Retreats for Honoring Our Grief
GriefWise
What to Expect
Our retreats invite you into an interdisciplinary approach to grieving. Our goal is to acknowledge the ways grief affects mind, body, and heart and to provide you with tools and accompaniment as you explore your grief.
Sessions include small group discussion, restorative yoga, meditation, and time for reflection.
There are also pockets of unstructured time.
Our retreats are hosted at the Saint Benedict's Monastery Spirituality Center in Saint Joseph, Minnesota.
Your Facilitators
AnnElise Bergstrom
MA, Education
Certified in Grief Support
Lauren L. Murphy
MA, Theology
Certified Yoga Teacher
To learn more about AnnElise and Lauren, see About Us.
Nurturing Health and Comfort Schedule
Day 1
5:00 p.m. Arrival
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Opening Session
Day 2
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Physical Health
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Mental Health
3:00 p.m. Free Time
5:00 p.m. Social
5:30 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Emotional Health
Day 3
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Closing Session
11:30 a.m. Departure
Cost
Single Occupancy: $595.00
Double Occupancy: $495.00
Each bedroom has two twin beds, two desks, and a recliner.
Two bedrooms make up a suite, with a shared bathroom and shower. There can be up to four people per suite.
If you choose single occupancy, you will not have a roommate, but you will have at least one suitemate.
If you are interested in attending one of our retreats, please fill out the Pre-Registration Form. We will contact you to discuss where you are in your grieving process to make sure this retreat is a good fit for you at this time. After this visit, full payment reserves your spot.
We have ten openings per retreat.
If you cancel more than two weeks prior to the retreat dates, the fee will be fully refunded. If you cancel within the two-week window before the retreat starts, your fee will be refunded only if we can fill your spot.
Lodging
Each bedroom has two twin beds, two desks, and a recliner.
Two bedrooms make up a suite, with a shared bathroom and shower. Communal spaces include a great room, library, reflection space, dining room, and kitchen. A labyrinth and gazebo are within easy walking distance, and you can also explore the grounds of Saint Benedict's Monastery and the College of Saint Benedict.
Programming
In addition to opening and closing sessions, each retreat has three sessions that examine different elements of grieving. Group discussions, intentional movement, and reflection within each session provide participants with tools to help understand their grief and carry it more comfortably.
Meals
Enjoy homemade meals and baked goods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We will be attentive to any allergies, sensitivities, or restrictions; please share these on the pre-registration form.
Community
Grief can be an isolating experience. Join others who are walking this path—perhaps in different ways or at different stages—to share conversation, tears, laughter, frustration, and wisdom. Each retreat is limited to ten participants so each person can have an opportunity to share and connect in meaningful ways.
What's Included?
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Newsletters from GriefWise are published on Substack.
"Grief is a solitary journey
we cannot do alone."