Association for Death Education and Counseling

12/27/2025

Have you tuned into All There Is with Anderson Cooper (his podcast about grief and loss)? Highly recommend — if you support grieving people, it’s a gentle entry point into grief literacy…

12/26/2025

: ADEC joins in honoring this time of reflection, culture, and community. For those who are celebrating while holding grief, remembrance, or change, we acknowledge that Kwanzaa can be both grounding and tender. May this season offer space for honoring ancestors, strengthening connections, and nurturing resilience within families and communities.

ADEC is grateful for the voices, wisdom, and dedication of our members and partners who work to foster understanding, dignity, and healing across cultures.

Wishing all who observe Kwanzaa a meaningful and reflective celebration filled with light, purpose, and community.

12/26/2025

: As Christmas arrives, we recognize that this season can hold many meanings. For some, it is filled with joy, connection, and tradition. For others, it may bring reminders of loss, change, or longing. May this season offer moments of peace, gentle reflection, and meaningful connection, whether with others or within yourself.

We extend our gratitude to our members, colleagues, counselors, educators, and supporters who continue to bring care and understanding to conversations about grief, loss, and living fully.

Wishing you comfort, kindness, and hope this Christmas and throughout the season ahead.

12/23/2025

: The Memory Tree by Joanna Rowland (an elementary school teacher) with illustrations by Thea Baker - recommended by ADEC volunteer and FT Kailey Bradley

Grief is hard any time of year, but during the holiday season grief naturally feels heavier and more difficult to navigate. In The Memory Tree, the author describes a child's experience of a recent death. She shares that the holiday lights don't seem to shine as brightly and celebrations don't feel merry. Still, her family find ways to commemorate their lost loved one through the decoration of a special Memory Tree.
This lovely and timely book is a wonderful resource that provides comfort for younger children and grieving families during the holiday season. I appreciated that the tradition described in the book involves entire families, which provides ideas and simple opportunities for sharing memories and stories together.
---
From the ADEC Communications Team: In addition to the Memory Tree, the same author and illustrator also collaborated on The Memory Box book, which offers creative activities around remembering as well as some grief education. Both titles would make lovely gifts.

12/16/2025

- Tonight, the first candle will be lit on menorahs around the world; a symbol of the eternal flame, resilience and the beginning of Hanukkah 2025. ADEC wishes everyone celebrating the Jewish Festival of Lights warmth and connection (and, ideally, some delicious latkes in the coming days).

This time of year can be challenging for those who are grieving ~ we hope that the rituals of Hanukkah help you to find solace in your memories as well as some ease within your community and traditions.

12/14/2025

: Join ADEC in celebrating 50 years! The ADEC annual confernce will be held in Baltimore, Maryland from March 4th to the 7th. Registration is open now!

See what ADEC is like at 50! Deep Roots, Bold Future! Celebrating 1976-2026.

Use this link for more information: https://www.adec.org/page/2026_Conference_Main

12/10/2025

: Two days left to register! Please join ADEC on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 12:30pm ET / 11:30 am CT / 9:30 am PT for the 6th annual virtual Half Day Workshop "Finding Your Place in Bereavement Care: Aligning Your Skills with the Needs of Grievers through a Public Health Lens" featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Robert Neimeyer with plenary presentations from Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy, Dr. Jillian Blueford, and Dr. Kathie Supiano.

This recorded workshop will remain available for 3 years from the date of the live taping.

ADEC is gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary with this Special Half-Day Workshop.

Description:

This interactive workshop will use the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care as a framework to describe the many ways that professionals and community members—including clinicians, educators, researchers, and peer supporters—help meet the needs of grieving individuals and communities. A structured exercise will invite attendees to reflect on their own professional identities and explore the competencies and training needs associated with their current and desired roles.

The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Robert Neimeyer, will open the workshop by introducing an expanded version of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care that outlines how professionals provide support across three levels (Levels 1, 2, and 3). Building on this foundation, the Plenary Speakers will describe their work as leading figures at each level. Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy will present on the role of a Level 1 grief educator and advocate who is tasked with facilitating grief literacy in communities. Dr. Jillian Blueford will present on the role of a Level 2 grief-informed helping professional or peer facilitator who is tasked with offering care to grievers who need additional support. Dr. Kathie Supiano will present on the role of a Level 3 specialized grief professional who is tasked with offering clinical interventions for grievers experiencing mental health challenges. Each speaker will highlight the competencies and training pathways essential to their level of practice.

The workshop will offer an opportunity to engage in dialogue with the keynote and plenary speakers as well as colleagues across the continuum of bereavement care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe an expanded version of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care that considers the unique support needs of different populations.

2. Discuss the role of professionals at each level of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care.

3. Outline competencies and training considerations that are important for professionals to consider at each level of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care.

Purchase this event will give participants access to the recordings.

CE's: 3.5
$199 for Non-Members and $149 for Members
Please use this link: https://adec.mycrowdwisdom.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=18162031

Without CE's $99 for Non-Members and $49 for Members
Please use this link: https://adec.mycrowdwisdom.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=18163713

12/07/2025

: Only a few days lef to register: Please join ADEC on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 12:30pm ET / 11:30 am CT / 9:30 am PT for the 6th annual virtual Half Day Workshop "Finding Your Place in Bereavement Care: Aligning Your Skills with the Needs of Grievers through a Public Health Lens" featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Robert Neimeyer with plenary presentations from Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy, Dr. Jillian Blueford, and Dr. Kathie Supiano.

