Grief, Loss, Dying and Death (SC8004Z)

Postgraduate, 12.0 points

Content

This unit will enable participants to explore grief, loss, dying and death across the life-cycle. Students will engage with evidence-based research concerning effective spiritual care for people experiencing different forms of grief, loss and death. The unit will cover the following topics:

  1. Grief, loss, dying and death across the lifecycle
  2. Skills, qualities and capabilities required for spiritual care of people dealing with grief, loss or when dying.
  3. Spiritual care practices for people experiencing grief, loss, dying or death.
  4. Critical self-reflection

Unit code: SC8004Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 12.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Foundational

Unit discipline: Spiritual Care

Proposing College: Uniting College for Leadership and Theology

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically examine the concepts of grief, loss and death across the lifecycle
2.

Exhibit the skills, qualities and capabilities required for spiritual care practitioners when caring for people dealing with grief, loss or when dying
3.

Evaluate evidence-based practice concerning spiritual care for people experiencing grief, loss or death.
4.

Implement critical self-reflection to guide own formation as a spiritual care practitioner.

Pedagogy

Reading and reflection, group interactive discussion, case studies, role-play

Indicative Bibliography

  • Starr, Mirabai. Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation. Sounds True, 2019.
  • Weller, Francis. The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief. North Atlantic Boks, 2015.
  • Wilcock, Penelope. Spiritual Care of Dying and Bereaved People. BRF, 2013.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Portfolio 2200 100.0
Summative Reflection 800 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 25 Jun, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-06-25 09:34:46 +1000