No More Awkward Encounters with People Grieving Losses

No one should grieve alone. But most people don’t know what is helpful to say or do to support someone who is grieving. Even ministry leaders often feel uncomfortable. With 4 simple concepts, anyone aged 9 – 99 can gain confidence to effectively express empathy. We are never more like Jesus than when we comfort the broken hearted. Imagine your church becoming known as “that caring place where no has to grieve alone.”

Fueled by a holy discontent, Shirley left her fund raising career in 2019 to become founder of a grief ministry, CornerBend Ministries. As a grief coach, Shirley’s mission is to help solve this problem: Most people don’t know what is helpful to do or say in support of someone who is grieving.

With her book, “The Little Black Funeral Dress” and the online “Hope Heroes Course”, Shirley’s desire is to equip The Church to be the safest community for people to authentically grieve and experience empathy and hope.

Shirley has been married to her husband, Carey, for 38 years. He is the Pastor of Finance and Operations at Centre St Church. Their married daughter, Chantel, lives in Calgary and their son Jordan lives in Heaven.