Lessons of Loss
A Lifespan Curriculum on Death, Dying, and Loss for the UU Community

By Carol Galginaitis

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Theme and Description

In this multi-age curriculum, congregations are invited to come to terms with loss, change, and grief. Recognizing that our culture is not comfortable with these topics, and that religious communities are places for people to find comfort and healing, this resource helps educate for these issues. This four-session curriculum is intended to be offered each year at each age level (primary, elementary, middle school, high school, and adult).

Goals for Participants

The learning goals will differ with the different age groups:
To better understand death and the grieving process;
To develop a common language of loss;
To develop skills and confidence to help oneself and others through the grieving process;
To understand how UU Principles can help;
To understand the role of the religious community;
To understand how loss offers opportunities for growth.

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Age Range

Five age levels: grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, and adult.

Size of Group

Flexible, but small enough for discussion and sharing

Space Requirements

Space for small group and large group activities

Number and Length of Sessions

4 session per year, 3 years per age level, therefore, 12 sessions per age group
Length: 75 minutes, including a worship component

Leader Training

Course materials include a plan for a teacher training session to be led by the congregation's MRE/DRE. Given the nature of the topic, teachers should experience this preparation before teaching.

Leader Preparation

Preparation varies with age groups, but because the topic is sensitive, the lesson plans are varied, and the sessions include a worship component, preparation time and commitment are above average.

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Strengths

Includes list of suggested outside resources focused on books for parents and teachers, books for children, and general resources;
Addresses an important and difficult subject in age-appropriate ways;
Builds community in a congregation and applies UU beliefs and Principles to life issues;
Provides orientation for both teachers and parents;
Includes detailed, creative lesson plans for each age level, allowing the curriculum to be offered yearly without repetition of activities;
Provides an opportunity for the entire congregation to address the same theme at the same time.

Limitations

The suggested method of using the curriculum (four weeks each year, each age level using the curriculum at the same time) might not work with the religious education calendars of all congregations.

Adaptability

Suggests several ways of adapting the course to fit the needs of congregations for whom the suggested “4 weeks per year” scheme will not work.

Unitarian Universalist Values

Explicitly invites application of the Unitarian Universalist Principles (included in both original and children’s language) to questions of death, dying, and loss.

Reviewed on June 30, 1996

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100