Grief Care Checklist

This checklist outlines key steps in providing grief care support. For churches using CareNote, specific features are noted in parentheses to help streamline your care process. If you're not using CareNote, you can still follow this checklist using your preferred care coordination methods.

Initial Intake

Record loss details (In CareNote, use the Update feature)

Document who was lost and circumstances of the loss

Note any immediate needs or concerns expressed by the family

Create a care request if additional support is needed (In CareNote, convert Update to Care Request)

Initial Contact (Within 3 Days)

Make initial contact with family

Assess funeral/memorial service needs and preferences

Identify any additional support required

Set up grief care workflow (In CareNote, apply the grieving workflow template)

Practical Support Coordination

Set up meal coordination (Consider using Meal Train)

Arrange transportation if needed

Coordinate childcare if required

Assign and track volunteer support tasks (In CareNote, use volunteer accounts)

Stephen Ministry's Journeying through Grief Series

A four-book set designed to help people in the first year after a loss

Stephen Ministry's Journeying through Grief is a proven grief ministry tool that provides consistent care through four short books sent at specific, crucial times during the first year after a loss. Each book addresses the experiences and emotions grieving people are likely to encounter at that point in grief. The series helps grieving people know what to expect and assures them that they are cared for and not alone.

Send sympathy card with Book 1 "A Time to Grieve" (Immediately after loss)

Send Book 2 "Experiencing Grief" (3 weeks after loss)

Send Book 3 "Finding Hope and Healing" (3 months after loss)

Send Book 4 "Rebuilding and Remembering" (11 months after loss)

Include personalized care note with each book delivery

Follow-Up Care

Schedule and track monthly check-ins (In CareNote, set recurring tasks)

Document emotional well-being assessments from each contact

Provide counseling and support group resources as needed

Set one-year anniversary remembrance (In CareNote, create milestone)

Notes:

Congregant Name: ______________________________________

Date of Loss: ______________________________________________

Care Team Member: ______________________________________________

Date Started: ______________________________________________

This grief checklist is provided by CareNote, where we transform compassion into action by helping care teams remember every detail, stay coordinated, and ensure no one is overlooked. Our intelligent pastoral care tools have helped over 200 ministries deliver more thoughtful, organized care to their communities. Start ensuring no care need falls through the cracks - try CareNote free today at https://carenote.app/