THE GRIEF INSTITUTE
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FINDING SUPPORT IN YOUR GRIEF JOURNEY...
The Grief Institute is dedicated to supporting those navigating both anticipatory grief—the emotions that arise before an expected loss—and the grief that follows, offering a compassionate space for healing, understanding, and growth. We know that grief can occur from the loss of loved ones, however grief can also arise from many types of significant loss. This can include relationship endings, divorce, job loss, life transitions, grieving past versions of yourself, empty nest syndrome, and more. At the Grief Institute, we support you in working through grief for any type of loss you may be facing. Founded with a deep passion for helping those who are grieving, The Grief Institute recognizes that grief can often feel isolating and misunderstood. In a society that struggles to talk about loss, we aim to change the conversation—normalizing grief as a natural response. Through our workbooks, classes, and online programs, we offer tools and guidance to help individuals navigate their emotions with greater acceptance, easing feelings of overwhelm and loneliness as well as a community to connect with who are on a similar journey. At The Grief Institute, we believe that grief, when acknowledged and embraced, can be a transformative part of life’s journey.
OUR SERVICES
Grief Better Understood: An Online Program for Health Care Professionals
NEXT START DATE: SEPTEMBER 2025
Work through our 10-week online program for health care professionals to learn how to better help your clients with grief and loss.​ Weekly LIVE group calls to learn the Grief Institute's frameworks.
HI, I'M MARIDA
FOUNDER OF THE GRIEF INSTITUTE,
Certified Grief Educator, Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher
At The Grief Institute, I specialize in guiding those working through grief and loss, helping you process your emotions and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and wholeness.
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With over 30 years of experience as a nurse, I transitioned from hospital care to private practice, focusing exclusively on grief and loss. As a Certified Grief Educator, trained by David Kessler, I take a holistic, mind-body approach to support and educate.
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I am a compassionate grief educator who guides individuals through the complexities of loss with insight and kindness. With an understanding of grief’s many forms, I offer gentle support, education, and tools to help people navigate their unique journeys. I strive to provide a safe space for healing, honoring each person’s experience with warmth and care.
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Beyond working with individuals, The Grief Institute mentors and coaches therapists and health care professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to better understand grief and form deeper, more meaningful connections with those they serve.
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Grief is a natural part of life—not something to be feared or “overcome,” but rather an experience we can learn to carry with grace and meaning. With the right support, healing is possible.
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Welcome to The Grief Institute, where we walk alongside you through every phase of the grief journey.
Marida Etherington
Prioritize Self-Compassion
Give yourself permission to feel your emotions without guilt or pressure. Treat yourself with the kindness and understanding you would offer a friend in the same situation.
Honor the Present Moment
While anticipatory grief often pulls us into the future, focusing on the present can help. Practice mindfulness to focus on the time you have now, whether it’s with a loved one or reflecting on your journey.
Small Moments of JOY
Look for moments of beauty, even in difficult times...a sunrise, a kind word, or a comforting memory can remind you that hope exists.
Be with your grief
Be yourself
Be with others
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Grief & Hope
We can hold both grief and hope—these emotions, though seemingly contradictory, often coexist in profound ways.
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Grief acknowledges the depth of our loss and the love we have for what is gone, while hope reminds us that healing, growth, and meaning are still possible.
