Grief Care
Grief Care is a compassionate, biblically grounded grief support ministry resource. It helps people name their loss, understand their grief, and move toward healing in community. Designed for a diverse context, Grief Care is a ten-week series that offers practical tools and guided reflection for those grieving the death of a significant person in their life.
A safe place to grieve in community
This course material draws on a variety of disciplines, including psychology, psychotherapy, counselling, theology, and personal experiences of writers from all walks of life. Presented from an evangelical, biblical worldview, it respects all worldviews and is written for a diverse audience.
Facilitator workshop required: A one-time, one-day workshop is required for those looking to facilitate Grief Care. To help organize a workshop or learn more, please email corps.mission@salvationarmy.ca.
What Grief Care offers
Grief Care recognizes that every grief journey is unique, while also acknowledging the shared challenges many people face after the death of a loved one. The series combines practical grief support, weekly reflection, conversation, and Christian hope in a respectful environment that honours different backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs.
How the group works
Each gathering typically includes a welcome, participant sharing, review of the previous week’s journal assignment, a brief prayer, the topic, discussion, and a new assignment for the week ahead. The format is interactive, and participants are invited to engage as they are comfortable.
A ministry resource for churches
Grief Care is more than a study. It is a pastoral ministry framework that can help corps and congregations create safe, compassionate space for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. It supports local pastoral care, provides a Canadian ministry context, and helps facilitators grow in compassion, listening, ministry presence, and appropriate support practices.
See Grief Care in action
Watch this short introduction to Grief Care and hear more about the heart behind the series, how it supports people experiencing grief, and how it can be used in a corps or ministry setting.
Designed for participants and facilitators
Participant Support
The Participant Manual includes weekly themes, journal prompts, discussion topics, and practical tools to help people move through grief with honesty, courage, and support.
Facilitator Resources
The Facilitator Package includes instructions and guidance for each weekly session, including PowerPoint teaching content, discussion prompts, pacing notes, prayer moments, and other support materials for group leadership.
Topics covered throughout the series
Week 1
What’s normal? What’s not?
Understanding grief responses, naming the shock of loss, and recognising the many ways grief affects a person.
Week 2
The journey of grief
Exploring what to expect on the grief journey.
Week 3
What do I do with why questions?
Making space for questions, lament, and the struggle of unanswered grief.
Week 4
Special days and ordinary days
Facing holidays, anniversaries, routines, and sleepless nights with honesty and intention.
Week 5
Circumstances, places, and people
Navigating triggers, relational strain, familiar spaces, and the pressures surrounding grief.
Week 6
Regret, guilt, hurt, and anger
Addressing difficult emotions that can surface after loss and learning healthy responses.
Week 7
The tasks of grief, part one
Accepting the reality of death, processing pain, and adjusting to a changed world.
Week 8
The tasks of grief, part two
Continuing bonds with the person who died in healthy and meaningful ways.
Week 9
Life after death
Reflecting on death, hope, faith, and questions surrounding what happens when we die.
Week 10
What now?
Considering renewed meaning, purpose, and how to move forward while carrying grief honestly.
Resource collection
Download the core Grief Care materials and supporting resources below.
Facilitator downloads
Download the complete Facilitator Package, including the cover/content pages and all ten weekly slide decks, or access the individual weekly PowerPoint files below.
Participant Manual
The Participant Manual includes weekly themes, journal prompts, discussion topics, and practical tools for the ten-week series.
Facilitator Package
The Facilitator Package includes the cover and content pages together with the PowerPoint teaching decks for all ten weekly sessions. Downloads are available above.
Registration Form
Participant intake form to support registration and initial pastoral understanding of each situation.
Group Member Agreement
Confidentiality and participation expectations for those taking part in the Grief Care series.
Experiences with Grief Care
Reflections from ministry leaders and participants who have experienced Grief Care.
Ministry endorsement
Northridge Community Church
“Grief Care has become a meaningful extension of the pastoral care ministry in our church. It provides a safe and compassionate space where people can name their loss, understand their grief, and journey toward healing alongside others.”
Majors Fred and Carolyn Reid
Participant endorsements
A supportive environment
“It was helpful to have a supportive environment to share my grief experience. The content was very well researched but presented in a personal, caring way.”
S.
A meaningful turning point
“The program gave me a safe, compassionate space to begin processing my loss. Even years later, I continue to carry its lessons with me.”
G.
Greater hope and peace
“In a safe environment, we listened and contributed respectfully. I learned coping skills to manage grief and to look forward with greater hope and peace.”
M.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Grief Care for?
Grief Care is intended for people grieving the death of a significant person in their life. The materials emphasize human loss, shared support, and weekly reflection in community.
Is the ministry only for Christians?
The series is biblically based and presented from a Christian worldview, but the materials also make clear that participants do not need to be Christian to attend. Mutual respect and openness to learning from others are important parts of the group environment.
What does a typical session include?
Sessions generally include a welcome, sharing about the week, review of the journal assignment, brief prayer, the evening topic, discussion, and an assignment for the week ahead.
Can churches use these materials as-is?
Please follow the permissions included with the Grief Care materials. If you are unsure about using or sharing a resource, contact Corps Mission for guidance.
What support should be in place for higher-risk situations?
Facilitators should understand their limitations and have clear referral pathways for complex grief, trauma, severe depression, mental health concerns, substance abuse, or signs of self-harm risk. Churches should also ensure emergency and counselling contacts are available.
Interested in using or exploring Grief Care?
If your corps or ministry is interested in training or support to help you get started with Grief Care, please contact Corps Mission.
Contact Corps Mission
Email: corps.mission@salvationarmy.ca
Website: www.corpsmission.ca
Training and support
Contact us to learn more about Grief Care, ask about training, or receive support as your corps or ministry prepares to offer the series.
