Sharing Hope Bereavement Series 2024

If you have read my blog, heard me speak publicly on death loss, or are an acquaintance or friend, you know my often-repeated cry is that we are a death-phobic, grief illiterate culture and in order to grieve well or help others face a death-loss, we must increase our grief literacy. To this end Miles Funeral Home offers quarterly seminars that support the bereaved and educate grievers, the general public and grief professionals in death loss, grief work and mourning rituals. The seminar series is called Sharing Hope and each seminar includes an educational presentation, refreshments with the chance to connect with other grievers, and a free book for each participant. All seminars are held on Saturdays at the Holden Senior Center 1-2:30 p.m. So we can plan for adequate refreshments and free books, pre-registration is required.

Sharing Hope Bereavement Series 2024 



The Five Gates of Grief: March 23, 2024

“Grief and love are sisters, woven together from the beginning. Their kinship reminds us that there is no love that does not contain loss and no loss that is not a reminder of the love we carry for what we once held close.” (Francis Weller)  In his book The Wild Edge of Sorrow, Francis Weller offers the five gates of grief as a way to recognize and understand loss. Pam will explore Weller’s five gates of grief as an effective starting place when navigating the challenges and opportunities of grief. (Use the link below to register for this seminar)

Family Loss: Parent, Child, Sibling, Aunt/Uncle, Grandparent, In-Law: May 18, 2024

“We’ve shared our lives these many years. You’ve held my hand; you’ve held my heart. So many blessings, so few tears – yet for a moment, we must part.” (Author unknown) Every loss is significant, every grief is noteworthy, but when someone in our family dies, either our family of origin or the family we created as an adult, we feel a distinctive loss. This seminar explores the unique considerations and complications of familial death-loss.

Grief : An Apprenticeship with Sorrow: September 14, ,2024

“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” – Kahlil Gibran Grief tending is arduous work, it is exhausting and it has a way of encompassing every corner of life. To grieve well we must befriend the pain, honor the journey, and apprentice in sorrow. This seminar explores the emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical impact of sorrow.

Regaining Comfort & Joy in the Holidays: November 16, 2024

I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; Yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; Yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.” (Og Mandino) When your heart is broken and life is complicated by the death-loss of someone significant in your life, the holidays can be overwhelming. From the empty chair at the family holiday meal to the merriment of neighborhood and office parties, the challenge to honor your pain and allow yourself some happiness is formidable. This seminar offers an opportunity to prepare your heart and your calendar to find comfort and joy during the holidays.

Register for March 23,2024 Five Gates of Grief

We hope you will join us, whether suffering a personal loss or seeking to increase your grief literacy we look forward to seeing you.