Loss, Grief and Bereavement Issues in Pastoral Ministry Contexts (DP2004Y)

Content

This unit examines the more common loss-related events and some key theoretical approaches with regard to loss, grief and bereavement. Loss and grief contexts considered here include: family related loss, assault and domestic violence; abuse; discrimination; complicated grief; loss in educational contexts; unemployment and financial loss; natural, and human disasters; asylum-seeking, and refugees. It includes pastoral, spiritual, and theological considerations in addressing loss, grief and transition experience, and examines ethical and boundary issues in pastoral contexts. It also considers collaborative, resilience-based approaches in the context of providing holistic care for those impacted by loss, grief and bereavement experiences.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Elective unit in Pastoral Ministry discipline
Prerequisites: DP1001Y/8001Y Foundations for Pastoral Practice, or an equivalent.

Pedagogy

Face to Face or online: lecture, group work

Indicative Bibliography

set texts recommended for purchase = *

• Attig, Thomas. How we grieve. Relearning the World. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
• Brownell, Philip. Spiritual Competency in Psychotherapy. New York: Springer Publishing Company, 2014.
• Earle, Sarah, Komaromy, Carol and Bartholomew, Caroline (Eds.). Death and Dying: A Reader/Making Sense of Death, Dying and Bereavement: An Anthology. London: Sage Publications, 2009.
• Giddings, Philip, Down, Martin, Sugden, Elaine, and Tuckwell, Gareth. Talking about dying. Help in facing death and dying. London: Wilberforce Publications, 2017. *
• Kelley, Melissa M. Grief: Contemporary Theory and the Practice of Ministry. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2010.
• Machin, Linda. Working with Loss and Grief: A Theoretical and Practical Approach. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2013. *
• Mallon, Brenda. Dying, Death and Grief: Working with Adult Bereavement. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2008.
• Musgrave, Beverley A., and McGettigan, Neil (Eds.) Spiritual and psychological aspects of illness: Dealing with sickness, loss, dying and death. New York, Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2010.
• Nolan, Steve. Spiritual care at the end of life: The Chaplain as ‘hopeful presence’. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2012.*
• Read, Sue. Supporting People with Intellectual Disabilities Experiencing Loss and Bereavement: Theory and Compassionate Practice. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2014.

Assessment