Grief Support 101 Training Page
Grief Support 101

An Introduction to Understanding and Supporting Grief

Grief Support 101 offers an introduction to the many ways people experience and navigate grief. Whether you are personally bereaved, work with individuals who are grieving, or simply want to deepen your understanding of loss, this training provides a compassionate foundation.

Rooted in principles of peer grief support, participants are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences with grief and explore how connection, empathy, and presence can foster healing.

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Upcoming Trainings: June 9 & August 11, 2026
Who this training is for

This training is designed for:

  • Individuals who are grieving or have experienced loss
  • Peer supporters and community helpers
  • Volunteers and staff in grief, crisis, or human service roles
  • Anyone seeking a deeper understanding of grief and peer-based approaches to support
Training overview

A compassionate foundation for understanding grief

This is not a clinical or professional grief counseling training, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow through shared understanding, cultural humility, and community-based support.

Participants will explore grief through a peer-informed lens and consider how lived experience, relationship, empathy, and presence can shape the way we support people who are grieving.

Learning objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Learning Objective 1 Define grief and describe common grief theories and models.
Learning Objective 2 Identify personal experiences of grief and explore how they inform understanding and empathy.
Learning Objective 3 Understand the RIVER model (Relate, Invite, Validate, Empower, Reassure) as a framework for peer grief support.
Learning Objective 4 Recognize the importance of cultural humility and how cultural perspectives shape grief and mourning practices.
Download a PDF with information on the training
Participant feedback

What participants have said

“Thank you Laura for the training gave me the understanding of how important this subject is to facilitate in groups the training allowed me to be more open and receptive to explore other topics to be a more informed and experienced facilitator.”
March 2026 Training Participant
“I feel like for me personally the timing is perfect meaning i am at the right time and place to see the importance and the respect that is needed to facilitate such a group i feel the trainings are well explained.”
March 2026 Training Participant
“The training was well balanced, and full of useful information. The breakout sessions were a nice way to work in teams.”
March 2026 Training Participant
“Laura presented the material in a Person Centered/Trauma Informed manner. Her tone and pace were fantastic. She was engaging, informative and demonstrated a solid knowledge of the topic.”
March 2026 Training Participant