VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Grief Companioning relies on compassionate people serving behind the scenes to help create safe, steady support for those navigating loss. Volunteers play a vital role in sustaining this gentle model of peer support through coordination, encouragement, resource preparation, and thoughtful care that allows companions to show up well for grievers.
By giving your time in this way, you help ensure that no one is left without a place to process grief when support from family and friends begins to wane. If you feel called to support this work behind the scenes, we invite you to fill out the form below to apply and take the next step in serving those walking through grief.
The unexpected death of a loved one changes everything. In the early weeks following a death, family members experience shock, anguish and a cascade of emotions as they face the tragedy of their loved one’s death. In the immediate aftermath of loss, there is also an overwhelming number of professionals who require information only the family can provide Funeral planning and handling the affairs of a loved one, can feel overwhelming in the midst of grief.
In Snohomish County, there is help for families who have experienced such a loss. The Grief Companioning Project provides support in the time of need. Specially trained volunteers provide compassionate understanding and helpful information to individuals and families in the early stages of traumatic grief.
Companioning is a gentle form of peer support. Volunteers provide a safe space for processing the complexities of grief. The Companioning process fills in some of the natural gaps when support from family and friends begins to wane. As the shock of the death begins to lessen, loved ones are often left with a wide range of emotions, including guilt, loneliness, and anger. Having a safe place to talk about emotions can be very helpful and can lessen the heavy weight of grief. Companions provide time and space for grievers to process their grief and they also encourage people to attend grief support groups, as they become available.
The Companioning Project provides Grief Support Groups twice a year. The groups are held in the spring and in the fall. These groups are 8 weeks long and are specifically for the grief that follows a sudden, traumatic loss. Each round of groups includes an in-person option in addition to a virtual group.
The Grief Companioning Project also provides annual training to First Responders, mental health practitioners, and to members of the community who are interested in learning more about sudden, traumatic grief. The next 2023 training, “Understanding Sudden Traumatic Grief” will be held in Lynnwood on Friday, November 3. You will find more information at our website at GriefCompanioning.com, and we can be reached at info@GriefCompanioning.com or 425-275-6605 for inquiries.
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