Healing Through Art: A Journey with Park Memorial's Grief Support Events

February 21, 2025

Embracing Grief, Finding Connection

Grief is a journey that knows no bounds, touching everyone in deeply personal ways. Understanding this, Park Memorial launched a unique series of monthly events in January 2018, aimed at providing a safe space for those navigating the pain and sorrow of loss. These events, which focus on grief expression through art therapy and informal conversation, have grown to become a cornerstone of support for our community.

The inception of this initiative was serendipitous. Our first event, ‘Express Your Heart Through Art Day’, coincided with Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 31, 2018. This perfect alignment inspired us to brand this event series Art for the Grieving Heart, a community event integrating artistic expression and grief support. We partnered with two wonderful organizations, Box Social Events and The Art of Cake, setting the stage for a meaningful journey of healing.

The art project at our February 2025 event was creating beautiful dot mandalas on paperback journal books. Our focus was on 'repeating simple tasks with care' not only in the art project, but also as an approach to the overwhelming road of grief.

Deanne Ferguson of Box Social led our inaugural session, guiding guests through the creation of their own terrariums. Each terrarium was a unique blend of thoughtful pieces and mementos, personalized with messages and memories. This crafting session was more than just an art project; it was an intimate experience that allowed each participant to channel their grief into something tangible and beautiful.


From the very beginning, our events have been about meeting people where they are in their grief journey. We provide a safe and practical space where guests can sit together, share their experiences, and simply be with others who understand their pain. Each event has fostered connections among individuals united by a common experience, despite the unique nature of each person's loss.

As the months progressed, these intimate gatherings continued to flourish, with an increasing number of attendees each month. We have now welcomed over 200 individual guests to these monthly events! We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of local grief experts who generously give their time to facilitate the informal conversations that follow each art session. These discussions often center on self-care, daily challenges, and the ways grief impacts our lives. The comfort and understanding shared in these conversations have been invaluable to all who attend.

"The art projects allow me to gently access the pain of my grief"   ~Doris, Event Guest

The pandemic brought a temporary halt to our gatherings, but we have since resumed our monthly events with a couple of changes. Our new location in our Park Memorial reception centre provides a welcoming environment, and Alexandra, our talented staff member, now leads our art projects as Deanne and her family relocated during the pandemic.


Alexandra's ability to create art projects that resonate with the journey of grief is truly remarkable. Her personal passion for using crafting to support her own grief journey shines through in every aspect of her art facilitation, from ensuring that we have a regular guest's favourite colours for every project that she creates (pink and purple remind him of his daughter who passed away) to ensuring that every detail and piece of her instruction is thought out completely.


The Art of Cake continues to delight us with their exquisite sweet treats, maintaining their long-standing partnership and support.

Park Memorial's grief support events are more than just a gathering; they are a beacon of hope and healing. By embracing the power of art and community, we are able to offer solace and connection to those who need it most. We invite you to join us and witness the transformative power of shared grief and creative expression.


Click here to access our coming events page and follow the upcoming dates for Art for the Grieving Heart and our other grief support events.

By Park Memorial March 25, 2025
Being named the executor for a loved one is both an honour and a significant responsibility. As you step into this role, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed by the myriad of tasks and decisions that lie ahead. While the process can be complex and time-consuming, it is essential to approach it with warmth, empathy, and unwavering professionalism.
By Park Memorial March 21, 2025
At the heart of our daily operations lies a deep-rooted pride in being a Canadian family-owned and operated business. While other funeral homes in Canada are owned by US corporations, we are proud of our Canadian heritage.
By Mike Cameron November 5, 2024
What does it mean for a man to grieve “Correctly?” Better question… “Who gets to decide what “correctly” looks like for you? According to grief experts like Dr. Alan Wolfelt, there is no one-size-fits-all model of grief. All of our journeys are unique. And while I know this to be true, the reality is that most men I have spoken to feel a lot of pressure about how they are supposed to grieve.
By Park Memorial September 10, 2024
Attention Edmonton community! The Canadian Mental Health Association - Edmonton Region is pleased to announce the relaunch of its impactful Youth Suicide Grief Support Program, starting tomorrow! This vital program is designed to support youth aged 12-25 and their families/caregivers who have experienced a loss due to suicide.
By Park Memorial August 29, 2024
When a child is diagnosed with a critical illness or suffers a critical injury, their family’s life shatters into pieces. Parents and siblings are catapulted into new terminology, clinical discussions, hospitals, treatments, huge changes, and fear along with the child in care. Families who receive ongoing care for their child or children at the Stollery Children’s Hospital know this too well.
By Park Memorial August 2, 2024
Park Memorial recently added Aftercare Specialist Sarah Kucharski to our team of funeral professionals. Her role is to make the aftercare process of completing forms and applications, and closing a loved one’s estate a little easier; she walks beside each of our families to assist with these tasks after the funeral. She comes to us with almost 20 years of experience as a Licensed Preneed and Aftercare Specialist. Park Memorial is a full-service funeral home, therefore Sarah’s care is included in our professional services to each family that we care for.
By Park Memorial August 2, 2024
A will is a legal document that reflects your end-of-life wishes and values, and it can provide peace of mind and clarity for yourself and your loved ones. Having a will is important because it allows you to decide who will be charged with managing your estate (your executor), such as overseeing your liabilities, who may take care of minor children and who will inherit your assets.
By Park Memorial May 17, 2024
As the sun sets on our incredible event last Friday, we find ourselves reflecting on the profound journey of self-discovery and empowerment that was The Strength Within: Balancing Life, Loss & Chaos. Over the course of the day, we witnessed remarkable transformations, forged deep connections, and witnessed the extraordinary power of resilience in action.
By Park Memorial March 29, 2024
Aspen Service Dogs is dedicated to training and providing service dogs to individuals facing various challenges, including those coping with PTSD, autism, and more. With a mission rooted in compassion and empathy, Aspen Service Dogs aims to enhance the quality of life for their clients by offering the invaluable support and companionship of a professionally trained service dog.
March 29, 2024
The Edmonton Food Bank operates from a sprawling 30,000 square foot warehouse, a testament to their scale and impact. Since their inception, the demand for their services has surged exponentially. In 2022, they assisted an average of 30,000 people per month, a number that rose to 34,000 in 2023, solely through the distribution of individual hampers. Over the past decade, the need for their services has doubled and a half, highlighting the critical role they play in our community's welfare.
Show More
Renovations in progress at Park Memorial Edmonton - Click here to learn more.
×
Share by: