News & Press
Nurturing Hope in Difficult Times
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “Hope is the pillar that holds up the world.” — Pliny the Elder The caller to the Center for Loss asked a question that is on the hearts of many right now: “Are we going to get through this?” It became obvious as the...Coronavirus and the Six Needs of Mourning
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Alongside the physical pandemic, the novel coronavirus is causing a pandemic of grief. That’s what we’re all feeling right now—grief. It’s important to recognize that. Grief is everything we think and feel inside of us whenever our...Funerals in the Time of Coronavirus: Thoughts for Families
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Needless to say, the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 is a challenging time for everyone. But if someone you love has died, it is likely that the current social distancing orders and travel restrictions are making funeral planning especially...How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus Pandemic
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. As the coronavirus spreads across North America and our daily lives are transformed, we all must be aware of the need for good mental-health care. Obviously, it’s a stressful time. Families are confined to their homes. School is canceled....This Pandemic of Grief
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. The coronavirus is not only causing a viral pandemic—it is giving rise to a pandemic of grief. As I write this, in mid-March, we as a global community are suffering so many losses that I hardly know where to begin. Death and grief go...For Funeral Directors: Dealing with Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Acknowledging the Current Reality – Implications for Families As you consider how to approach funeral planning during this global pandemic, don’t forget: 1. Anything that delays a funeral delays the natural mourning and healing process....Dr. Wolfelt in the News: Kobe Bryant’s Memorial and the Value of Ceremony
Dr. Wolfelt is pleased to have been interviewed about the value of ceremony in a recent article for USA Today. The article, “Kobe Bryant: How will wife Vanessa work through incomparable grief” can be found on here.Dr. Wolfelt in the News: How to Cope with a Celebrity Death
Dr. Wolfelt is pleased to have been interviewed and referenced in a recent article for Sweety High. The article, “How to Cope with the Loss of a Beloved Celebrity, According to a Grief Expert” can be found on here.Eleven Tenets of Companioning the Bereaved
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Tenet One: Companioning is about being present to another person’s pain; it is not about taking away the pain. Tenet Two: Companioning is about going to the wilderness of the soul with another human being’ it is not...An Invitation from Dr. Wolfelt
Dr. Wolfelt invites you to attend our trainings in Fort Collins, Colorado or Scottsdale, Arizona! Find more information and registration here. View the training catalog...Dr. Wolfelt in the News: Meaningful Condolence Gifts for Grieving Friends
Dr. Wolfelt is pleased to have been interviewed and referenced in a recent article for the Strategist in New York Magazine. The article, “18 Meaningful Condolence Gifts for Grieving Friends” can be found on here.August 2019 Newsletter
The Center for Loss released its quarterly newsletter on August 6, 2019. Find it here.Mourning Fictional Characters
Dr. Wolfelt was pleased to be interviewed by Popular Science on mourning the death of fictional characters. The article, by Eleanor Cummins, can be found here.The Grief and Mourning of Cancer
The article, “The Grief and Mourning of Cancer” by Dr. Wolfelt appears in the March/April 2019 edition of Coping with Cancer. Find the PDF here. The magazine website can be found here.How to Thrive Through Major Changes at Work
Dr. Wolfelt is pleased to have been interviewed and referenced in a recent article for WeWork The article, “How to Thrive Through Major Changes at Work” can be found on here.What to Say When a Friend’s Loved one Dies by Suicide
Dr. Wolfelt is pleased to have been interviewed and referenced in a recent article for SELF. The article, “What to Say When a Friend’s Loved One Dies by Suicide” can be found on here.Dr. Wolfelt in the News: 10 Things to Do After Losing Your Job
Dr. Wolfelt is pleased to have been interviewed and referenced in a recent article for Thrive Global. The article, “10 Things to Do After Losing Your Job” can be found on here.February 2019 Newsletter
The Center for Loss released its quarterly newsletter on February 4, 2019. Find it here.November Newsletter
The Center for Loss released its quarterly newsletter on November 5, 2018. Find it here.Dr. Wolfelt in the News: My Jewish Learning
Dr. Wolfelt is pleased to have been interviewed and referenced in a recent article for My Jewish Learning. The article, “How to Help a Friend Through a Loss” can be found on here.October 2017 Center for Loss Newsletter
Please click here to see the October 2017 Center for Loss newsletter.New 2018-2019 Training Catalog Released
Dr. Wolfelt invites you to his upcoming bereavement care trainings. They’re filling quickly. Register soon! Come learn from the founder of the Companioning Model of grief care. We will continue to offer trainings in both Fort Collins, Colorado and Scottsdale,...Healing Your Grief About Getting Older – Age Brilliantly
An excerpt from Dr. Wolfelt’s book “Healing Your Grief About Getting Older” has been highlighted by Age Brilliantly. Find the link here.Australia Funeral Service makes use of Dr. Wolfelt’s teaching to advocate for the Importance of Meaningful Funerals.
The Australia Funeral Service is making use of Dr. Wolfelt’s teaching to advocate for the Importance of Meaningful Funerals by running a series of article in a local newspaper. The article will run every six weeks and help support the educational tours and discussions...Dr. Wolfelt honors Jan C. Scruggs
This year’s Lasting Impact Award, presented by The International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association Education Foundation, was presented to Jan C. Scruggs, the driving force behind the construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Dr. Wolfelt was...Important Training Schedule Announcement – Updated!
Great News! After some reflection and discernment, Dr. Wolfelt has decided to continue to offer his trainings into future years. As he noted: “I was humbled by the number of people who sent notes or called in to encourage me to continue my trainings anchored in the...In Praise of Slow Funerals
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Have you ever noticed that we are speed-obsessed these days, even though faster is often not better? A century ago, the Industrial Revolution brought about mass production and with it an emphasis on speed, efficiency, and productivity....Center for Loss 2017 Training Schedule Announced!
The Center for Loss and Life Transition provides quality bereavement care training for caregivers. Dr. Wolfelt’s seminars have evolved out of a demand for concise yet comprehensive information in the growing area of death education and counseling. If you want to learn...New Book Helps Funeral Directors Create Exceptional Funerals
Companion Press announces the publication of a new book entitled A Tale of Two Funerals: The Throw Rug and the Tapestry, by renowned grief educator Dr. Alan Wolfelt. Written specifically for funeral directors, funeral service leaders, and funeral home staff members,...Dr. Wolfelt to Impact Funeral Service Internationally in 2017!
Author, educator, and well-known consultant to funeral service Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D., will share his critical message of the importance of meaningful funerals in several locations internationally in 2017. Dr. Wolfelt will be the keynote speaker for the Funeral...Helping Yourself Heal When Someone You Care About Dies of a Drug Overdose
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. A friend or family member has died of a drug overdose. Death and grief are always hard, but when someone dies from drug use, understanding your feelings and knowing what to think and say about the death can be especially difficult....Grieving the Death of a Celebrity
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. When someone we have admired from afar dies, it’s normal and natural to experience grief. This article will help you understand your thoughts and feelings over the death of a celebrity and find healing ways to mourn. What is...New Training Catalog Available!
The new 2017-2018 Training Catalog is here! You can check out the digital files below, or contact us to request hard copies at (970) 226-6050 or training@centerforloss.com Click here to download a PDF of the catalog.Dr. Wolfelt interviewed by Brit + Co
To view the full article, please click here.Why Is the Funeral Ritual Important?
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “When words are inadequate, have a ritual.” — Author Unknown Rituals are symbolic activities that help us, together with our families and friends, express our deepest thoughts and feelings about life’s most important events. Baptism...Helping Your Family Heal After Stillbirth
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Stillbirth is a profound loss Few events in life bring about such warm and wonderful feelings of anticipation as the announcement of a pregnancy. As soon as you and your family learned you were expecting, you naturally began to have...Reaching Out for Help When You Are Grieving
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “Action is the antidote to despair.” – Joan Baez When someone you love dies, you must mourn if you are to renew your capacity for love. In other words, mourning brings healing. But healing also requires the support and...Living in the Shadow of the Ghosts of Grief: An Introduction
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.” — Kahlil Gibran A central truth is that all of us as human beings are connected in our experiences of loss and grief. If you have picked up this newsletter...Helping Yourself Heal During the Holiday Season
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Holidays are often difficult for anyone who has experienced the death of someone loved. Rather than being times of family togetherness, sharing and thanksgiving, holidays can bring feelings of sadness, loss and emptiness. Love...Helping Yourself Heal When a Pet Dies
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. A pet is a family member, too A pet is often a member of the family. In fact, surveys show some interesting facts about pet owners: 84 percent consider their animals family members; 99 percent talk to their pets, and 54 percent...Helping Your Family Personalize a Funeral
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. If you are in the midst of planning a funeral, you may be feeling overwhelmed right now. Many details must be attended to. Many people must be contacted. Many decisions must be made. Your natural and necessary feelings of grief make...Helping Teenagers Cope with Grief
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Each year thousands of teenagers experience the death of someone they love. When a parent, sibling, friend or relative dies, teens feel the overwhelming loss of someone who helped shape their fragile self-identities. And these feelings...Helping Your Family Heal After Miscarriage
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Miscarriage is a significant loss It is normal and natural to hurt deeply after miscarriage. While others may imply or outright tell you that miscarriage happens too early on for you to be attached to the baby, or that miscarriage is...Helping a Grieving Friend in the Workplace
By Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “Grief is a long, painful journey. As the friend of a grieving coworker, you can choose to help make the journey more tolerable. Tell your coworker how sorry you are and listen if she wants to talk. Be available to her in the...Helping Yourself Heal When an Adult Sibling Dies
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other’s hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs...Helping Yourself Heal When a Parent Dies
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Your mother or father has died. Whether you had a good, bad or indifferent relationship with the parent who died, your feelings for him or her were probably quite strong. At bottom, most of us love our parents deeply. And they love...Helping Children Understand Cremation
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. The adult as role model and helper A child you care about is grieving the loss of someone loved. If you, too, loved the person who died, you are now faced with the difficult but critical task of helping both yourself and the child...Helping Children with Funerals
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. The adult as role model and helper A child you care about is grieving. If you, too, loved the person who died, you are now faced with the difficult but critical task of helping both yourself and the child heal. Throughout the coming months...Helping Yourself Heal When Your Child Dies
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “The experience of grief is powerful. So, too, is your ability to help yourself heal. In doing the work of grieving, you are moving toward a renewed sense of meaning and purpose in your life.” ~ ~ ~ Allow yourself to mourn Your...
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