Supporting Teams in Mourning

Guide Teams through Bereavement and Crisis

Colleagues are in a strange position after the death of a team member. On the one hand, many were probably not close enough to the deceased to feel bereaved. On the other hand, the colleague is obviously missed: Their place in the team remains empty, just like their desk. At the same time, tasks often have to be redistributed and completed.

People react similarly when a team member has to cope with a serious loss: sympathy and shock as well as questions such as: When will the bereaved individual return to work? How resilient is he or she? And how should I deal with him or her?

As a manager, you want them to act on that? Good. 

During our coaching, we discuss how you can support your team in this situation.

Alternatively, I can organize a roundtable discussion or farewell ceremony for the team.

The goal: to offer employees orientation in a case of loss.

Supporting employees who have experienced bereavement in the team means

• to give space to job-specific aspects of grief,
• clarify organizational and team-related issues,
• allow colleagues to say goodbye.
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