Why is a bereavement/grief ministry needed? Every person will experience a loss/death that will cause a grieving/mourning valley. The need for support, resources, comfort and connections are imperative in the valley of grief and mourning. Who better to serve hurting people than the body of Christ?
What is a Bereavement/Grief Ministry?
A bereavement/grief ministry is a support system and resource center for grieving hearts.
A Bereavement/Grief Ministry is not a mental health service. No counseling should be administered unless professional mental health providers are on staff. *It is not necessary to have professional mental health providers on staff. You can have a functioning and productive bereavement/grief ministry without counselors.
What type of activities can a Bereavement/Grief Ministry provide?
A. Support Groups (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and/or every other month)
B. Memorial Service/Candle Light Vigil
C. Balloon Release/Butterfly Release
D. Book Club (Books should be focused on grief and healing with a Christian perspective)
Examples of books:
1-No More Good-Byes: What the Bible Says About Winning in Grief By: Ruby L. Taylor, M.S.W.
2-The Shack By: William P. Young
3-Grief: Comfort for Those Who Grieve and Those Who Want to Help By: Haddon W. Robinson
4-When God & Grief Meet: True Stories of Comfort and Courage By: Lynn Eib
5-When You Lose Someone You Love: Comfort for Those Who Grieve By: Richard Exley
6- When Answers Aren't Enough: Experiencing God As Good When Life Isn't By: Matt Rogers
7- One Minute After You Die, Updated Edition By: Erwin W. Lutzer
8- When You've Been Wronged: Moving From Bitterness to Forgiveness By: Erwin W. Lutzer
9- A Grief Observed By: CS Lewis
E. Movie Night (movies should be focused on grief and healing with a Christian perspective)
Examples of movies:
1- Mad Believer www.MadBeliever.com
2- The Power of Forgiveness
3- Kingdom Come
4- Left Behind
5- The Case of Faith
F. Inspirational Minute - In church service the Bereavement Ministry can give a quote, a scripture, or a testimony to uplift and inspire the brokenhearted
G. Visiting Committee (create weekly or monthly visits to bereaved members)
H. Send Cards/Letters (a monthly or quarterly card or letter for the first year of the loved ones death)
I. Fun Day (Luncheon, Play, Amusement Park, Dinner, Park, Local Tours, Bowling, Sports Event,)
J. Referral Service (Christian Counselor, Life Insurance, Funeral Home, Basic Needs)
K. Mentor Program (A person who is healed from their valley of grief and mourning can help someone who is just beginning in their grief and mourning valley)
L. Prayer Service (Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly)
M. Presentations/Workshops - Bring in a speaker who can present on grief and healing (Ruby L. Taylor, M.S.W. is available)
N. Create and Distribute Pamphlets/Brochures
O. Retreat (Weekend Get-Away)
P. Attend Grief Conferences
Q. Awareness Night (Bring information about wills, life insurance, medical decisions and other planning activities for our death)
R. Bring flowers to the cemetery
S. Praise Night ( A night filled with praise and glory to our God)
How to organize a bereavement/grief ministry?
1- Announce the meeting to discuss the creation/renewal of the bereavement ministry/Put up flyers/Post on your church website
2- Conduct the meeting
3- Create a plan of action
4- Implement the plan
5- Review (quarterly, annually) what is working and what is not
6- Implement changes
7- Continue step 1-6
How to fund your Bereavement/Grief Ministry?
- Create a budget and ask the church to assist with all or a portion of your budget
- Ask for sponsorships from your local insurance company, restaurants, cemeteries and funeral homes
- Fundraise (memorial night dinner, create memory programs, and partner with other Christian organizations)
- Ask for donations every 5th Saturday or Sunday
Websites for Bereaved/Grief Ministries:
www.JoyWillCome.com
www.MadBeliever.com
www.thepowerofforgiveness.com
http://www.wendtcenter.org/
http://griefshare.org/
http://www.bereavedparentsusa.org/
http://www.griefwork.org/
http://adoptionworks1-px.rtrk.com/
http://counseling-works1-px.rtrk.com/
http://www.hospiceoflancaster.org/whatispathways.htm
http://www.ingriefsite.com/prayer
