Pastoral Psychology: Dying, Death and Bereavement

About the Course:

First and foremost, this course is about living. At the heart of living is closeness, intimacy, and connection. Death has a way of intensifying and disturbing how people navigate the complexities found in human relatedness.

This time of concentrated study is also about how people respond to life altering circumstances. At its core this time of study will focus on how people live with the many realities that surround dying, death, and bereavement.

Our course of inquiry and exploration will begin at the point of terminal or life-threatening diagnosis, or a prognosis in which death is a very real possibility. A companion during this study will be the changing face of grief. As we progress, we will take time to touch on other emotional states such as anxiety, anger, and guilt. We will explore the nature of physical and emotional pain and its relationship to suffering.

This time of concentrated study would be remiss if we did not turn our attention to the matter of Medical Assistance in Dying or MAiD. Bill C – 7 and its subsequent amendments has changed the face of dying in Canada. The most recent changes came into effect in March of 2021. Finally, and perhaps most importantly we, as people of the spirit, and without apology, will take a deep dive into a myriad of complex issues raised by the spectre of death. The key to this pilgrimage will be found in our capacity to move as closely as possible to each dimension of dying, death, and bereavement.

This course is a part of CASC’s Specialization Certificate/Credential in Palliative Care. CASC members can enroll in the course in two ways. If the member would like to use the course as an academic credit they are invited to contact the Registrar at Atlantic School of Theology, [email protected]. For those who do not wish to take it for credit, can register through Eventbrite, in this case the fee is $600.

Dates: January 8 - April 2, 2025.

Days & Times: Wednesday, 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Fee: $600

Format: Online Synchronous

Please note: This Continuing Education program is non-credit, meaning it cannot be counted toward a degree or diploma, and will not be transcripted. Continuing Education registrations are refundable until 48 hours before a program commences, minus the Eventbrite processing fee. After that time, fees are non-refundable.

Questions? Please contact: Lydia Hood, Continuing Education Coordinator,([email protected]).

Host or Publisher Atlantic School of Theology