Grief Trainings for Community Members

Fundamentals of Grief: Helping Individuals Navigate Their Grief Journey
An in-person training for members of the community hosted by Maureen Walsh, NP, FT.

REGISTER HERE
September 26th, 2026
9:00am-3:00pm
Thanks to generous grant funding, we're able to offer this training for $50 (Regularly $129).

Hosted by Hope Floats' Maureen Walsh, NP, FT, Fundamentals of Grief is an in-person training designed for community members, professionals, educators, caregivers, and anyone who wants to better understand grief and support someone who is grieving. This six-hour workshop will explore the dynamics of grief and provide practical tools and strategies for supporting individuals through their grief journey.Through presentation, personal reflection, and group discussion, participants will explore topics including grief theories, disenfranchised grief, secondary loss, children and grief, grief over time, self-care, and what grievers need from those around them.

Certificates of completion will be administered upon completion of course evaluation. Workshop requires at least 8 participants. For more information contact us 781-585-4221 or at
info@hopefloatswellness.org

Every person will experience grief and loss – a normal yet profound sense of final physical separation from something or someone important. While there are similarities in how individuals work through and experience loss, grief is a complicated and truly unique experience that requires helpers to be sensitive to the needs and experiences of those they are supporting.

This workshop is designed to give helpers an increased awareness of the dynamics of grief, and to provide tools and strategies to best support someone who is grieving.

Course Overview:
Through presentation, personal reflection, and group discussion, this workshop will cover Disenfranchised Grief, Grief Theories, Chaos of Grief, Children & Grief, What Grievers Need, Grief Over Time, Tools and Strategies and more.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this training you should be able to:

  • Explain the characteristics of grief
  • Define the difference between grief and mourning
  • Define the differences between grief theories
  • Describe how secondary loss impacts an individual
  • Describe the current concepts of aiding a child through grief
  • Recognize when outside help is needed

Training Schedule:

  • 8:45AM-9:00AM - Registration
  • 9AM-11:15AM - Understanding Grief and Its Impact on Our Lives
  • 11:15AM-11:30AM - Break
  • 11:30AM-12:30PM - Activity: Grief Over Time
  • 12:30PM-1:00PM - Lunch
  • 1:00PM-1:45PM - Self Care & Resources
  • 1:45PM-2:45PM - What Works/What Doesn't
  • 2:45PM-3:00PM - Evaluations & Certificates

Maureen F. Walsh, NP, FT is a retired psychiatric nurse practitioner, grief therapist, and educator. Maureen is certified as a Fellow in Thanatology by the Association for Death, Education and Counseling (ADEC). While working as a school nurse/health teacher, Maureen started the school bereavement program and coordinated it for 14 years. She developed Lessons of Life and Loss, a Grade 1-8 school bereavement program, which she has presented to faculties of various schools in Massachusetts. Maureen began her own grief practice, Grief Weavers LLC in 2007 in which she saw private patients and spoke at schools and community organizations about grief issues. In 2017, Maureen moved Grief Weavers to Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center where she continued her private practice, assisted in Mike’s Club and is now part of the H.E.A.R.T program as the Education Outreach Director. (Hope Floats Education and Awareness Response Team).

Our goal is to raise awareness about grief through education and community outreach. This encompasses trainings, workshops and presentations for professionals, educators, and members of the community. Please contact us at 781-585-4221 for further accommodation needs.

"The Fundamentals of Grief Training was not only interesting and informative but provided much needed answers to questions such as how to explain death to children. It was clear from the outset that the presenters Maureen and Erin were not only very knowledgeable but also very caring and warm individuals. Also appreciated, were the wonderful book recommendations each provided." ~Madeleine F.

“Fundamentals of Grief Training provided a platform where education and expertise are met with compassion and commonality. Families at Friends of Aine will truly benefit from the guidance provided. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this extraordinary experience." ~Mandi S., Good Grief Program Coordinator