Bereavement Professional

Hello All,

I apologize if there is already a discussion thread on this topic.  We are exploring the option of having grief volunteers serve in a role of a grief companion and wondered if anyone uses trained grief volunteers in this capacity?  We currently have trained grief volunteers who were making some initial phone calls.  We would like to expand our grief support to include trained volunteers for caregivers who would may benefit from a step-down from grief counseling or people who may not need grief counseling, but would benefit volunteer visits to support them for a period of time through their loss.  Specifically looking for any guidelines on how long they meet for, how often, any considerations for how they are assigned a grief volunteer, and what training they receive.  Thanks in advance!

Hello Nathan,

In early 2023 we saw the need for a grief companion and created a "Grief Buddy Program" training based on Alan Wolfelt PhD Companioning series. The program was originally created for a bereaved spouse living in an ALF whose adult children felt she was lonely. Unfortunately, that person took a turn for the worse and moved into a memory impaired unit. We trained 2 Bereavement Volunteers to be Grief Buddies. They happened to be late 70 somethings and widowed for 10+ years.  The program is designed to have the Grief Buddy spend 1-1.5 hrs. a week for a period of 6-weeks as a "Grief Buddy sharing time, coffee, tea, etc. with the bereaved on their grief journey. We chose 6-weeks because that is the typical length of a support group. The Grief Buddy is a safe, comforting person and presence the bereaved can talk to in the comfort of their own home/environment.  This is designed for shut-ins unable to attend support groups.  It wasn't until Feb. 2024 when the need arose, this time a residential setting. We created an Info Sheet, so our Grief Buddy was well informed about their buddy.  Our Grief Buddy spent each of those 6-weeks from March to April having a cup of tea with her buddy. Reading her reports it was a perfect fit!  We created a template to document the visits including brief comments of the time spent with her buddy in the Bereavement Plan of Care. Our Grief Buddy Volunteer not only survived, but she also thrived from the experience!   Interestingly enough, Alan Wolfelt just released a new book called "Stay for the cup of coffee". 

I look forward to assigning another Grief Buddy when the need arises in the future. I hope this was helpful.

Debbie

Hello All,

I apologize if there is already a discussion thread on this topic.  We are exploring the option of having grief volunteers serve in a role of a grief companion and wondered if anyone uses trained grief volunteers in this capacity?  We currently have trained grief volunteers who were making some initial phone calls.  We would like to expand our grief support to include trained volunteers for caregivers who would may benefit from a step-down from grief counseling or people who may not need grief counseling, but would benefit volunteer visits to support them for a period of time through their loss.  Specifically looking for any guidelines on how long they meet for, how often, any considerations for how they are assigned a grief volunteer, and what training they receive.  Thanks in advance!

Hello Nathan,

In early 2023 we saw the need for a grief companion and created a "Grief Buddy Program" training based on Alan Wolfelt PhD Companioning series. The program was originally created for a bereaved spouse living in an ALF whose adult children felt she was lonely. Unfortunately, that person took a turn for the worse and moved into a memory impaired unit. We trained 2 Bereavement Volunteers to be Grief Buddies. They happened to be late 70 somethings and widowed for 10+ years.  The program is designed to have the Grief Buddy spend 1-1.5 hrs. a week for a period of 6-weeks as a "Grief Buddy sharing time, coffee, tea, etc. with the bereaved on their grief journey. We chose 6-weeks because that is the typical length of a support group. The Grief Buddy is a safe, comforting person and presence the bereaved can talk to in the comfort of their own home/environment.  This is designed for shut-ins unable to attend support groups.  It wasn't until Feb. 2024 when the need arose, this time a residential setting. We created an Info Sheet, so our Grief Buddy was well informed about their buddy.  Our Grief Buddy spent each of those 6-weeks from March to April having a cup of tea with her buddy. Reading her reports it was a perfect fit!  We created a template to document the visits including brief comments of the time spent with her buddy in the Bereavement Plan of Care. Our Grief Buddy Volunteer not only survived, but she also thrived from the experience!   Interestingly enough, Alan Wolfelt just released a new book called "Stay for the cup of coffee". 

I look forward to assigning another Grief Buddy when the need arises in the future. I hope this was helpful.

Debbie

Hello All,

I apologize if there is already a discussion thread on this topic.  We are exploring the option of having grief volunteers serve in a role of a grief companion and wondered if anyone uses trained grief volunteers in this capacity?  We currently have trained grief volunteers who were making some initial phone calls.  We would like to expand our grief support to include trained volunteers for caregivers who would may benefit from a step-down from grief counseling or people who may not need grief counseling, but would benefit volunteer visits to support them for a period of time through their loss.  Specifically looking for any guidelines on how long they meet for, how often, any considerations for how they are assigned a grief volunteer, and what training they receive.  Thanks in advance!

That's a great question, Veronica.

