Global Grief Network logoGGN Secondary Grief and Compassion Fatigue
Global Grief Network Education Center
Module 5 of 6

Grief and Meaning in Caring Work

About 1 hour

If you or someone you know may be in danger right nowCall 988Text 988Immediate danger: call 911

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free, confidential, and open 24/7 by call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. Veterans: dial 988 then press 1. Outside the US, use your local emergency number or crisis line. This program is education, not crisis care. If you are struggling as you read, please pause and reach out now.

Lessons in this module
  1. Making space for grief
  2. Rituals at work
  3. Meaning and stepping back

Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

Lesson

Making space for grief

Supporters may not have space to grieve those they cared for. Taking a moment to remember, write a note, or share with colleagues can help.

Rituals at work

Teams can create simple rituals, such as a moment of silence, a remembrance book, or a yearly memorial gathering, to honor people they supported.

Meaning and stepping back

Many supporters also find deep meaning and satisfaction in their work. Noticing the good moments can sustain them. Sometimes, though, stepping back, reducing hours, or changing roles is the healthiest choice, and that is okay.

GGN reminder: Honoring those we have supported helps us keep caring.
GGN practiceA remembrance note (about 10 minutes)

Write a short, private note to someone you supported who has died or whom you no longer see. Thank them for what you learned. If this brings up pain, pause and reach out to someone you trust, or call or text 988.

Fictional storyFictional Story 5.1: The remembrance book

A care home team started a remembrance book. Staff write a memory of each resident who dies. Once a year they read some entries aloud together. Staff say it helps them grieve and remember why they do the work.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why might the book help?
  2. What could your team try?

Discussion: The book gives staff a place for secondary grief and a shared ritual. Teams can adapt the idea to their own setting.

Reflection Prompts

  1. Where could you make space for secondary grief?
  2. What rituals could your team create?
  3. What brings you meaning in caring?

Module 5 Quiz

Choose one answer per question, then check your answers. You need 4 of 5 correct to pass, and every critical item must be correct. You can retake it any time.