Grief Support & Niche Areas
Resources
Whether you’re grieving a loss or supporting someone who is, these resources offer practical guidance to help navigate the journey. From understanding grief’s impact to finding ways to cope, these workbooks and guides provide tools for both personal healing and offering support to others. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and neither do these resources—use them at your own pace and check back for new additions over time.
Downloadable Workbooks & Guides
Created by Inner Sojourn
This section is filled with thoughtfully created workbooks and guides designed to support you through grief, emotional regulation, and life’s difficult moments. Whether you're looking for tools to help name your emotions, track your feelings, or find strategies for coping, these resources offer practical support you can use at your own pace.
New resources will be added over time, so check back for fresh tools to support your journey. If there's something specific you'd like to see, I’d love to hear from you!
The first days of grief can be overwhelming and disorienting. This guide offers simple, practical support to help you navigate the emotions, exhaustion, and uncertainty that come with loss. No right way exists to grieve, but small, manageable steps can help you get through each moment.
Grief isn’t linear—it comes in waves, sometimes gentle, sometimes overwhelming. This guide offers practical support to help you ride the ups and downs, recognize triggers, and find steadier ground as you move through your loss.
Finding the right words after a loss can be difficult. This resource offers guidance on what not to say, supportive things to say instead, and how to gently respond when someone says the wrong thing.
Managing Difficult Times: Identify, Manage, Plan
Challenging times can feel overwhelming, but breaking them down into clear steps can help. This resource provides structured guidance to support you through difficult moments:
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Identify – Track key dates, anniversaries, and triggers that may impact your emotions.
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Manage – Use coping strategies to regulate emotions and stay grounded in the moment.
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Plan – Develop a proactive approach to prepare for upcoming challenges.
These tools offer practical support to help you navigate difficult times with greater awareness and resilience. Click the links above to explore each step.
Grief is ever-changing, and tracking your experiences can help you understand patterns, triggers, and what supports you best. This Grief Monitoring Diary provides a structured space to:
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Record daily emotions and thoughts
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Identify triggers and coping strategies
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Track changes in grief over time
By using this worksheet, you can gain insight into your grief journey and recognize what helps you navigate difficult moments.
Grief is deeply personal, and there is no “right” way to mourn. The Mourner’s Bill of Rights, created by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, affirms that you have the right to grieve in your own way, at your own pace, without pressure to “move on” or conform to others’ expectations.
Grief isn’t linear—it’s tangled, messy, and ever-changing. This Ball of Grief Coloring Page provides a creative way to explore and express your emotions. As you color, reflect on the different threads of grief—memories, emotions, and experiences—that are woven together in your journey.
There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, just as there’s no right or wrong way to color. Use this page as a tool for self-expression, mindfulness, and processing your grief at your own pace.
General Grief Resources
Bereavement Ontario Network (BON) connects individuals and organizations across Ontario to support those experiencing grief. Through networking, education, and resource-sharing, BON enhances bereavement care and raises awareness about grief support services.
Refuge in Grief is a platform founded by psychotherapist and grief advocate Megan Devine, offering compassionate support and resources for those navigating loss. Through her best-selling book, It's OK That You're Not OK, online courses, and the "It's OK That You're Not OK" podcast, Megan provides validation and practical tools for living with grief.
The Ontario Funeral Service Association (OFSA) provides a comprehensive collection of grief support resources to assist individuals and families coping with loss. Their curated list includes organizations, peer support groups, and educational materials to help navigate the grieving process. Whether you're seeking community support or informational resources, OFSA connects you with valuable tools to support your journey through grief.
Open to Hope is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals navigating grief and loss. Founded by Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley, Open to Hope offers a wealth of resources including articles, podcasts, and television episodes featuring experts and personal stories of hope and healing. Their mission is to help people find hope after loss and to provide a platform for sharing stories of resilience.​
The G.R.A.C.E. Model of Compassion
Developed by Roshi Joan Halifax, the G.R.A.C.E. Model offers a mindful, compassionate approach to grief. It provides a structured way to stay present, process emotions, and respond with self-compassion. By cultivating awareness, reflecting on your experiences, and engaging with kindness, this model helps you move through grief with greater ease.
Grief is complex, but this framework offers gentle guidance to support you through loss. Access the PDF guide for deeper reflection.
The Dinner Party connects adults ages 20–40 who have experienced loss through small, peer-led gatherings. These in-person and virtual “tables” provide a space to share stories, find support, and build community with others who understand. By fostering meaningful conversations, The Dinner Party reimagines grief support for a new generation.
Speaking Grief is a public media initiative dedicated to building a more grief-aware society. Through a documentary, expert insights, and personal stories, it validates the grief experience and offers resources to support both grievers and those around them.
Family Resources
Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO) is a provincial organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families grieving the loss of a loved one. Through a network of affiliates across Ontario, BFO offers peer-based support programs, resources, and compassionate communities to help the bereaved navigate their grief journey.
Lighthouse for Grieving Children is a registered charity offering free, open-ended peer support groups for children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving the death of an immediate family member or close friend. Through in-person and online sessions, participants find a safe space to share their experiences and receive support from others who understand.
Coming Soon
Come back soon to see additional resources
My Grief.ca
MyGrief.ca is a free, confidential online resource created by Canadian Virtual Hospice to help individuals navigate and understand grief. It offers self-directed modules covering topics like coping with intense emotions, self-care, and the grieving process. The platform also provides specialized grief support for LGBTQ2S+ individuals, Indigenous and Inuit communities, children and teens, caregivers, and healthcare providers. With real-life stories, expert guidance, and tailored resources, MyGrief.ca offers a compassionate, accessible space for anyone experiencing loss.
MyGrief.ca offers a comprehensive suite of resources to support individuals navigating grief:
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Grief Basics Modules
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Relationship Series:
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Death of a spouse or partner
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Loss of a parent, child, sibling, grandparent, friend, or co-worker
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Pregnancy and Infant Loss Series
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Specialized Topics:
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Grief in 2SLGBTQ+ communities
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Grief after trauma
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Grief related to substance use
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Grief following Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD)
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Supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities through grief
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Suicide loss
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Unrecognized grief
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Prolonged grief
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Caregiver Series: Guidance for caregivers on topics such as:
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Reactions to diagnoses
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Effective communication
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Preparing for home caregiving
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Self-care for caregivers
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Managing medications and providing hands-on care
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Recognizing symptoms and offering comfort
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Understanding the signs when death is near
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Navigating the period after death has occurred
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