Grief can begin long before a death—with the first symptoms, a diagnosis, changing abilities, or the loss of familiar roles, routines, and future plans. This presentation offers a compassionate overview of grief from diagnosis and anticipatory grief through caregiving, end-of-life, and bereavement.

Together, we’ll explore the emotional, physical, mental, and social ways grief may appear; consider the five stages as a flexible framework rather than a timeline; and discuss why grief has no set schedule. Participants will gain greater understanding of their own experiences and learn when additional support may be helpful. Most importantly, we’ll reflect on how preparation, compassion, and connection can help us meet loss with less fear and greater understanding.