You can use your experience to help others move through grieving and healing.

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If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, you know how much it means to talk to others who can relate to what you are experiencing. Avow's bereavement support volunteers are typically people who have experienced loss themselves. Volunteers play an invaluable role in helping people move through the grieving and healing process after the loss of a loved one. At the same time, volunteers say that the bereavement work they do continues to help them with their grieving process.

Bereavement support volunteers have the opportunity to work one-on-one with people experiencing loss, co-facilitate bereavement groups, communicate with families by phone or e-mail, and participate in community events. Our volunteers say that the most important talents they bring to this work are good communication skills, empathy, and a non-judgemental attitude.

"The experience of talking with others who have also experienced deep grief has been invaluable to my grieving and healing process. The experience has helped me understand how I can support others. I became a volunteer because it makes me feel good to help others who are going through the experience, and facilitating bereavement groups continues to help me heal. There is nothing like the feeling of helping people turn tears of sorrow into tears of joy." P.M., Bereavement Support Volunteer