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Grief in the classroom and the Coalition to Support Grieving Students
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We all have experiences of loss and subsequent grief – even the youngest among us. While many of us collect tools and strategies for dealing with hardships as we age, the death of a friend, family member, teacher, or even pet can be extremely overwhelming for a child or young adult who has yet to experience a tragedy. The comfort of loved ones is essential for young people during times of loss, but what happens when a child returns to school?
Educators have been taught how to nurture the minds of their students, but the vast majority of them have never learned how to support a student experiencing grief – unfortunate, considering that in a school containing hundreds of students, at least a handful will be struggling emotionally at any given time.
Effective grief support often requires more than common sense or empathy – it requires training, tools, and advice from bereavement experts. How should a death be announced to a student’s classmates? How can a teacher tell when a child is grieving? What should a teacher say to a grieving student, and what type of guidance will be most helpful? How should slipping grades and other reactions be addressed?
The Coalition to Support Grieving Students has set out to answer these and other questions with a selection of free modules aimed at teaching educators why bereavement support in the classroom is necessary and how it should be handled. Modules are organized by topic area :
- Conversation and Support – how to talk to a grieving child and what not to say
- Developmental and Cultural Considerations – how to help a child understand what death is and be sensitive to the unique cultural practices of a child’s family
- Practical Considerations – how to develop policies for funeral attendance and help children grieving secondary losses (lifestyle and relational losses as the result of a death) and cumulative losses (the loss of several peers or family members over time)
- Reactions and Triggers – how grief may present academic challenges and other grief reactions and triggers
- Professional Preparation and Self-Care – why educators should be trained in these areas
- Crisis and Special Circumstances – how to react to the death of a staff member or classmate, suicide, and students with very serious illnesses
The Coalition was formed just two years ago after research showed that American educators were highly interested in helping their students during difficult times, but they lacked the resources and tools necessary to provide support. According to the Coalition:
“Schools are an ideal site at which to deliver care to grieving children: they are a safe and known setting for students, with a variety of trained staff available to address issues of grieving and death. The response of teachers and classmates to a student’s grief can either serve as an important source of support and stability during a difficult time, or as an additional hurdle to surmount.”
Because children may spend as much time with teachers and classmates during the week as they do with their own families, the resources provided by the Coalition are indispensable. To learn more, visit the Coalition to Support Grieving Students.
A funeral is a deeply personal and emotional event, a time to honor and celebrate a loved one’s life. While traditional ceremonies often provide comfort, adding personal touches can create a unique and meaningful experience that reflects the individuality of the person being remembered. In this blog, we’ll explore ways to personalize a funeral service, ensuring it feels like a true celebration of life while providing solace to friends and family. 1. Incorporate Personal Stories and Memories One of the simplest yet most meaningful ways to personalize a funeral service is by sharing stories and memories. Invite family members, friends, and colleagues to speak about the deceased. These anecdotes not only highlight their personality, values, and life experiences but also provide comfort to those attending, reminding everyone of the positive impact the person had on others. Consider creating a memory jar or book where guests can write down their favorite memories or messages. These can be kept as a lasting tribute for the family. 2. Create a Visual Tribute Photos and videos are powerful reminders of a person’s journey through life. A slideshow or video montage can be played during the service, featuring moments from childhood, family gatherings, significant achievements, and cherished adventures. Music that was meaningful to the person can play in the background to evoke deeper emotional connections. You could also set up photo displays or memory boards throughout the venue, allowing guests to view and reflect on different aspects of the deceased’s life. 3. Curate a Personalized Playlist Music plays a significant role in setting the tone for a funeral service. Instead of sticking to traditional hymns or classical pieces, create a playlist that reflects the musical tastes and favorite songs of your loved one. Whether it’s a favorite genre, an artist they loved, or songs that marked key moments in their life, these selections can add a deeply personal layer to the ceremony. 4. Display Personal Mementos Displaying personal items that were important to your loved one is a great way to add a personal touch to the service. These could include: Hobbies and interests: Display items related to their hobbies, such as sports memorabilia, instruments, books, or art supplies. Clothing or accessories: A favorite jacket, hat, or scarf can be displayed or even worn by close family members as a tribute. Awards and achievements: If they were passionate about their career, community work, or a special cause, displaying awards or recognitions can highlight their accomplishments and the impact they had on others. 5. Encourage Participation Encouraging guests to participate in the service can make the experience more interactive and heartfelt. Invite attendees to contribute readings, poems, or songs that remind them of the deceased. This collaborative approach brings together diverse perspectives and personal connections, creating a sense of unity in honoring the individual. 6. Virtual Memorial for Distant Guests In today’s digital age, a virtual memorial allows people who are unable to attend in person to be part of the service. You can live-stream the funeral or hold a separate online gathering where friends and family can share memories and pay their respects from afar. This ensures that everyone who cared for the deceased can participate, regardless of location. Personalizing a funeral service is about honoring the unique qualities of the person who has passed and creating a meaningful, reflective space for friends and family to grieve, celebrate, and remember. Whether through music, mementos, or shared stories, these special touches can transform a standard service into a lasting tribute that reflects the spirit of the loved one. By focusing on what made your loved one truly special, you can create a service that not only commemorates their life but also brings comfort to those who are grieving, allowing everyone to come together in a meaningful celebration of life.
