Grief Library

• Grief Matters
  Our aim is for all grievers to be better supported.
• MyGrief.ca
  For adults to grieve at their own pace
• KidsGrief.ca
  How children grieve and how to support them
• Upopolis
  For teens living with serious illness diagnosis, and teens who have experienced family loss
• YouthGrief.ca
  By grieving youth, for grieving youth

• All There Is 
  In this nine-episode series, American broadcaster Anderson Cooper starts recording while packing up the possessions of his late mother Gloria Vanderbilt. Going through her diaries and heirlooms, as well as items left behind by his father and brother, the CNN anchor takes listeners on a personal exploration of grief. In a succession of moving conversations with experts and celebrity friends, Cooper discusses loss, the things people leave behind and how to live on.
• Good Mourning
  Described as a “grief support group in a podcast”, Good Mourning is two fun, slightly sweary mates – one Australian; the other a British expat – talking about loss. Hosts Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn share tips from doctors, scientists and family members on how to cope. The pair were brought together in what Carn describes as “really f— up circumstances” after losing their mothers during “that in between age” of adult life and finding they had few people to turn to. One for adulthood bereavement.
• The Grief Gang
  The Grief Gang is described as the gang “you never asked to be part of”.  In this heart-warming podcast, host Amber Jeffrey speaks to a range of friends and experts to get to grips with their experiences of loss and how it affects them. Jeffrey created the podcast after her mother died of a sudden heart attack in 2016 when she was just 19. “Above all this show aims to provide you with hope,” she writes.
• Grief is a Sneaky Bitch
  Creator and host Lisa Keefauver is on a mission to reimagine grief, one conversation at a time. She and her guests explore the expansiveness and pervasiveness of grief in our lives, because let’s face it, 100% of us experience grief, multiple times in our lives. And yet, individually, and collectively, we’re so grief-illiterate and that is causing us all harm. So, Lisa’s on a mission to reimagine grief, one conversation at a time. So glad you’re joining us.
• Griefcast
  Host Cariad Lloyd describes this as “funny people talking about death and grief.” Expect candid, humorous and often deeply moving conversations between Lloyd, a comedian, and celebrity guests as they open up about loved ones they have lost. Lloyd set up Griefcast in 2016, drawing on the loss of her father to pancreatic cancer during her teens.
• On the Marie Currie Couch
  The Marie Curie charity produces its own award-nominated podcast dealing with grief that is well worth a listen. The show invites a host of well-known guests to open up and share their experiences of grief on the therapy couch with bereavement expert Jason Davidson – whose soothing tones have a way of getting people talking. Guests are also encouraged to share their end of life plans – which may be particularly useful for anyone preparing for a bereavement.
• Terrible, thanks for asking
  This is a podcast that breaks down taboos surrounding grief, starting with that oh so innocuous question: how are you? “It’s a question we ask (and get asked) all the time: ‘How are you?’ And normally we just respond with ‘Fine!’ even if we’re totally dying inside,” writes host Nora McInerny. In this podcast, McInerny, an American author, speaks to normal people about their experiences of loss in all its forms, be that bereavement, divorce or to do with their career. During these conversations, McInerny draws on her personal experience of miscarrying a child and losing both her father and husband to cancer within several weeks in 2014. “It’s sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and almost always both,” she writes about the show.
• When You Die
  The last conversation you want to have shouldn’t be the last one you do have. The When You Die Project is here to facilitate a cultural dialogue most often avoided — one that begins at the end. We believe talking about death isn’t dangerous but, conversely, can nurture happier, healthier individuals and families who approach death informed, inspired and with a sense of humor. The podcast covers a wide range of death and dying topics from diverse perspectives.

• Friends in Bereavement
  Support for those grieving the death or approaching death of a loved one at no cost to participants.  Twice a month sessions take place in Kentville, Berwick and Bridgetown. Contact Jennifer Longley at 902-681-8239 or friendsinbereavement@gmail.com
• Bernie’s Buddies
  Upcoming workshops:
  Saturday November 23 – ages 4 to 9 – “Eddie’s Brave Journey” book reading at Kings County Family Resource Centre
  Saturday November 30 – ages 7 to 12 – “Grief n’ Grindz” making and sharing lunch together – Centre Burlington Hall, West Hants
  Saturday December 7 – ages 13 to 17 – “Making Memories Matter” photo project –  Tantallon Public Library, Tantallon HRM
  Email berniesbuddiesnovascotia@gmail.com
• GriefShare Kentville
  Meets at the New Hope Wesleyan Church, Thursdays at 7:00 pm. Please join us as we navigate the grief journey together.
• Understanding Grief After the Death of a Loved One (Annapolis Royal):
  October 25th – December 13th, 10 am. An 8-week session for those 18+ who have experienced loss more than 3 months ago. Meets at Annapolis Community Health Centre Friday mornings. Register by email at avprogramregistration@nshealth.ca or call/text 902-848-6416
• Understanding Grief After the Death of a Loved One (Kentville):
  October 16th-December 4th, 6 pm. An 8-week session for those 18+ who have experienced loss more than 3 months ago. Meets at Kings County Academy Wednesday evenings. Register by October 8th with Holly 902-678-3247
• Grief Gatherings in Windsor: Fridays 1 pm October 4, 25 and November 29
  Many people find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their grief. Come together in a supportive environment to explore the grief experience. Sessions are open to anyone over the age of 18. You are welcome to register for one, two or all three sessions. Email candace.norman@nshealth.ca
• Surviving the Holidays: December 7 Hantsport
  A GriefShare meeting at Hantsport Baptist Church. Help and hope as you navigate the Christmas season wondering how you will survive the weeks surrounding Christmas. $5 for “survival guide”
• Canadian Virtual Hospice
  Get support through online information and discussion groups

The Annapolis Valley Palliative Care Program serves patients who have been diagnosed with a progressive, life threatening illness. Palliative care can start while there are still many months or years left to live.

Phone: 902-542-6303

• Palliative Care at Nova Scotia Health
  Information to help you understand palliative care services
• LivingMyCulture.ca
  People from different cultures share their traditions regarding palliative care and grief

For Health Care Professionals

• Nova Scotia Health Library Services: Palliative Care
  Tools to assist you in a palliative approach to patient care

• Advance Care Planning: Making Your Personal and Medical Wishes Known (NS Health, 2022)
  Advance care planning – also called personal care planning –  is the process of reflecting on what is important to you, to help you plan for your future medical and personal care. It can include an important tool called a personal directive, which makes your wishes known if you are not able to talk for yourself.
• Personal Directives in Nova Scotia (NS Justice)
  More information about personal directives and what is legally required
• Preparing a Personal Directive (NS Justice)
  Instructions for creating your personal directive with a sample form
• Advance Care Planning Canada
  Information, tools, and resources to help you make informed decisions and share your wishes

For Health Care Professionals

• Nova Scotia Justice: Personal Directives Act
  Information for Health Care Providers