Leader Training
Accompanying Those Who Mourn is a free, self-paced course for leaders interested in beginning or improving a parish bereavement ministry. It’s also helpful to anyone interested in examining grief and how to companion someone in her/his sorrow.
Grief Pamphlets Series - Customizable for your Parish
- How Will I Know (PDF)
- Physical Symptoms (PDF)
- Return to Normal (PDF)
- Working with Grief (PDF)
- You and Emotions (PDF)
- Grief in Children - Part 1 (PDF)
- Grief in Children - Part 2 (PDF)
Novena for the Deceased
Praying the rosary for nine days for the eternal rest of the deceased is a common practice in many cultures. A powerful way to remember the deceased and to accompany the closest family members, the novena typically begins the day after the death. The novena is led by a close friend or a family member often in the home of the bereaved. After the rosary, people stay to share a meal and tell stories about the deceased. This practice over nine days provides comfort to the family and is a communal expression of love and care.