Professional Documents
Culture Documents
GRIEF ACTIVITIES
RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND GROUPS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME AND GROUP NAME
NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR A GRIEF GROUP
ROLE OF GROUP FACILITATOR
SETTING UP THE GROUP
SCREENING STUDENTS
GROUP STRUCTURE/AGENDA
CURRICULUM
SECTION I: TEEN ACTIVITIES
INTRODUCTION
This curriculum is presented as a work manual for the counselors facilitating grief groups
and members. This manual assists grief groups with structured didactic activities to
choose from.
It is a compilation of activities and handouts that are meant to be used, copied, added to,
or discarded according to preferences.
Most simply it is a sample grief group program with suggestions for organization of each
group meeting. There are introductory sections on setting up and running a group
followed by the eight-week curriculum completed by the appendices of activities and
handouts.
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group! We come together to name our group and to make our PLACE and
have the opportunity to share within this group which includes being open with one
another. What we wish to achieve is HOPE . Through expressing our feelings, hopes,
and dreams, we may allow ourselves to know and be known by others. Friendship and
self-awareness are our rewards. We will respect the privacy of members by keeping
group discussions within our group. What we see, say, and hear let it stay in this
special Place. There are only a few rules for our group: *no side conversations and *we
SCREENING
This serves at least two important purposes:
1. It educates about the group rules and purposes.
2. Building the relationship and the strength of the group.
Ask members to fill out the Grief Group questionnaire or similar instrument.
GROUP STRUCTURE/AGENDA
An agenda with activities is helpful but the best groups are often those where,
when we are following what is going on for the group, we forget about the agenda.
Each group in this curriculum will have the following components:
1. A theme with tools to be learned.
2. An opening ritual. This may be only your way of starting the group, which becomes
expected and therefore ritual. (Our Circle Introduction and Candle Lighting)
3. One or more activities.
4. Handouts.
5. Closing ritual. (Blowing Out The Candle)
One:
Theme(s): Ice-breaking, introductions, group norm building.
Opening: Brief intros, develop rules, invitation to share.
Activity1: Move; Talking stick.
Activity2: What got me here; Question basket.
Handout: Normal Grieving, Physical Effects.
Closing: Re-invite sharing, review handout, ask about what helps (see introduction).
Two:
Theme(s): Getting to know each other, memory building.
Opening: Review what helps from last week, Invitation to share, memory mural.
Activity: Choose from My Story, What do You Need? &/or Question Basket.
Handout: Bill of Rights for Teens Experiencing Grief, Common Myths About Grief.
Closing: Review handouts, remind to bring sharing, what are you going to do to take
care of you?
Three:
Theme: Family and other changes since the death.
Opening: Review what you did to help, Memory Mural, and Invitation to share.
Activity: Choose from What do you need (if not done last week)? Timeline, Writing
letters to Parents, What has changed in your life, Rough Mountain Smooth Mountain.
Handout: Conquering Depression.
Closing: As above.
Four:
Theme: Follow-up on Family changes, Feelings.
Opening: Review homework, memory mural.
Activity: Choose from Four Feelings, Anger Circle, I miss you most &/or Collage.
Handout: Words of Feelings.
Closing: As above.
Five:
Theme: This is a transitional group: either continue with last week (Feelings) or begin
Coping.
Opening: As above.
Activity: Continue with feeling activities &/or Faces, Garbage in Garbage out, Light
Hearted Personality Profile, Unpack grief Bundle.
Handout: How to help grieving people.
Closing: as above, remind how many meetings left.
Six:
Theme: Tools.
Opening: As above; remind number of weeks left.
Activity: Choose from Question Basket, Shield, Dear Aunt Blabby, &/or Future Fears.
Handout: Strategies for Coping, Good-bye Letter (from Activity List).
Closing: as above.
Seven:
Theme: Good-byes.
Opening: As above.
Activity: Forgiveness Circle, Memorial Activity.
Handout: Establishing realistic expectations for your grief.
Closing: Discuss favorite snack (if doing this).
Eight:
Theme: Good-byes.
Opening: As above, review.
Activity: Memorial Activity, Favorite snack, Momentos to share.
Handout: Memory books.
Closing: Rose Petals.
CHAIN OF EVENTS
Teen Talk, Good Samaritan Hospice Taken from Bereavement Magazine, Nov/Dec, 1994
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JOURNALING
How To Start
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CHANGE IS NATURAL
Change is natural and occurs throughout our lives. Can you think of any changes that
have happened in your life? You can draw or color some of these changes below or on a
separate sheet of paper. Creating a project may also be useful to explain how change
appears to you.
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EGG
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CATERPILLAR
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COCOON
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BUTTERFLY
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FEELINGS
We all have different feelings and it this is OK. Feelings changeCan you draw
some different faces that show some of your feelings?
