Baycrest - End of Life Volunteer Manual
28
PERSONAL HISTORY OF LOSSES
To understand another's feelings following the loss of a loved one,
volunteers should look at their own history of losses. Reflecting on
your own life can help to make you more effective in your own
work as a volunteer.
1. First death
The first death I can remember was the death of: ________________
I was age: _________________________________________________
The feelings I remember having were: __________________________
__________________________________________________________
2. Funeral
The first funeral I attended was for: ___________________________
I was age:__________________________________________________
The thing I most remember about that experience was: ___________
__________________________________________________________
3. Recent death
My most recent death was (person, time, circumstance): __________
I coped with this death by: ___________________________________
__________________________________________________________
4. Difficult death
The most difficult death for me was the death of: _______________
It was difficult because:______________________________________
__________________________________________________________
5. Coping
My primary style of coping with loss is: ________________________
I know my own grief is resolved when: ________________________
Reflecting on all of the above, I sense that palliative care
volunteering will be: ________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
