Wendt Center for Loss & Healing

Using Rituals to Remember a Loved One’s Life

Millions of people are marking a passage of time “since.” A year since a global event led up to the death of their loved one. A week/month(s) / year since they saw, hugged, or were in the physical presence of family and friends.
read more»

Living with Layers of Loss

The magnitude of human life lost to COVID and other causes over this past year can make these missed/lost events seem somehow insignificant or not worthy of our grief. These significant events are not often named or recognized by ourselves or society as grief events.
read more»

One Year of COVID-19: Reflecting on Grief and Loss

Where have we witnessed resilience this year? Grief is not an either/or experience; it is an “and” experience. Meaning, we can experience intense uncomfortable pain “and” find moments of joy.
read more»

Helping Kids and Teens Manage Difficult Images and Emotions

Just like most of us, children and teens are also experiencing a prolonged grief and trauma event. 2020 asked our children to adjust to new experiences with an ever changing narrative of what was safe and what wasn’t.
read more»

Camper applications for Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC will be available on May 1, 2021. Click here for details.

Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC is a free bereavement camp for youth who are grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. While the pandemic continues, children and teens ages 6 to 17 attend a one-day, outdoor, camp-like experience that combines grief education and emotional support with fun, traditional camp activities. Led by bereavement professionals and caring volunteers, campers are provided a safe environment to explore their grief, learn essential coping skills, and make friends with peers who are also grieving. The camp is not designed as a replacement for therapy but as an enjoyable opportunity to explore grief where a child’s self-expression is heard, valued and honored.