Bereavement counselors can - but do not have to - be religious. Bereavement counseling has its origins in pastoral care in the church and is still linked to pastoral work today.

But first and foremost, grief counselors are independent outsiders who offer support during the process of grief, grief, crisis and loss.

The target groups for bereavement counseling training include

• Specialists and employees in end-of-life care, palliative medicine, nursing, care for the elderly
• Social workers, crisis counselors for refugees
• Social pedagogues and social education workers
• Deacons
• Employees and professionals from the funeral and pastoral care sector
• Specialists and managers from schools and youth work

In order to take part in bereavement counseling training or continuing education, further training, you should be self-reliant and mentally resilient. A willingness to deal with your own feelings and experiences, openness towards other beliefs and a willingness to engage with other people and their grief. A minimum age of 25 years is often required.

However, the admission requirements listed here may vary from provider to provider. It is best to contact the provider of your choice directly.

The 5 phases of the grieving process according to the death researcher Elisabeth Kübler-Ross are as follows:

• Repression: Not wanting to admit what has happened
• Anger: Ask yourself the question: Why is this happening to me?
• Negotiating: Negotiating with yourself, God and doctors
• Depression: hopelessness and despondency
• Consent/acceptance: Accept reality.

Grief counseling training qualifies and enables you, among other things, to independently and professionally support, accompany and counsel mourners and their relatives. You will also be able to set up grief counseling projects. You will also be able to recognize trauma and take appropriate measures.

Please note: The learning content of bereavement counseling training is not regulated by federal law and can therefore vary from provider to provider.