A bereavement course is being held this month in Ballina, Co. Mayo to provide understanding and support for those facing loss. The programme, organised by Killala Diocese is hosted by Monica Morley, Director of the Knock Shrine Family Centre and takes place every Tuesday from November 4-25 at The Newman Institute.
“I think in Ireland we do funerals very well,” Ms Morley said. “But for people who are bereaved, the grief journey only begins then, and people can feel very alone and very confused, because their whole life changes.” The course seeks to support people through that journey.
“One of the things that strikes me is the number of men who attend these courses, particularly men who lost their wives,” Ms Morley said. She explained that the group is usually mixed, and that it gathers “people who have had recent bereavements… but also people who have had bereavements many, many years ago, who didn’t get support” at the time.
Once the course is over, participants are encouraged to join the monthly gathering, which takes place at the second Wednesday of each month and is a safe space for mutual support.