This recorded workshop will remain available for 3 years from the date of the live taping.

ADEC is gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary with this Special Half-Day Workshop.

Description:

This interactive workshop will use the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care as a framework to describe the many ways that professionals and community members—including clinicians, educators, researchers, and peer supporters—help meet the needs of grieving individuals and communities. A structured exercise will invite attendees to reflect on their own professional identities and explore the competencies and training needs associated with their current and desired roles.

The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Robert Neimeyer, will open the workshop by introducing an expanded version of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care that outlines how professionals provide support across three levels (Levels 1, 2, and 3). Building on this foundation, the Plenary Speakers will describe their work as leading figures at each level. Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy will present on the role of a Level 1 grief educator and advocate who is tasked with facilitating grief literacy in communities. Dr. Jillian Blueford will present on the role of a Level 2 grief-informed helping professional or peer facilitator who is tasked with offering care to grievers who need additional support. Dr. Kathie Supiano will present on the role of a Level 3 specialized grief professional who is tasked with offering clinical interventions for grievers experiencing mental health challenges. Each speaker will highlight the competencies and training pathways essential to their level of practice.

The workshop will offer an opportunity to engage in dialogue with the keynote and plenary speakers as well as colleagues across the continuum of bereavement care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe an expanded version of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care that considers the unique support needs of different populations.

2. Discuss the role of professionals at each level of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care.

3. Outline competencies and training considerations that are important for professionals to consider at each level of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care.

Purchase this event will give participants access to the recordings.

CE's: 3.5
$199 for Non-Members and $149 for Members
Please use this link: https://adec.mycrowdwisdom.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=18162031

Without CE's $99 for Non-Members and $49 for Members
Please use this link: https://adec.mycrowdwisdom.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=18163713

12/06/2025

: Kind Words for Unkind Days ~ A Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Times by Jayne Hardy -- recommended by ADEC volunteer and FT Kailey Bradley

There are so many elements of the grieving process that make it easy for us to be hard on ourselves. We may compare our grief processing to the grief of someone else, then encounter self-judgment and wonder if we're behind or doing it wrong somehow. This book is a gift to anyone, but is especially useful to grieving individuals (IMO). The reminder to be kind to ourselves can be a balm when we are grieving and it is an important part of our healing process.
---
=>> From the ADEC Communications/Social Media Team:
UK author Jayne Hardy's guide book for challenging times and circumstances isn't specifically aimed at grievers, but her warm and wise encouragements and practical advice offer some ease and validation to those navigating life's unwelcome detours as well as major death and non-death losses. Hardy is a mental health and self-care advocate who runs The Blurt Foundation, a British social enterprise for people struggling with depression (of which she has lived experience).
--
"In these dark and weird times, I can't think of a book we need more." -- Lucy Vine, author of HOT MESS

12/02/2025

: Please join ADEC on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 12:30pm ET / 11:30 am CT / 9:30 am PT for the 6th annual virtual Half Day Workshop "Finding Your Place in Bereavement Care: Aligning Your Skills with the Needs of Grievers through a Public Health Lens" featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. Robert Neimeyer with plenary presentations from Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy, Dr. Jillian Blueford, and Dr. Kathie Supiano.

This recorded workshop will remain available for 3 years from the date of the live taping.

ADEC is gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary with this Special Half-Day Workshop.

Description:

This interactive workshop will use the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care as a framework to describe the many ways that professionals and community members—including clinicians, educators, researchers, and peer supporters—help meet the needs of grieving individuals and communities. A structured exercise will invite attendees to reflect on their own professional identities and explore the competencies and training needs associated with their current and desired roles.

The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Robert Neimeyer, will open the workshop by introducing an expanded version of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care that outlines how professionals provide support across three levels (Levels 1, 2, and 3). Building on this foundation, the Plenary Speakers will describe their work as leading figures at each level. Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy will present on the role of a Level 1 grief educator and advocate who is tasked with facilitating grief literacy in communities. Dr. Jillian Blueford will present on the role of a Level 2 grief-informed helping professional or peer facilitator who is tasked with offering care to grievers who need additional support. Dr. Kathie Supiano will present on the role of a Level 3 specialized grief professional who is tasked with offering clinical interventions for grievers experiencing mental health challenges. Each speaker will highlight the competencies and training pathways essential to their level of practice.

The workshop will offer an opportunity to engage in dialogue with the keynote and plenary speakers as well as colleagues across the continuum of bereavement care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe an expanded version of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care that considers the unique support needs of different populations.

2. Discuss the role of professionals at each level of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care.

3. Outline competencies and training considerations that are important for professionals to consider at each level of the Public Health Model of Bereavement Care.

Purchase this event will give participants access to the recordings.

CE's: 3.5
$199 for Non-Members and $149 for Members
Please use this link: https://adec.mycrowdwisdom.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=18162031

Without CE's $99 for Non-Members and $49 for Members
Please use this link: https://adec.mycrowdwisdom.com/diweb/catalog/item?id=18163713

11/27/2025

We wish our ADEC colleagues, friends, followers and everyone celebrating today in America a Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoy a lovely feast and warm connections.

11/18/2025

: Coming up this Friday - an event organized by the ADEC Division of Students and New Professionals (see details below)...

Don't forget to join us for our next journal club this Friday at 3pm ET/12pm PST!

https://tinyurl.com/ADECSANP