Caregiving Grief and Loss
Grief and loss can be difficult for some caregivers. They may experience loss and bereavement in their own way; some will mourn using cultural/social practices while others may have unique ways of grieving as they learn to live with loss.
If you are in crisis and need immediate assistance, please call 911 or reach out to a crisis service in your area.
- Caregivers Share How They Find Hope
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Types of Grief and Loss
Understanding the different types of grief and loss can help you identify your emotions and experiences more clearly[i]. Common types of grief and loss include, but are not limited to:
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- Ambiguous loss
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- Anticipatory loss
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- Disenfranchised loss
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- Normal or Uncomplicated grief
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- Prolonged or Complicated grief
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- Loss of Half of Yourself
To learn more about the various types of grief and loss, please visit:
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- Elizz by SE Health – Types of Grief and Loss
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- Canadian Psychological Association – “Psychology Works Fact Sheets” Grief in Adults
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How can Caregivers Cope with Grief and Loss
After the loss of someone, you may feel like you are living a dreaded life. You may have thought you were prepared, but the pain can often feel unimaginable. How you cope with grief and loss may depend on many factors, such as available support systems, your culture and background or previous grief experiences. Knowing that your feelings are valid in response to a significant loss is essential.
To start coping with grief and loss, Dr. Patrick McGrath, a clinical psychologist and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University and a scientist at the IWK Health Centre, and founder and president of 90Second Caregiver, provides a few coping strategies and tools for caregivers.
- Consider ways to express your feelings of grief, guilt, and fear, such as journaling or talking to someone who is part of your support system, especially when other family members are not grieving in the same way
- Seek support
- Look for groups and organizations that can provide support to caregivers such as online or face-to-face support groups
- Prioritize your own needs
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Re-entering the Workplace after Loss
Returning to work after your care recipient has died or your caregiving role ends can be challenging. Here are some tips to consider as you re-enter your workplace:
- Build a care team for yourself; What do you need right now? Is it a listening ear, someone to help with daily tasks? Medical, mental health, or emotional support? Who in your life can support you with those needs? What professionals do you need to seek out?
- Communicate with your management team and/or human resources regarding what you are comfortable with sharing, how to manage conversations with others at work, your concerns for coming back to work and ideas for mitigating those concerns.
- Learn more about what tools and accommodations are available through your workplace (e.g., Employee Assistance Program, flexible work arrangements, job sharing).
Here are some resources to support you as you re-enter the workplace after a loss:
- Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (Ontario) – Bereavement leave
- Manulife – What is Grief? (includes a section on ‘Make the return to work easier’)
- Workplace Strategies for Mental Health (Canada Life) – Loss and grief, Someone you care about is grieving
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OCO Resources and Supports
- OCO Webinar Library : Webinars for Caregivers
- OCO Peer Support for Caregivers – Connect with other caregivers
- Caregiver Coaching Program
- Palliative and End of Life Care
- OCO Blog:
- Caregiving Grief and Loss Resources
[i] Gillette, H. (2022, December 19). What are the types of grief?. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/health/types-of-grief
