The Bereavement Journey

Loss needs to be processed for our physical and mental health and wellbeing. Unresolved grief can also affect our attitudes, relationships and attainment.

The Bereavement Journey® is a 7 Session programme which assists bereaved people to process their loss.  Participants do their own grief work. Each Session comprises two films followed by discussion in a small group, facilitated by volunteers, and with a break for refreshment.

Attendance is recommended for all the Sessions.  It is most beneficial to attend at least a few weeks after the death - ideally after the funeral, but this is not essential and The Bereavement Journey can benefit those in anticipatory grief, also pregnancy loss.

Topics include:

  • Attachment, separation and loss

  • The pain and responses of grief

  • Anger and guilt

  • Coping with others’ reactions

  • Delayed and suppressed grief

  • Adjusting to change

  • Moving forward healthily

Faith is reserved for the final, 7th session on Faith Questions in Bereavement, which is optional, making the course suitable for anyone of any faith or none.

The Bereavement Journey starts on Thursday 27th February and runs for 7 weeks until Thursday 10th April. It will be held at 23 Lansdowne Road. KT19 9QJ from 19:30 - 21:30.

The cost will be £20 for the course. Please let us know if the cost of the course is prohibitive for you - we wouldn't want the cost to stop you participating. Please email lorna.owen@epsomvineyard.org

Other Support

If you are looking for other forms of bereavement support and practical information, please search the bereavement signposting website AtaLoss.org.

Supporting people who have been bereaved

If you know someone who has been bereaved and would like to learn how to support them better, we recommend Bereavement Care Awareness training run by Care for the Family.

You’ll come away with:

  • A better knowledge of how bereavement affects people in different ways.

  • An understanding of the grieving process.

  • Ideas for the practical and emotional support you can offer someone in the weeks and months after the funeral.

  • Practical skills to carry out supportive listening, a key tool in bereavement support.

  • Advice and tips on ways your church can support bereaved people in your community.

You can book an online course here: Bereavement Care Awareness

If you are a member of Epsom Vineyard, we may be able to support you with the costs of this training. Email lorna.owen@epsomvineyard.org for more information.