National Grief and Bereavement Day

The third Tuesday in November marks National Grief and Bereavement Day in Canada.

Grief and bereavement are universal human experiences, yet many people continue to face them without the understanding, support, and resources they need. While these experiences touch individuals, families, workplaces, schools, and communities across Canada, access to grief support remains inconsistent, and conversations about loss are often avoided or misunderstood. 

The 2026 theme, “Shine a Light on Grief Support in Canada,” is a call to bring greater visibility to the realities of grief and the importance of compassionate support. It recognizes that grief is a natural part of life and that everyone deserves access to understanding, connection, support, and appropriate resources when navigating loss. 

At the same time, this theme provides an opportunity to highlight promising practices, celebrate the work of organizations, communities, and individuals who support those who are grieving, and raise public awareness of the vital role grief support plays in individual and community well-being. 

Through Shine a Light on Grief Support in Canada, we call on policymakers, health systems, workplaces, educators, community organizations, and individuals to recognize grief as a significant public health and social issue and to invest in the supports needed to address it. Together, we can reduce stigma, improve understanding, expand access to support services, and build more compassionate communities where no one has to navigate grief alone.

2026 Campaign Kit

Get involved in the 2026 Grief and Bereavement Day campaign by downloading the Campaign Kit. 

Resources include social media graphics, images, posters, virtual meeting backgrounds, email headers, templates, digital badges, and a curated collections of grief and bereavement resources

Get the Kit

Visit Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association's website for more information and resources