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Grief counselors have the hard job of consoling people suffering from grief and the pain of losing a loved one. It is their job to help people understand why a tragic event has occurred. They must be good listeners and be able to help that person through their difficult time. 

There are many skills required to become a successful grief counselor, but before a person can become a grief counselor, they must earn a college degree first. They should also have the ability to earn certification from the American Academy of Grief Counseling (AAGC).

Earning a Degree

A person studying social work, psychology, counseling or social services in college can work towards becoming a grief counselor. After a person has obtained their Bachelor's degree, they may continue their education into a Master's program to gain more knowledge and expertise in their field. This can help them to get a job as a counselor.

There are grief counselors who are licensed and those that are not. In order to become licensed, applicants should contact their state to find out what requirements are needed. Non licensed counselors can work as hospice volunteers, in funeral homes or as religious leaders.

Earning Certification

The American Academy of Grief Counseling has a certification program for grief counselors. It is voluntary, but can help increase salary or show qualification as a grief counselor. Some employers look for this certification before hiring their employees. Applicants must be a registered nurse currently licensed to practice nursing, a licensed social worker, a health care licensed professional, a professional counselor, a licensed psychologist, an ordained minister, a licensed funeral director, a pastoral counselor in active ministry, a licensed physician or a school counselor.

Applicants can apply if they have a graduate degree in educational counseling or have a college degree in human services, psychology, or human behavior. Once a person is certified, they may enter a specialty field through the AAGC.

Grief support groups are comprised of people who gather together to deal with loss. These groups meet regularly and provide a space where members share personal stories and compassion with each other. Grief support groups may be general or designed to address specific issues, such as the loss of a child, parent or spouse.

Grief support groups meet face-to-face or online. Face-to-face groups hold meetings at churches, community rooms, hospitals and mental health agencies. The meetings are facilitated by licensed therapists or group members who have gone through the grief process and have some formal training. Members talk about their feelings and support each other through direct interaction. Online grief support groups involve people interacting on forums and chat rooms on the Internet. Some groups have an established schedule and communicate in real time, while others post their thoughts whenever time allows.

Grief support groups offer the social connection individuals need to feel less isolated and helpless. Grief support groups provide a sense of normalcy and a venue for people to discuss their feelings with others who are coping with similar circumstances. Many people who attend support meetings find the experience cathartic, or emotionally cleansing.

Grief support groups also help members identify unhealthful behaviors that crop up during stressful times, such as alcoholism, excessive smoking and depression. Leaders can pose questions that help members explore the root of problems. Members come away with a new perspective and the coping skills necessary to manage their grief. For instance, many people blame themselves for their loss. The act of sharing stories helps people realize they are not at fault.

Individuals deal with grief differently. Mourning the loss of a family member, friend, home or job is personal. It usually takes place in five stages and includes feelings of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Grief support groups empower people with the skills necessary to navigate these complex feelings.

One of the greatest gifts, we humans share is our ability to become attached to one another, to develop social, emotional and spiritual connections to loved ones. Attachment to others expands our sense of self. We feel that our lives are deepened through meaningful interactions with those we love. Intimacy offers us a feeling of gain, of added enrichment to our lives.

When someone we care about dies, we experience loss. Grief is the reaction to loss. Connections with family and friends can help ease that sense of loss, reminding us that other attachments remain. We may be grieving, we may be experiencing great pain and sorrow, but we have not lost everything.

The role of family and friends in the grieving process is to provide support to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Support may be physical, emotional, social or spiritual. Physical support can be expressed by simplifying the day-to-day demands and responsibilities of the person in grief. Covering a shift at work, helping with housework or delivering a home-cooked meal are examples of physical support.

Friends and family can provide emotional support by expressions of love and caring, and need not be overly concerned about knowing the correct thing to say. Words cannot erase loss. Simply being there to listen can provide effective emotional support. Since the grieving process is influenced by how the one grieving views death, sometimes spiritual words of comfort can help a loved one cope with loss.

When support from family and friends does not seem to be enough, encouraging those affected by the grieving process to seek professional help or to join a support group may help. Those who experience the death of a loved one can benefit from talking to others who have shared the same experience. While extended periods of sadness are common during the grieving process, health professionals can ascertain whether additional supports are required.