Bereavement Support

Take advantage of professional support.

You never completely get over the loss of a loved one. Sometimes, you feel the need to open up to others, but, out of modesty, shyness, fear of making them feel badly, you close yourself off in your solitude. Yet talking and expressing your sorrow can help you get through the stages of grief.

 

Art therapy

Based on certain principles of psychology and visual arts, this approach promotes self-expression through the creation of images. Everyone can reconnect with their creative process in order to explore and better understand their emotions to face the death of a beloved one. You don't have to be an experienced artist, this formula works for everyone.

Group Art Therapy

The workshops are led by Karine Bouchard, art therapist.
 
Here are the dates and topics of the next workshops:

  • March 19 - Light and shadow, grief transforms us
  • April 16 - Birds haven't closed their wings in our poems
  • May 14 - Sometimes the edge of the heart is cloudy
  • June 18 - The misfortune of having lost him shouldn't make you forget the happiness of having known him.


Time
: 7pm - 9:30pm
Location : Les espaces MEMORIA - 1120 Rue Jean-Talon E, Montréal, QC H2R 1V9
Price : 25$ including supplies - Free for our client families

To register, complete the application form by clicking here.

 Art therapy at home

We've come up with downloadable activities you can do from home. We're now offering home-based workshops in collaboration with our long-time partner, Jean-Marc Péladeau.

Please allow approximately 15 minutes for each session.

DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #1 (French)
DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #2 (French)
DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #3 (French)
DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #4 (French)
DOWNLOAD WORKSHOP #5 (French) 

In this period of confinement imposed on us, it is important we take the time to absorb the new that will emerge from this historical moment. Without being fully aware of it, we are all in a kind of mourning. When everything returns to normal, we will never be the same again. We will, each in his or her own way, have passed from death to life. 

-Jean-Marc Péladeau, art therapist

 

Support for children 

For children, the idea of losing a loved one can be hard to grasp. Under the circumstances, how can they best say goodbye, or show their support for those around them? Here’s where you come in: don't hesitate to discuss what’s happened and encourage them to share their feelings. Maybe making a drawing would express it best, or writing a note to the family.

To help you open a dialogue with your children, we’ve come up with a colouring activity they can do. It’s as simple as choosing a picture they like and letting their creativity run free. Once they’re done, they then take a photo of their picture and share it online with the family. 

Here are a couple of examples

These days, children are under more stress than usual, so it’s important to know there are a number of specialized services that can help them deal with their grief over the phone, including Deuil-Jeunesse and La Maison des Petits Tournesols.

 

Monday meetings

Vivre son deuil

Every Monday, join a virtual group meeting, hosted by Michel Trozzo, psychosocial intervention worker. Share your questions or your grief experience with others. This is an opportunity to take advantage of group support to get through this difficult time.

Meetings are held on site, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 3254, rue Bellechasse (angle St-Michel), in Montreal

Free activity

Sign up at [email protected] or for more informations, call 514-277-7778.
*Seats are limited - Hours may change. 



Psychological Consultations

Healing the soul is the work of specialists. MEMORIA offers its clients complimentary psychological counselling (in French) with two specialists of the soul: Diane Légaré, psychologist, and Michel Trozzo, psychosocial intervention worker. This support service can be spread over six sessions. Whether it is because you simply want some information or to take full advantage of the service, at your own rate, call us right away. You can then decide yourself how many sessions you wish to attend.


Children and bereavement

Les enfants et le deuilIn partnership with the French-language service Deuil jeunesse, MEMORIA offers up to four psychological support sessions for grieving children and adolescents, free of charge. These services are also available for adults who wish to prepare their children for — or accompany them through — the grieving process. To make an appointment, call us at 514-277-7778 or send us an email at [email protected]



Documentation centre on death and bereavement

Centre de référenceOur documentation centre offers a wide choice of books on grief, death, and the loss of a loved one for sale as gifts or for personal use.




Other Resources

 

Yoga Memoria

Take a little time out for yourself during the Yoga MEMORIA sessions. For some, these gentle yoga sessions will be an opportunity to slow down and remember a loved one, to heal, to get back to life and themselves. For others, the sessions will be a way to relieve tension in their body, catch their breath, regain their balance.

The sessions will resume this spring at the Jardin des memories. Subscribe to our newsletter to find out the exact dates.

Sign-up at [email protected]