Grief Retreat – Grieving Together

The Grief Retreat is a special day dedicated to those who are grieving a loved one. This event includes a range of activities and experiences catered to support you and help you in gaining a greater understanding of your grief. 

Resources and in-person support will be available from specialist bereavement support services. You will have the opportunity to take part in wellbeing activities which will nurture and help you, remember loved ones, connect with others with shared experience and access support resources.

What to expect:

Date: Saturday, 26 July 2025

Time: 9:00am - 5:30pm (arrival and check-in from 8:30am)

Address: Third Drive, Springvale Botanical Cemetery, 600 Princes Hwy, Springvale, VIC 3171 (a reminder email will be sent closer to the date, outlining details of parking, maps and venue locations)

Cost: $60.00 (4 facilitated sessions, resources, support from our valued partners, and catering for morning tea, lunch, and afternoon social gathering included)

After the official welcome, you will be invited to attend the following workshops:

• Call of the Dreaming
• Legacy and Loss: Carrying Their Light Forward
• Is My Grief Normal? 
• Grief in Words: A Creative Workshop for Expression and Connection

A garden activity is planned for the Remembrance Garden and there will be the opportunity to connect with others with similar experiences if you would like. 

Additional emotional support will be available on the day for those who may need extra care. 

Presenters 

Jillian West is a proud Bunurong woman from Point Nepean and Palawa from the islands of Bass Strait with a lengthy career supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in work, education and their life journey. 

Alex Hamilton is the CEO of TCFV. Alex has over 10-years experience working with bereaved families in the not-for-profit space.  Alex has travelled nationally and internationally, speaking to audiences to passionately share her own story of courage, resilience and hope, as a bereaved mum herself.

Candice Mace is a psychologist, speaker, and grief educator at Griefline.. With formal education, research and a deeply personal connection to grief and loss, Candice brings both professional expertise and heartfelt authenticity to her work.

Jude Chrisan is the Sibling Support Coordinator at TCFV. Jude believes in the power of shared stories and strives to create safe spaces where others can express their grief without judgement. 

Leah Munnery, Pippin & Scout from the Unconditional Love Foundation bring people and animals together, believing both can experience the immense joy and compassion this connection brings.

Partner organisations

Bookings are essential and numbers are limited. 

Register nowExternal site

For more information, call 0428 213 776, or email care@smct.org.au