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What’s a FieldTrip? Virtual FieldTrips
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Beyond "Sorry for your loss": How to Authentically Support Grievers

This event happened on Thu, Jan 29, 2026 • Virtual
Overview 303 Lovely Attendees
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Your Host

Melanie Wilson

Grief Guide & Death Educator at Life and Soul | Death of the Party.

Jersey City, NJ, USA

I’m the founder of Life and Soul where we take a holistic approach to death and grief support after loss. With our services folks no longer have to feel helpless in navigating grief. We help folks to: memorialize with unique funerals and ceremonies, close out estates and legacies, and create personal end-of-life plans. Additionally, we host an event series, Death of the Party, to creatively express grief in community and provide death education.

Outside of the creative grief and death work I do, I: have the amazing opportunity to explore the world with students - Program Leader for educational travel with Atlas Workshops

Holds a Integrative Thanatology Certificate from “The Art of Dying Institute” (February - June 2023)

Strengths: Event management/planning, travel leading, communication, organization, client relationship building, and customer success

Author of “The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Florence” - published May 2019 with Steve Solosky (of The Traveling Professor http://travelingprofessor.com/)

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About this FieldTrip

When someone you care about has shared with you that someone significant in their life has died, how have you responded? Perhaps you’ve said “I’m sorry for your loss, let me know if there’s anything you need…”

We believe (as you do since you’re interested in this workshop) that you can offer the grievers in your life more. This interactive workshop will help you move beyond generic sympathy to create meaningful, lasting connections with those navigating loss.

Through guided discussions, real-world scenarios, and collaborative planning, you’ll leave with actionable strategies you can implement compassionately.

Agenda

  • First we'll talk about shifting your mindset from passive sympathy to active allyship by understanding why standard condolences often fall short.

  • We'll learn to identify the hidden practical needs of a griever by looking past the "Grief Fog" to see where help is actually needed.

  • We'll practice the art of the "specific offer" by drafting actionable messages that take the burden of decision-making off the griever.

  • We'll wrap up with a couple of activities and resources to help you sustain your presence as a grief ally for the long haul.

What to know or bring

  • Your Phone or Digital Calendar: We will be setting actual reminders during the session!

  • An Open Heart: We’ll be talking about heavy things, but with the goal of creating more light and connection.

  • A Name: Think of one person in your life right now who is grieving (or has grieved in the past) whom you’d like to support better.

What to expect

Workshop format!

A hands-on session where participants get to build, craft, or create something tangible.

It will be recorded!

The recording will be shared within 24 hours in the follow up email for a 4-day window, and available at the top of this page. Make sure to register for access!

Learn more about FieldTrips

Screen shot 2019 12 17 at 1.44.02 pm
Your Host

Melanie Wilson

Grief Guide & Death Educator at Life and Soul | Death of the Party.

Jersey City, NJ, USA
View profile

About Melanie Wilson

I’m the founder of Life and Soul where we take a holistic approach to death and grief support after loss. With our services folks no longer have to feel helpless in navigating grief. We help folks to: memorialize with unique funerals and ceremonies, close out estates and legacies, and create personal end-of-life plans. Additionally, we host an event series, Death of the Party, to creatively express grief in community and provide death education.

Outside of the creative grief and death work I do, I: have the amazing opportunity to explore the world with students - Program Leader for educational travel with Atlas Workshops

Holds a Integrative Thanatology Certificate from “The Art of Dying Institute” (February - June 2023)

Strengths: Event management/planning, travel leading, communication, organization, client relationship building, and customer success

Author of “The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Florence” - published May 2019 with Steve Solosky (of The Traveling Professor http://travelingprofessor.com/)

Attendees

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How to make the most of FieldTrips

The FieldTrips experience is defined not only by what the host has to share, but also by how we show up individually and collectively. The way we show up impacts our capacity to be moved, inspired, and activated.

Show up fully

Get ready to be immersed! Engage with smiles, nods, waves, emojis. Share in the chat. Get cozy. Turn off notifications. Sip your favorite beverage.

Stay curious

Wear your beginner’s hat. Go with the flow. Welcome the stumbles and fumbles. Congratulate yourself for trying. Keep going! 

Celebrate your host

Our hosts are members of the CreativeMornings community—just like you! Everyone comes to this with different backgrounds—a lot of our hosts have never done anything like this before! And we love that! Cheer them on when something goes awry and when it goes perfectly.

Support each other

We’re all figuring things out in real time. Celebrate, rather than critique emerging ideas. Cheer each other on as you try new things.  Try “Yes! And…” in conversation.

Not vibing?

It’s 100% okay when a FieldTrip does not resonate with you. Pop out quietly and try another experience later. Fill out the survey with your feedback (no dms to host or chat commentary, please.)