December 2nd–8th marks National Grief Awareness Week, a time to pause, reflect, and open conversations about one of life’s most universal yet misunderstood experiences: grief. This annual observance aims to dismantle stigma, foster compassion, and remind us that grief is not a problem to fix—it’s a natural response to love and loss.
Start Here: Our Special Podcast Episode
As part of Grief Awareness Week, we bring you a powerful conversation with Patti Shaffner, a grief advocate and educator. In this episode, Patti shares her journey from personal loss to becoming a grief ritual tender, trained by experts like David Kessler and Francis Weller.
What you’ll learn in the episode:
- Grief Literacy Matters: Why understanding grief reduces isolation and stigma.
- Community Is Healing: How rituals and shared spaces help us honor grief collectively.
- Sacred Perspective: “Grief is Love” and “Our tears are holy”—grief isn’t a problem to fix but a sacred expression of love.
🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode.
Why This Week Matters
National Grief Awareness Week was created to provide a safe space for individuals and communities to acknowledge grief openly and without shame. The theme for 2025, “Growing with Grief,” emphasizes that while loss changes us, it can also become fertile ground for resilience and meaning. Across the U.S., organizations will host webinars, grief circles, and remembrance events, culminating in the Orange Light Campaign on December 8th, when landmarks and homes will glow in orange to honor those we’ve lost and those who grieve.
Local Resource: Their Story: A Grief Healing Process
For those in our community seeking deeper healing, we’re proud to share Their Story: A Grief Healing Process, a six-week program designed to help participants honor their loved ones through narrative and creative expression.
Rather than focusing on grief theory or traditional support, this program invites participants to tell the life story of the person they lost—segment by segment—while creating a tribute project such as a biography, artwork, composition, or even a tribute tattoo.
The experience concludes with a special reunion session six weeks later, where participants share their completed projects as a step in the healing process. With a focus on integrating memories in new ways, this transformative program fosters connection and collaboration among participants.
📌 Details:
- Commitment to all sessions required
- Group size: 3–6 participants
- Open to those addressing the loss of a loved one
- Includes a supportive, creative environment
How You Can Participate (Dec 2nd–8th)
- Light Up in Orange: On December 8th, illuminate your home or workplace in orange for grief awareness.
- Candle Lighting Ceremony: Join the nationwide tribute at 6 PM on December 8th.
- Share Your Story: Use hashtags #NGAW and #GrowingWithGrief to post memories or reflections.
- Attend a Virtual Grief Circle: Many organizations are hosting online gatherings for shared healing.
- Create a Memory Space: Dedicate a corner in your home with photos, candles, or flowers to honor loved ones.
- Practice a Grief Ritual: Write a letter to your loved one, plant seeds, or prepare their favorite meal.
- Support Local Resources: Consider joining Their Story or sharing the flyer with someone who may benefit.
Looking Ahead
What changes do we need in the next decade? More grief-literate workplaces, expanded bereavement leave, and cultural narratives that honor grief as a lifelong process—not a hurdle to overcome. As Patti reminds us:
“Grief is not a weakness. It’s the price of love.”
