The Bereavement Journey® began 30 years ago at Holy Trinity, Brompton, and has proven very effective over the years in helping bereaved adults in all circumstances to navigate their loss. AtaLoss extended and published the programme for churches in September 2023, in a newly prescribed and packaged form. Since then, it has seen extraordinary growth, mostly by word of mouth, to over 400 locations across the UK.
Recently, we commissioned an analysis of the feedback from the first 162 programmes, which covered 22 denominations. Statistical analysis was compiled by Dr Becky Ward, Youthrive Research Consultancy.
We believe the results show that The Bereavement Journey has an important and unique contribution to make to the Church’s mission.
Even though most of the courses were new, and most leaders focus at first on supporting their own congregations, the report confirms the following impact:
- The Bereavement Journey is helping bereaved adults from all age groups, gender and ethnic identity.
- 89% of Course Leaders report Participants attending were not previously connected to a church.
- Across all courses, as many as 39% of Participants have no previous connection with a church.
- At least 80% of Participants are choosing to attend the optional final Session on faith, with generally 95% of all age groups finding it helpful.
- Overall, at least 66% of those not connected with church are choosing to attend the Session on faith.
- And 90% of course leaders say that some or all of their Participants are interested in keeping in touch afterwards, and in attending other church activities.
- In addition, Participants are described as coming to faith, deepening their faith, being baptised or confirmed.
We’re delighted that The Bereavement Journey has been recently recognised by an early day motion in Parliament and that GPs, Social Prescribers, Funeral Directors etc are regularly directing bereaved people to churches for help through The Bereavement Journey courses.
To access the full report, click here.