Grief Retreat - Suicide Bereavement
About this Event
Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust and Grief Australia warmly invite you to a unique Grief Retreat focused on bereavement following the suicide of a significant other.
Date: Saturday 12 September 2026
Proceedings: Arrival and check-in from 9.00am.
Grief Retreat: 9.30am - 3.30pm.
Cost: $60.00.
Age appropriate: Due to the nature of the sessions, we ask that no children attend the Retreat.
Enquiries: call 0428 213 776, or email [email protected]
Registrations close: 4 September 2026
What to expect:
Grief Retreat is a dedicated day for people who are navigating grief and loss. This September we are offering a specialised retreat focused on suicide bereavement. The retreat provides a gentle and supportive space to pause, reflect, and explore your grief alongside others who may share similar experiences.
Resources and emotional support will be available from Grief Australia professionals for anyone who may need extra care.
Following the official welcome, you will be invited to attend the following workshops:
- Understanding Grief After Suicide
- Making Space for Guilt and "What Ifs"
- Sound Bowl Meditation
- Creating Together
Friendly and lovable wellbeing dogs from The Unconditional Love Foundation will welcome you at registration and will be available for pats during the morning.
Presenters
Eszter Cowle
BSc, MSc, Grad Dip Couns, Cert IV BereavSupport; Grad Cert NT & CW (Narrative therapy and Community Work)
Eszter Cowle has taken counselling on as a second career, following a 25-year career as a hospital scientist. Eszter began her transitioning to a new career in 2015 after volunteering with Lifeline as a telephone crisis supporter. Since this time Eszter has completed study in Counselling, Bereavement Support, and Narrative therapy and Community Support. Eszter has volunteered with NALAG (National Association for Loss and Grief), Griefline and has worked at Lifeline, 1800 Respect, Standby and now feels very fortunate to be working with Grief Australia as a Specialist Bereavement Practitioner and Clinical Educator. Eszter’s special area of interest includes supporting people bereaved and spirituality; supporting those bereaved through suicide, and educating people about grief & loss, and death. Eszter is volunteering on an oncology day ward; and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs. Eszter currently holds the position of Specialist Grief Practitioner and Clinical Educator at Grief Australia.
Hayley Russell
MBA, MA SoSc (Health Services- Counselling), Grad Cert (Bereavement Counselling Intervention), Churchill Fellowship Award Recipient, 2022
Hayley Russell is a passionate and committed clinician and researcher, working largely in areas which have traditionally held a level of stigma including death and dying and grief and loss. Over the last ten years her career has involved highly specialised clinical work alongside research collaborations which truly make a difference in the lives of bereaved and cancer impacted Australians. Hayley holds clinical membership with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia and has presented research at several Australian conferences as well chairing a symposium and presenting data at the International Psycho-Oncology Symposium Conference on multiple occasions. Hayley currently holds the position of Specialist Grief Practitioner at Grief Australia.
AGENDA
SESSION DETAILS
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Registration
🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:50 AM
Welcome
Host: Jillian West, proud Bunurong woman
Info: We begin with a Welcome to Country, followed by an acknowledgement of the lived experience in the room, recognising that everyone carries their own story of loss. An optional Pebble Honouring Ritual invites participants to write the name of the person who died on a small pebble.
🕑: 09:50 AM - 10:35 AM
Understanding Grief After Suicide
Info: A supported session exploring how grief and loss can feel different after a suicide and explore gentle ways to be compassionate with yourself.
🕑: 10:35 AM - 10:50 AM
Self-Care Pause
Info: A short break with options like stretching, fresh air, quiet journalling, or the craft table.
🕑: 10:50 AM - 11:35 AM
Making Space for Guilt and "What Ifs"
Host: Eszter Cowle
Info: A space to explore feelings like guilt, shame, or “what if” thoughts and to be reminded that however you're grieving, shared by many, and nothing to carry in silence.
🕑: 11:35 PM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
Sound Bowl Meditation
Host: Melissa King
Info: A beautiful calming session of relaxing sound vibrations using quartz crystal bowls. Singing bowls
produce soothing sounds that invoke a state of deep relaxation which aid in reducing
stress and to enhance self-care.
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:30 PM
Self-Care Pause
Info: A short break with options like stretching, fresh air, quiet journalling, or the craft table.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Creating Together
Host: Hayley Russell
Info: A group activity where participants co-create a shared piece of art, recognising their person and the connection felt within the group. Joining in is entirely optional.
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Closing Circle
Info: A quiet close to the day, with tea and coffee available as we say goodbye.
The Unconditional Love Foundation
Info: Wellbeing dogs from The Unconditional Love Foundation will be in attendance during the early part of the Retreat.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
AUD 60.00
