Welcome to theMid-America Transplant Services Center for Life

Grief Companion® Training

Life! The most precious thing there is. We give Life when we conceive and bear a child. We enhance and uplift it when we make someone smile. We improve its quality and time-span when we donate blood, organs and tissues to those in need. Life is one thing we have in common with all that is.

You are extraordinary, as is the loved one whose physical absence you are now living with—he or she because of the life-giving gift to others—you because of the life-enhancing gifts you give to yourself and family in your grief journey, and now to others by choosing to become a Grief Companion. It takes a very special person to provide this service for others.

Many donor family members request to talk with a Grief Companion. The MTS Center for Life is committed to making this available to them.

Please Note:

During this online training experience, the MTS Center for Life staff is available to support you. For example, should reading one of the articles bring up personal feelings or thoughts which you would like to discuss, we would be privileged to listen to you. Please contact Merry Smith directly at 314-735-8283 or 800-925-3666.

The objectives of the Grief Companion Training Program are:

  1. To equip Grief Companions with the knowledge, skills and assistance to provide this remarkable support for every donor family member who requests it, and
  2. To make it as easy as possible for the Companion to participate in the training by putting much of the training online, thereby reducing the time commitment for in-person training to one day.

Structure of the Grief Companion Training Program

The training is set up as 2 phases:

  1. Phase 1 is completed online. It is designed to provide you with information about:
  2. The role and qualities of a Grief Companion,
  3. The grief and mourning process that we humans experience at the loss of a loved one, and
  4. How to be with your Partner in a Companioning situation. You will be introduced to the concepts of Skillful Listening.

Note: You must complete Phase 1 before attending Phase 2.

  • Phase 2 is the one-day workshop in which you will be facilitated in the Grief Companion process by a MTS Center for Lifestaff member. You will cover much of the same information as in Phase 1, but in more depth and with interactive exercises and interpersonal support. There may be additional topics and information covered. Information about how to contact your assigned partner and begin the companioning process and other procedures.

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