The Grief Buddy Program is an "extra" to the already "in process" Bereavement Plan of Care that is offered for 13 months.  It also is a temporary resource for the Adult children of the living bereaved parent as they too are grieving the parent that died. It gives them a little peace of mind that their parent is being tended to. The 6-week program is clearly stated at intake and throughout the process, so the adult child and Buddy recipient knows there is an end.   It is also helpful when telephone calls are inappropriate due to language, hearing, or other communication hurdles. The in person/ face-to-face interaction benefits both the bereaved and the Volunteer.  Certainly, if there is a higher need, as the Bereavement Coordinator I will provide a list of local Community Therapists that they can contact.  We do not have the resources for extended counseling as I am the one stop shop for our Bereavement Dept.  Hope this helps.

Hello Nathan,

In early 2023 we saw the need for a grief companion and created a "Grief Buddy Program" training based on Alan Wolfelt PhD Companioning series. The program was originally created for a bereaved spouse living in an ALF whose adult children felt she was lonely. Unfortunately, that person took a turn for the worse and moved into a memory impaired unit. We trained 2 Bereavement Volunteers to be Grief Buddies. They happened to be late 70 somethings and widowed for 10+ years.  The program is designed to have the Grief Buddy spend 1-1.5 hrs. a week for a period of 6-weeks as a "Grief Buddy sharing time, coffee, tea, etc. with the bereaved on their grief journey. We chose 6-weeks because that is the typical length of a support group. The Grief Buddy is a safe, comforting person and presence the bereaved can talk to in the comfort of their own home/environment.  This is designed for shut-ins unable to attend support groups.  It wasn't until Feb. 2024 when the need arose, this time a residential setting. We created an Info Sheet, so our Grief Buddy was well informed about their buddy.  Our Grief Buddy spent each of those 6-weeks from March to April having a cup of tea with her buddy. Reading her reports it was a perfect fit!  We created a template to document the visits including brief comments of the time spent with her buddy in the Bereavement Plan of Care. Our Grief Buddy Volunteer not only survived, but she also thrived from the experience!   Interestingly enough, Alan Wolfelt just released a new book called "Stay for the cup of coffee". 

I look forward to assigning another Grief Buddy when the need arises in the future. I hope this was helpful.

Debbie

Hello All,

I apologize if there is already a discussion thread on this topic.  We are exploring the option of having grief volunteers serve in a role of a grief companion and wondered if anyone uses trained grief volunteers in this capacity?  We currently have trained grief volunteers who were making some initial phone calls.  We would like to expand our grief support to include trained volunteers for caregivers who would may benefit from a step-down from grief counseling or people who may not need grief counseling, but would benefit volunteer visits to support them for a period of time through their loss.  Specifically looking for any guidelines on how long they meet for, how often, any considerations for how they are assigned a grief volunteer, and what training they receive.  Thanks in advance!

Hello All,

I apologize if there is already a discussion thread on this topic.  We are exploring the option of having grief volunteers serve in a role of a grief companion and wondered if anyone uses trained grief volunteers in this capacity?  We currently have trained grief volunteers who were making some initial phone calls.  We would like to expand our grief support to include trained volunteers for caregivers who would may benefit from a step-down from grief counseling or people who may not need grief counseling, but would benefit volunteer visits to support them for a period of time through their loss.  Specifically looking for any guidelines on how long they meet for, how often, any considerations for how they are assigned a grief volunteer, and what training they receive.  Thanks in advance!

Hi there, this is something we've really built up in the last year. I work pretty hand in hand w/ our volunteer coordinator.

For those who express an interest in bereavement at time of orientation, I join them in a special, secondary training specifically about leading groups, being a social companion, and hosting grief-informed social events. These volunteers have to also shadow three bereavement events before launching.

I have used these volunteers in a few ways:

1.) Social visits -- after 13 months, there are often people who are stable in their grief, but could benefit from social companionship. I use volunteers in that capacity.

2.) Special events -- we had a volunteer with a work background in therapeutic outdoor retreats who led a nature walk for grievers for us through a state park last fall.

3.) New peer groups -- I have two men (widowers) who used to use services who have launched our Men's Coffee Group -- a social group for and by widowers that focuses on male connection and companionship.

4.) Fill-ins for support groups (I can be out of town or on vacation, and have volunteers who can serve as back-ups!)

5.) Support staff at my bereavement events (memorial, workshops). 

Sounds like #1 was of most interest--these individuals typically meet weekly or biweekly. I let them decide with one another, and I let them know that they will also be meeting for 13 months. We learn from research that people often feel their grief with an acuity in that second year (people tend to recede, support changes, you're expected to be 'over it' socially) so I see this volunteer opportunity as an opportunity to truly meet people through the arc of the grieving process.

Hello All,

I apologize if there is already a discussion thread on this topic.  We are exploring the option of having grief volunteers serve in a role of a grief companion and wondered if anyone uses trained grief volunteers in this capacity?  We currently have trained grief volunteers who were making some initial phone calls.  We would like to expand our grief support to include trained volunteers for caregivers who would may benefit from a step-down from grief counseling or people who may not need grief counseling, but would benefit volunteer visits to support them for a period of time through their loss.  Specifically looking for any guidelines on how long they meet for, how often, any considerations for how they are assigned a grief volunteer, and what training they receive.  Thanks in advance!