Grief and Bereavement (BREV 1110)

This course is intended for end-of-life doulas and other professionals in the palliative care team. The goal is to provide learners with an understanding of how to support clients who are experiencing grief. It will also invite participants to explore their own relationship to loss. Participants will explore the complexity of grief and be given tools for exploring and responding to grief. 

Over three days, a facilitator will guide participants through three learning modules including:

1. Reflecting on grief and bereavement
2. Grief in the 21st century
3. Self-compassion and grief work

There are no formal prerequisites for this course, but completion of English 12 with a minimum grade of “C” or proof of equivalent as outlined in detail on the English Proficiency page is assumed.

Students who register are understood to be confirming successful completion of this expectation.

Although not required, students are highly recommended to take BREV 1100 prior to taking this course.

Topics covered include: 

• Grief and bereavement theories
• Types of grief
• Grieving in the 21^st century
• Companioning through grief 
• Cultural considerations in grief and bereavement
• Supporting the unhoused in grief and bereavement
• Medical assistance in dying and grief
• Gender and identity and grief  
• Dementia and grief 
• Tools for self-care 
• Creating a community of practice
• Grief supports and community resources 

Required textbook:

Understanding Your Grief (2021) - Dr. Alan Wolfelt

Optional textbook: 

The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief - Francis Weller

This is traditionally a classroom-based course, however we currently offer both in person and online offerings. Students are expected to participate in class discussions.

For online offerings, you will need a computer that is connected to the internet to access the Blackboard and Zoom. We recommend using either Chrome or Firefox as your browser. As your course includes live sessions, you will also need to enable your computer's audio and microphone to participate.

Additional dates to be added. 

To register, please call the CE Registration Office at (604) 527-5472 and provide the CRN for the offering you would like to join. 

Please email cehs@douglascollege.ca to be notified when additional dates have been added.