In October, Cochranites who are grieving are invited to join a 13 week program that will offer support, community, and an opportunity to share.

Pastor Larry Charter of the Cochrane Alliance Church says 'Grief Share' is designed to help attendees progress through the various stages and components of grief after losing a spouse, child, family member, or friend.

"It is a 13 week video course which pulls in around 70 different experts in the area of  grief. Some of these come from the clergy, others are psychologists/ psychiatrists, and then there is a whole mixture of people themselves who have worked through grief and are speaking from their own life experiences and to how they dealt with it."

The course will also include a discussion time where participants can talk about questions that come up. One area that Pastor Charter has noticed come up often in discussions is how not to get stuck living in denial.

"Instead of embracing their grief and getting help to work through some of the issues they are finding it more comfortable to just sit there in a static kind of position. Rather than saying I now want to move on, I still have life ahead of me, so help me get unstuck."

Charter adds it also provides an opportunity to teach people that their feelings are normal and validated.

This is the second time the program has run in Cochrane with the first bringing out 22 attendees, of the 22, most echoed the opportunity to connect with others was a huge benefit.

"Even though the videos were helpful the actual face to face contact with others going through this process was the most helpful."

While Grief Share is a faith based program, the program is open to absolutely anyone.

"We welcome people as people, we have no hidden agendas. We offer it to the community because we care about those hurting with the issues of grief."

If you would like more information or to register for the program you can do so here or call Pastor Charter at 403-932-6100.

The Grief Share journey starts up on October 6, from 7- 9 pm, at Bow Valley Baptist Church.