Discussion: Reflect on which activity resonates with them most and why.
• Guide Students in Expressing Emotions
  • Activity: Facilitate a journaling session using prompts like:
    • “What are some of your favorite memories with the person or thing you lost?”
    • “How can you honor their impact on your life?”
  • Group Sharing: For those comfortable, create a safe space to share stories, pictures, or special items related to their loss.
• Encourage Connection with Others
  • Activity: Identify supportive people in their lives they can talk to about their grief, such as trusted friends, family members, or counselors.
  • Prompt: Ask:
    • “Who can you reach out to when you’re feeling overwhelmed?”
    • “How does connecting with others help during difficult times?”
• Create Traditions to Honor the Lost
  • Activity: Brainstorm meaningful ways to honor their loss, such as:
    • Lighting a candle on special days.
    • Planting a tree or creating a memory box.
  • Prompt: Ask:
    • “What tradition would feel meaningful to you?”
    • “How can this tradition help you feel connected to your loved one or experience?”

Benefits of using the tool

• Develop emotional awareness: Understanding feelings fosters self-compassion and acceptance.
• Build resilience: Healthy mourning practices provide tools for coping with future challenges.
• Enhance communication skills: Sharing grief with others strengthens empathy and connection.
• Honor memories: Engaging in meaningful rituals creates a sense of purpose and closure.

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