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

What is Grief Support?

Grief support, as practiced at Rites of Passage, is the practice of presence and compassion in the face of loss. In a grief support session, we hold space for loss, engage questions as they arise, explore doubts and fears, and ponder the nature of life and death. As we engage with the experience of grief, it is natural for emotions to surface. All emotions are welcome. Whether you come to grief support with a particular religious or faith perspective, or not, we recognize that your experience of grief is unique and yours alone.

“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

Sessions can be scheduled monthly or weekly. Sessions often begin with a time of silence and meditation followed by open conversation utilizing the evocative approach. (Learn more about the evocative approach here.)

Sessions are usually held on Zoom or FaceTime. If sitting in front of a computer is not your thing, and you are local to Burlington, Vermont, we can talk about possible in-person options, including walking sessions on the Burlington Bike Path.

Our fees are based on a self-selecting sliding scale of $35-$55 per session.

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

“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

E-mail us today to find out more or schedule a free 30-minute introductory call.

“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