At Rites of Passage, we offer confidential, one-on-one grief companionship through the lens of spiritual direction. (Learn more about Kristabeth’s approach to spiritual direction here.)

How is your grief showing up in your body, your spirit, or your days?

Accepting new clients.

“Grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure for grief is to grieve.“

~ Rabbi Earl Grollman, Longing for Motherhood

What is Grief Companionship?

Grief companionship, as offered at Rites of Passage, is the practice of presence and compassion in the face of loss. Truth-telling in a safe space where emotions are accepted can help those who grieve feel less alone. Grief can come about from the loss of a loved one, the loss of a relationship, the loss of health, the loss of a dream of what we thought life would be… any experience of loss.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to speak the truth of your loss?

In a grief companionship session, we hold space for loss, engage deep listening, embrace vulnerability, and seek to connect with the sacred within and around us. As we engage with the experience of grief, it is natural for emotions to surface. All emotions are welcome. Whether you come with a particular religious or spiritual perspective, or not, Kristabeth recognizes that your experience of grief is unique and yours alone.

“I am deeply appreciative of Kristabeth’s ability to hold space while I have been grieving the loss of my mother. Her gentle presence has allowed me to feel witnessed during a very challenging time and uncertain period. The poems she has shared have offered much solace and comfort during this time.” 

– Elizabeth, Grief Companionship Client

Sessions are 60 minutes and can be scheduled weekly, monthly, or as needed. Virtual sessions are held on Zoom. If sitting in front of a computer is not your thing, in-person options include meeting at the Rites of Passage office or walking together on the Burlington Bike Path.

Kristabeth opens sessions with candle lighting, poetry, and silence.

The fee for a grief companionship session is $75. (A sliding scale starting at $45 is available upon request and accommodation can be made for those who find the cost prohibitive.)

People of all spiritual and secular worldviews and gender and sexual identities are welcome.

Where do you sense your heart asking for companionship, comfort, or clarity?

If you’re curious about beginning, you’re welcome to schedule a 45-minute discernment session. It’s a gentle way to experience the space and sense whether this kind of support feels right for you.

E-mail us today or schedule a 45-minute discernment session to begin.

“We bereaved are not alone. We belong to the largest company in all the world —  the company of those who have known suffering.“

~ Helen Keller

Grief Support Circles

In addition to offering one-on-one support, Kristabeth offers grief circles for families, teams, groups, or organizations that need support in processing loss. Grief circles are customized to the group and circumstances and often include ritual and sharing. Acknowledging grief in community in a safe and supportive way can be an important step toward incorporating the loss into one’s life story. Grief circles are a safe space where all emotions are welcome.

E-mail us today to find out more about our grief circles.

“When I rise up/let me rise up joyful/like a bird. When I fall/let me fall without regret/like a leaf.”

~ Wendell Berry