When my husband died almost 20 years ago, my daughters were only 7 and 9. The younger one had a more difficult time processing her grief and the changes to our family routines. A guidance counselor gave me a brochure for a free camp that was open only to children suffering from the loss of a family member. I showed it to my daughter and read the blurbs about the cabins, lake and nature. She hesitated, then quickly asked, “You want to send me to a camp for sad kids?”
At that time, I wondered if they had a camp for sad moms. Now, I see there are more getaways for the grieving.
Losing a loved one is one of life’s hardest experiences, and for older adults, the grief journey can feel particularly isolating. As they face the loss of spouses, close friends or family members, finding support can be difficult.
Grief retreats can provide a dedicated, healing space for people to process their emotions and begin to move forward with the help of professional guidance and peer support. These retreats offer a chance to gather in a safe, understanding environment with others who are going through similar experiences. Sharing stories and emotions in this setting can help reduce the isolation often felt during grief, creating bonds that can last beyond the retreat.
A typical retreat for older adults includes therapeutic activities to help process grief, such as journaling, art therapy, gentle movement, guided meditation and nature walks. For many older adults, engaging in these activities can be a powerful way to release pent-up feelings that might be hard to express through words alone.
Professional grief counselors or therapists typically lead these retreats, offering support, guidance and coping techniques specifically tailored to older adults. This expertise helps ensure that the retreat is a structured, safe space where healing can take place at a comfortable pace.
Grief retreats can be weekend getaways to longer, more immersive experiences. For those with mobility challenges or limited time, online grief retreats are also an option.
Here are a few options to start with, if you’re interested in a grief retreat:
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health: Known for its holistic approach, Kripalu offers grief retreats focused on healing through yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
The Grief Recovery Institute: This organization offers grief recovery programs and retreats designed to help individuals process loss and build a healthier, more fulfilling life afterward.
Center for Loss and Bereavement: Specializing in workshops and retreats, this center provides tailored grief support for individuals dealing with specific loss situations.
Pepper Evans works as an independent-living consultant, helping older adults age in place. She is the empty-nest mother of two adult daughters and has extensive personal and professional experience as a caregiver. She has worked as a researcher and editor for authors and filmmakers. She also puts her time and resources to use in the nonprofit sector and serves on the Board of Education in Lawrence Township, NJ.
