In an online bereavement group or a one-to-one support session, this workbook would help participants know what to expect before they join and give facilitators a clear structure to work from. It explains the weekly format of the course, including six sessions of up to two hours, use of Teams for video calls, completion of online forms before sessions, and simple ways to prepare a private, comfortable space at home.
The early pages are practical and reassuring, which makes them useful for adults who may feel anxious about joining a grief group for the first time. There is guidance on using first names, switching on video where comfortable, keeping mobile phones silent, respecting different points of view, confidentiality within the group, and what to do if someone cannot attend a session.
A strong part of the workbook is its focus on safety between sessions. It clearly states that the bereavement course is not a crisis service and lists urgent support options such as GP contact, NHS 111, emergency services, A&E, Samaritans, local crisis support and trusted family or friends. The self-reflective risk guidance invites people to record useful telephone numbers and complete a personal safety plan, including signs that their mood is deteriorating and who they can contact for support.
The first teaching session introduces grief as a journey rather than a fixed timeline, which may be helpful for people who feel pressure to move on or recover quickly. Visible session content includes the whirlpool of grief, grief symptoms and feelings, stages of grief, and the dual process model for processing bereavement. The tone is gentle and normalising, recognising that every relationship and every grieving process is different.
Most suited to bereaved adults attending a structured grief course, wellbeing practitioners, counsellors, support workers and group facilitators, the workbook can be printed for participants or used digitally alongside online sessions. It combines course information, reflection prompts, coping preparation and grief psychoeducation in a format that supports both discussion and personal note-taking.