Grief in the Classroom: How Educators Can Support Grieving Students Grief is a complex and deeply personal experience that can affect anyone, including students. When a student is grieving, the impact can be far-reaching, influencing not only their emotional well-being but also their academic performance, social interactions, and overall sense of security. As educators, it is crucial to recognize the signs of grief and to provide a supportive environment where students can navigate their emotions in a healthy way. Understanding Grief in Students Grief can stem from various sources—loss of a family member, friend, pet, or even the upheaval of a major life change like divorce or relocation. Each student will process grief differently based on their age, personality, and the nature of the loss. Common emotional reactions include sadness, anger, confusion, anxiety, and even guilt. Physically, students might experience fatigue, headaches, or changes in appetite. Academically, grief can lead to difficulty concentrating, a decline in grades, or a lack of interest in school activities. Grieving students might also exhibit behavioral changes such as withdrawal from social interactions, irritability, or increased dependency on adults. Understanding these varied responses is the first step in providing the appropriate support. Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment Foster Open Communication Encourage students to express their feelings by creating a safe, non-judgmental environment. Let them know it's okay to feel sad or confused and that they can talk to you or another trusted adult whenever they need to. Use age-appropriate language to discuss grief and loss openly, which can help normalize these experiences. Offer Flexibility Grieving students may need time to process their emotions, which can make it challenging to meet deadlines or stay focused on assignments. Provide flexibility with homework, tests, and participation. Offer extensions or alternative assignments that are less demanding. This flexibility can ease the pressure on the student while allowing them to stay engaged in their education at their own pace. Incorporate Grief Resources Introduce grief-related books, activities, or discussions in the classroom that are appropriate for the age group. This can help students who are grieving feel understood and supported. It can also educate their peers about empathy and the impact of loss, fostering a more compassionate classroom community. Be Mindful of Triggers Certain activities, holidays, or topics may act as triggers for grieving students. Be sensitive to these potential triggers and offer alternatives or modifications when necessary. For example, if a class project involves creating a family tree, provide an option that allows the student to participate without causing distress. Encourage Peer Support Encourage students to support their grieving peers in positive ways. This could involve creating a buddy system, where a classmate checks in with the grieving student, or facilitating group activities that promote teamwork and empathy. Peer support can be incredibly powerful in helping students feel less alone in their grief. Maintain Routine with Compassion While it's important to be flexible, maintaining a routine can provide grieving students with a sense of normalcy and stability during a turbulent time. However, this should be balanced with compassion—understanding that the student may need to step away or take breaks when emotions become overwhelming. Grief is a challenging journey for anyone, but it can be particularly difficult for students who are still developing emotionally and cognitively. As educators, you play a pivotal role in supporting grieving students by creating a compassionate and flexible environment that acknowledges their pain while encouraging their continued growth. By fostering open communication, offering flexibility, and collaborating with school counselors, you can help grieving students navigate their emotions and find a sense of normalcy in the classroom. Your support can make a significant difference in their ability to cope with loss and continue their educational journey.
Traveling can provide an insightful perspective into your life, but when you're grieving, that perspective often widens into something much more.
The subjects of loss and grief are worthy of deep discussion. As thinking, feeling beings, we’re aware of the inevitability of losing something or somebody we love. But internalizing that knowledge and really accepting that grief will be a part of our lives is a challenge. Thinking about the end of our own lives is an even greater challenge. Rather than write about these subjects this week, we’d like to share with you some TED Talk videos that have inspired us to think about death and loss in new ways and begin to understand the necessity of grieving. We hope you find inspiration here, too. Peter Saul - Let’s talk about dying Saul makes a fantastic case for thinking about, discussing, and taking ownership of the end of your life. As an intensive-care doctor who has witnessed the last moments of hundreds of patients, his message urges us to “occupy death,” and make the tough decisions about where and how we want to die. Dr. Geoff Warburton - The Adventure of grief Warburton, a psychologist and author, speaks to the idea that feelings of grief can be embraced as part of the adventure of living. He insists that our deepest, darkest emotions must be felt deeply in order to access the full range of emotions that make life worth living. Amanda Bennett - We need a heroic narrative for death By recounting the story of her husband’s death, Bennett explains how humans can reach a point of unwavering hope – which can also be considered denial – when a loved one is ill. Because death is so often seen as defeat, she makes a case for lifting up death as heroic and reflective of the glory and beauty of life. Alison Killing - There’s a better way to die, and architecture can help “Where we die is a key part of how we die.” Alison Killing approaches the subject of death from a unique perspective, examining the locations and buildings that play a part in how we experience the end of our lives. Kelli Swazey - Life that doesn’t end with death Anthropologist Swazey speaks about the culture of Tana Toraja, where the death of a loved one is a social experience involving celebration and rituals that develop over time. Under such circumstances, death becomes a part of the human story, and it can be considered beautiful.
