Understanding Grief: The Many Ways We Experience and Adapt to Loss

Grief is a universal response to loss, but it does not look, feel, or unfold the same way for everyone. Our experiences are shaped by our relationships, personal histories, cultures, circumstances, and the meaning a loss holds in our lives.

This two-part class offers an inviting introduction to the many ways grief is experienced and understood.

Session One: Understanding Different Forms of Grief

The first session explores what grief and bereavement mean, how ideas about grieving have changed over time, and the different forms grief may take. We will consider how the nature of a loss and the circumstances surrounding it can shape a person’s experience, as well as what evolutionary and neurological perspectives can teach us about why humans grieve.

Session Two: Understanding Grief Trajectories

The second session examines the different ways grief may unfold over time. Rather than following one predictable path, grief may change in intensity, reappear at different moments, or become integrated into a person’s life in different ways. We will explore common patterns while emphasizing that no trajectory represents the “correct” way to grieve.

Together, the two sessions provide a broader and more compassionate understanding of grief without prescribing how anyone should respond to loss or how long grieving should take. By the end of the class, you will have a clearer understanding of the ideas that shape how we think about grief and a greater appreciation for the many ways people experience and adapt to loss.

The class is open to everyone; no previous knowledge or professional experience is required.

This class consists of two 1.5-hour live online sessions:

• Monday, January 11, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern
• Thursday, January 14, 2027, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern

Registration includes a certificate for 3 Professional Development Hours (PDHs).

All proceeds from this class directly support the Center for Death Education’s nonprofit mission to make accurate, compassionate education about death, dying, grief, and end-of-life care accessible and affordable.