Bereavement, Ministerial Attitudes, and the Future of Church-Sponsored Bereavement Support Groups

Abstract

Bereavement historically has been a concern of religious organizations, but the recent rise of secular bereavement support groups implies a void in the way churches deal with survivors. A survey of ministers in the Northern California Conference of the United Church of Christ documents the absence of church-sponsored bereavement support groups. It is argued that this absence stems not from a lack of parishioner demand, but from ministers' disinclination, an attitude that appears to arise from bereavement training. Such training is seen to have its result because of the manner in which it reinforces central aspects of the ministerial work role. The future of church-sponsored bereavement support groups is discussed.