Complimentary Program: "Family Matters: The Impact of Change, Loss & Grief on the Family"

The majority of significant losses throughout our lives occur within the family units.  Every person who dies was someone's parent, sibling, child or other relative.  Families are typically a primary source of social support during our lives.  However, in order for support to be effective, the need for such support must be acknowledged, readily available and perceived as helpful by those receiving it.  This does not always go smoothly in families.  They dynamics between family members can serve to help or hinder each member's experiences of grief and the healing process.  The presentation will explore how and why "family matters" when dealing with change and loss.

Presenter Edward J. Holland served as the Coordinator of Spiritual Care and Grief Support for Park Nicollet Methodist Hospice in Minneapolis, a program he'd been with since 1977.  Ed is a United Methodist Minister, a board certified chaplain, a certified Gestalt therapist and a state licensed marriage and family therapist.