About MyGrief.ca

MyGrief.ca is an online resource to help people move through their grief from the comfort of their own home, at their own pace. It can help you understand your grief and approach some of the most difficult questions that may arise. It was developed by people who have experienced the death of someone important to them and grief specialists. It complements existing community resources and helps address barriers to grief services. Many people working in healthcare use it as an education tool. It is also used by grief support groups and educators. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer funded the vision and the original nine modules. Health Canada has funded the latest series of modules.

This site is not a substitute for professional counseling or other health services.

The following individuals contributed to the development of modules one through nine. Individuals and partners that contributed to the development of a topic specific module are listed in the summary at the end of each module.

Development Team

Fred Nelson, MSW (co-Team Lead – MyGrief.ca)
Clinical Team 
Canadian Virtual Hospice

Eunice Gorman, RN, BSW, MSW, PhD, RSW (co-Team Lead – MyGrief.ca)
Associate Professor, 
Department of Interdisciplinary Programs (Thanatology)
King's University College at Western University

Christopher James Mackinnon, Ph.D., O.P.Q.
Faculty Lecturer, Department of Oncology, McGill University
Psychologist, Palliative Care Unit, McGill University Health Center
Private Practice: Centre professionnel et médical Monkland

Daniel Beaudette 
Psychologist
Centre Renaissance
Winnipeg (Manitoba)

Réjean Carrier M. Ps.
Social Worker
House Michel Sarazin
Québec (Québec)

Charlotte Hébert
Psychologue
Winnipeg (Manitoba)

Joanne Leblanc-Chiasson
Nurse Consultant
Nurses Association of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick

Dre Marie-Josée Nadeau
Hospice Palliative Care Team
Georges-L Dumont Hospital
Moncton, New Brunswick

Gérald Nickner T.S., M. Serv. soc.
Social worker and psychotherapist
Maison Michel Sarazin
Québec (Québec)

Sophie Ramer
Professional Nurse
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Winnipeg (Manitoba)

Dre Mireille Lecours
Palliative Care Medicine Consultant
Charlottetown, (IP-E))

Bev Berg, MSW, RSW, CT
Manager Advanced Care Planning / Goals of Care
Grief Support Program AHS Calgary Zone

Janet Devine
Bereavement Support Specialist
Bereavement Resource Council of Niagara

Marlene Jackson, MEd, CCC, MTA
Bereavement Coordinator
Greystone Bereavement Centre


Nadine Gariepy-Fisk, MA, PGDipPT, CPT
Director, Programs & Services
Hospice Calgary

Susan Cadell, PhD
Professor & Director, School of Social Work
Renison University College, University of Waterloo

Marney Thompson, MA
Bereavement Coordinator
Victoria Hospice


Shelly Cory, MA
Executive Director 
Canadian Virtual Hospice

National Advisory Committee

Brent Schacter MD, FRCPC
CancerCare Manitoba, Manitoba

Carolyn Tayler RN, MSA CON
Fraser Health, British Columbia

Deb Bulych BA, B. Admin, BSW
Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatchewan

Joan L. Bottorff PhD, RN, FCAHS, FAAN
Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology

Elder Betty McKenna
First Nations University, Saskatchewan

Kali Leary BSc, BMT
CancerCare Manitoba, Manitoba

Karen Courtney BA, BSN, MSN, PhD
University of Victoria, British Columbia

Keith Wilson PhD, CPsyh
The Ottawa Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, Ontario

Laurie Anne O'Brien RN BN CHPCN
Newfoundland

Lori Embleton
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Manitoba

Lorraine Dacombe Dewar
Manitoba Health, Healthy Living & Seniors, Manitoba

Mary Lou Kelley MSW, PhD
Lakehead University, Ontario

Phillipa Martee
Baker
Lake, Nunavut

Pierre Gagnon MD, FRCPC
Laval University, Quebec

Serge Dumont PhD
Laval University, Quebec

Vivian Collacutt BCS (Ed.), MSW, RSW
Alberta Health Services, Alberta



Expert Reviewers

Darcy Harris PhD, FT 
Associate Professor/Thanatology Coordinator
King’s University College at Western University


Andrea Warnick, RN, MA
Clinical Team 
Canadian Virtual Hospice
Andrea Warnick Consulting

Harvey Max Chochinov, OM, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FRSC
Chair Canadian Virtual Hospice
Director of the Manitoba Palliative Care Research Institute

Robert Neimeyer PhD
Department of Psychology
University of Memphis

Family Advisors

Sylvie Lalande, Ontario

Pam King, Manitoba

Kim Grant, Manitoba

Elder Betty McKenna, Saskatchewan

Tanny Nadon, Alberta

Jim Mulcahy, Nova Scotia

Serena Hickes, Nunavut/Manitoba

Jacquie Dorge, Manitoba

Claire Dansereau, Ontario

MEET THE STORY TELLERS