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In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, Traci Arieli sits down with grief counselor and former funeral director Joe Stinson to explore the deeply personal and complex nature of grieving as a family. With over 50 years of experience in deathcare, Joe shares his knowledge and personal journey following the loss of his grandchild, offering a rare perspective on anticipatory grief, complex family dynamics, and how different grieving styles can either divide or unite us. 

Together, Traci and Joe discuss the realities of what families go through, before, during, and after a death. They discuss how cultural and religious differences impact grief, why silence can be a powerful tool, and what it truly means to support one another when emotions run high. 

Key takeaways include: 

• The concept of complex grief and how unresolved losses resurface 
• Practical tools families can use to open communication during difficult times 
• Why grief isn’t linear, and how to sit with discomfort without judgment 
• How family roles, guilt, and misunderstanding can complicate healing and what to do about it 

Whether you're a caregiver, professional in the field, or someone navigating your own loss, this episode offers validation, clarity, and encouragement. It's a conversation about making room for every kind of grief and the healing that can begin when we truly listen. 

Links/Resources 

• Guest: Joe Stinson – Watch Joe's live show Grief Talk with Joe in the Bus on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JoeintheBus 
• Host: Traci Arieli’s Website – https://www.comfortingclosure.com 
• American Academy of Bereavement – https://www.americanacademyofbereavement.org 

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