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FUNERALS
A funeral service is when friends and family get together to honor a loved one
who has passed away or died. This is only one of the many things that we can do to say
goodbye. Funerals help us to understand that a person has died and that we will be going
through some changes because of the emotions of loss that we feel. It can be very hard to
say goodbye to someone you love. Sometimes it helps to think of funerals as a
celebration of your loved ones life and to think of all the good things about the person
who died. This doesnt make it easier and it is ok to feel the way you feel.
Can you draw or write something about the good things?
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It is important for all participants to listen to each others response. We are all essential
pieces of this group and let us keep in mind that each of us is unique and a vital element
of our puzzle.
*Cut out each question, put in a container and let each member choose a piece of the puzzle*
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Each person completes the Highest Hopes, Deepest Fears worksheet/ activity
independently.
After each member finishes the worksheet/activity, members are paired up. While
members are paired they explain their worksheet to their partner. The group then comes
together. The group members share their partners worksheet and responses to the rest of
our group. Positive feedback is then given to each participant.
*It is important to explain what the definition of positive feedback means and to discuss
examples.
*Let us encourage partners and group members to question and explore one anothers responses.
*Comment on shared responses.
*Comment on the understandings of members views or perspectives. (What it means to put our
self in another persons shoes)
This exercise may build a sense of belonging to the group, especially when personal information
is shared with other members.
This exercise also helps members practice empathic skills while sharing their partners responses
to the worksheet.
HIGHEST
HO PES
(4)
DEEPEST
FEARS
(4)
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LOSS
Objective:
1. Identify personal losses and share them with the group.
2. Gain an understanding of the grieving process.
3. Discuss the progressions of the loss cycle and identify the stage they believe they
are in now.
4. Reframe loss experiences, comprehend, and normalize reactions to loss.
5. Begin or continue to process personal losses.
6. Identify factors that may be contributing to feelings of depression.
Materials:
1. White board or poster board with a marker.
2. A copy of this hand out.
Each member of our group will get a chance to share about if and when they may have
experienced a loss and felt sad. Members responses will be written down as they share,
somewhere they can view them.
Some examples include:
A loved one died.
A friend moved away.
Divorce.
A love relationship ended.
Conflict between a friend or loved one.
Pet died.
A brother or sister left home.
Any type of move.
A car wreck.
Loss of a job.
Girlfriend or boyfriend cheated.
Loss due to injury.
These are examples of losses. Sometimes depression may be the result of some losses.
Think about the losses in your life. These losses may be old and resolved or new and
unexplored. Sometimes losses come to mind during significant periods of our lives such
as birthdays, holidays, or special occasions.
Now, could we share some of our losses with one another? (Could a group member write
the responses where we can all see them?)
After responses are written lets look at the cycle of loss on the following page and
discuss some questions (you can write your responses down if you like)
1. What would you guess is the most usual response or the first feeling you have to a
loss?
Answer:
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2. Did any of you react to your loss, as if you just couldnt believe it?
Answer:
3. Can you think of a time when you thought about bartering in reaction to your
loss? (Example: Wait! What if I could have somehow stopped a loved one from
dying?)
Answer:
4. What reaction might follow a period of bartering?
Answer:
5. Who would you be angry with? (Example: God, self, others)
Answer:
6. Does anyone want to share anything about the loss cycle or where you think you
are in the cycle?
Answer:
It is important to know that people do not just click through the loss cycle without
glitches. We usually do not just move from stage 1 to stage 2 to stage 3 etc. We tend to
bounce around a bit. For example, it is not unusual to be on the up side of the cycle (the
acceptance stage) when denial is reactivated (this cant be true!).
If you chose to share, thank you! If not, thats O.K. too! Sometimes it helps people to
begin to heal by talking about their losses as well as listening to others share their stories
or experiences of losses.
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Memory Box
A memory box is a great way to remember thoughts, feelings, and special
memories about the person you have lost. This is your special box for holding memories.
The items that you choose to put in this box are up to you. Looking through your memory
box can help you feel close to your loved one once again.
You can make it out of any type of container that you choose. Once you have a box,
you can decorate it how you like. Here are a few ideas:
Write the persons name on it or include the persons name inside the box.
Use glitter glue, markers, crayons, or colored pencils to draw things that may
remind of your loved one.
Use stickers.
After you decorate your box you can put items and little drawings or notes in Your
Special Memory Box.
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PEOPLE CHANGE
People change over time and this is a natural occurrence. Imagine how life would be if
we did not changeCan you try to draw a picture of yourself and other things that you
would like as a BABY, as you are NOW, and as A LOT OLDER?
BABY
NOW
A LOT OLDER
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