Bereavement in the Workplace Grief touches everyone at some point in their lives, yet talking about loss in the workplace can be incredibly difficult. Many people are unsure of what to say or worry about saying the wrong thing, often resulting in silence that can leave grieving colleagues feeling isolated and unsupported. Legal Island’s Bereavement in the Workplace eLearning course is designed to help staff understand the impact of bereavement, recognise the signs of grief, and respond with compassion and sensitivity. The course promotes a culture where colleagues can acknowledge loss, support one another, and maintain a caring and inclusive work environment. Tailored for the Northern Ireland workplace, this training offers practical strategies for managers and team members alike, including guidance on what to say, how to listen, and where to direct colleagues for additional support. Learners are encouraged to engage at their own pace, take breaks if needed, and reach out to trusted contacts if they are affected by the course content.
Overview

Supporting Grief in the Workplace

Bereavement is a deeply personal experience that can profoundly affect an individual’s emotional wellbeing, performance, and relationships at work. Despite its universality, grief remains one of the most difficult subjects to talk about in the workplace, often leaving those who are grieving feeling isolated, unsupported, or unsure where to turn.

Creating a compassionate and understanding work environment starts with awareness. Colleagues and managers alike play a vital role in recognising when someone may be struggling with loss, responding with sensitivity, and offering appropriate support. When workplaces acknowledge bereavement openly, it helps reduce discomfort around the topic, promotes a culture of empathy, and encourages meaningful connection.

This eLearning course, Bereavement Awareness in the Workplace, is designed to equip staff with the knowledge and confidence to better understand grief, support colleagues through bereavement, and contribute to a culture where no one feels forgotten during one of life’s most difficult times. Tailored for the Northern Ireland workplace, the course provides respectful guidance, practical strategies, and signposting to further help, supporting safer, kinder workplaces where wellbeing is prioritised.

What's Included

What is Included in our Bereavement Training?

Legal Island’s Bereavement in the Workplace eLearning course provides essential knowledge to help employees understand the emotional and practical impacts of bereavement in a professional setting. It empowers staff to support grieving colleagues with empathy, sensitivity, and confidence, helping to create a workplace culture where loss is acknowledged and people feel cared for during difficult times.

This all-staff training promotes compassion, reduces the discomfort often associated with grief, and reinforces your organisation’s commitment to employee wellbeing. Developed by workplace wellbeing specialists and tailored to the Northern Ireland context, the course offers clear, practical guidance for navigating bereavement at work in a respectful and inclusive way.

Topics covered include:  
•    The impact of bereavement
•    How to support your colleagues:  
o    When bereavement happens
o    When your colleague returns to work
o    When a colleague dies
o    When a baby dies
o    When a colleague is bereaved by suicide
 

Should you have a particular need to brand or tailor any of our courses to your specific requirements, that is no problem at all. We offer a full bespoke service in-house. If you have any questions or queries, please feel free to contact our eLearning Sales Manager, Debbie Wilson – debbie@legal-island.com

Importance of Training

Why Bereavement Training is Essential in Northern Ireland?

Bereavement is a universal human experience, yet it remains one of the most difficult topics to talk about, especially in the workplace. When grief is not acknowledged or supported, employees can feel isolated, misunderstood, and disconnected. This not only affects individual wellbeing but can also have a wider impact on team morale, communication, and workplace culture.

Providing bereavement awareness training sends a clear message - your organisation values compassion, inclusion, and emotional support. It helps employees understand the varied and personal ways people experience grief and offers practical guidance on how to respond with empathy and respect when a colleague suffers a loss.

This training encourages open conversations around bereavement and builds confidence to offer support in thoughtful, appropriate ways. It helps reduce discomfort and silence around grief, creating an environment where no one feels alone in their sorrow.

By investing in bereavement awareness, your organisation is strengthening its culture of care. It promotes psychological safety, emotional literacy, and human connection at work. With the right training in place, staff are better equipped to support one another, maintain respectful communication, and foster a workplace where wellbeing and dignity are always prioritised.

Who is it for?

Who needs Bereavement in the Workplace training?  

This course is valuable for employees at all levels who want to better understand bereavement and how to support colleagues through loss with sensitivity, compassion, and confidence. Whether offering comfort, navigating workplace conversations, or responding to the practical impact of grief, all staff can benefit from greater awareness of how bereavement affects individuals in the workplace.

The training is especially important for managers, team leaders, HR professionals, and those with responsibility for employee wellbeing. These individuals are often the first point of contact for a grieving colleague and play a pivotal role in shaping how loss is acknowledged and supported within teams.

Tailored specifically for the Northern Ireland workplace, this course helps organisations build a more empathetic, inclusive culture where bereavement is not a taboo subject. With the right knowledge and guidance, every employee can contribute to a workplace that supports people through life’s most difficult moments, ensuring no one feels overlooked or alone in their grief.

Course Duration

How long does our Bereavement Training Take?

This course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, including an assessment. It is self-paced, allowing employees to stop and resume as needed, making it easy to fit into busy schedules. Upon successful completion, each staff member will receive a personalised certificate for their records. 

Key Statistics

Why learn with Legal Island?

We take huge pride in the training we deliver across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Our key statistics show:

97%

of users said they found the courses beneficial for their organisation

96%

of users said they found the courses convenient and easy to use

96%

of users said their knowledge of the compliance topic area improved

96%

of users said they would recommend our eLearning courses to other organisations

750,000+

hours of training and course content delivered

200,000+

employees across the island of Ireland have now benefited from our services

FAQs

Got a question about our Bereavement in the Workplace Training?

Chances are at this stage you have a couple questions. If you can’t find your answer below, we encourage you to ask questions directly and you can call us anytime.

Who should participate in bereavement training?
What is the duration of this bereavement course for employees in Northern Ireland?
When should bereavement in the workplace training be provided to all staff?
Can this course be customised?
How much does this all-staff training cost?
Is the training content tailored specifically to Northern Irish legislation and guidance?
How is the training delivered?
Is this course instructor-led or self-paced?
How can I purchase an eLearning course for my staff and get them set up?
I have a workforce across different areas of the UK and Ireland, can you provide training for all of them?
Are certificates provided at the end of the course?
Can I monitor staff activity and completion rates?
What are the benefits of Legal Island’s eLearning training for your organisation?
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