After bereavement: how churches can offer light and hope

After bereavement: how churches can offer light and hope

Churches can have a huge role to play in helping grieving people recover.

So says Rev Cassius Francis (pictured below), project co-leader and church trainer with CRE National exhibitors Loss and Hope, a Christian coalition offering resources to help churches support bereaved families.

With many years’ experience ministering to those who have suffered bereavement, Cassius will speak at CRE National (2pm, Wed 12 Oct) on the need for Christians to provide support – and how Loss and Hope can help.

‘Our vision is that no bereaved person in the UK should be unable to find support when they need it,’ he said. ‘The pandemic and subsequent lockdown periods have exacerbated the problems of those facing loss because they have often been unable to be with the dying. Many counselling services and avenues of support are still unable to meet the need.’

The Rev Canon Yvonne Richmond Tulloch, chief executive of Loss and Hope, was a co-founder of the charity. After being suddenly widowed in 2008 she found life went into freefall.

‘I’m convinced that light and hope could come through churches,’ she said. ‘Being present in every community, they are ideally placed to help.’

For many years Loss and Hope have been using the Bereavement Journey, a six-session course with an optional session at the end explaining the Christian faith perspective.

• Loss and Hope are on stand E8 at CRE National 2022

Book your tickets to CRE National 2022 for as little as £3 (£8 on the door)

Our next exhibitions