Purpose of the Group for Participants
- To understand their grief process
- To respond to their traumatic loss in more active/empowered ways
- To foster resilience
- To tell their stories in healing ways
- To improve overall health and daily functioning
- To learn from and support each other in the grief process
- To restore a sense of self
Objective
To set the tone for the next six weeks. Be thoughtful, instructional, and respectful, establish boundaries and acknowledge that each participant is the authority on their own experience. There will be an opportunity for each participant to tell their story to help participants connect with one another and to commemorate their loved one(s).
| Component | Discussion | Tools / Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Topic | Orientation and Commemoration | |
| Introduction | Welcome participants and introduce selves as facilitators. Impart housekeeping information (bathroom, refreshments, break time); | Binders and journals will be on each participant’s chair. Bio for facilitators are included as handouts for this session. |
| Provide overview of the six week program;
Have participants introduce themselves (request that they hold their story for later sharing); Stress the importance of a commitment to coming each week and punctuality; |
Have participants refer to Tab 1. | |
| Participants read “Guidelines for Participants” and Mourner’s Bill of Rights; | Have participants refer to Tab 2. | |
| Participants to sign Confidentiality Agreement; | Have participants refer to Tab 3. | |
| Facilitators to paraphrase “Setting the Tone: Week One”; | Have participants refer to Tab 4. | |
| Discuss lighting of candle i.e. someone lights the candle each week (perhaps a specific week or date has a certain importance to someone). | Facilitator to bring a candle and lighter. | |
| Week One Session | Participants to tell their stories. | |
| Refreshment Break | – 15 minute break – | |
| Week One Session Continued | Participants continue telling their stories;
Participants explain what their hopes and fears are regarding participating in these sessions. |
|
| Reflection | Give each participant an opportunity to reflect on what they are committing to themselves to gain from this process. | |
| Closing Activity | Introduce next week’s topic of Self Care Part I;
Refer to the Evaluation Form at Tab 11 and encourage participants to complete appropriate sections each week while the information is fresh in their minds; Lead calming period exercise and invite participants to suggest ideas for future sessions; Encourage everyone to be kind to themselves over the week to come. |
Refer to What is Self-Care? and the Self-Care Checklist.
Relaxation techniques: music, art, meditation etc. |
Adapted from the B.C. Victims of Homicide Resource Guide for Facilitators of Homicide Loss Support Group (March 2014) and Canadian Parents Of Murdered Children’s Rebuilding Shattered Lives pilot project (March – April 2016).