Irish Hospice Foundation Applications Open: Arts & Culture — Bereavement & Grief Training Course

Irish Hospice Foundation is delighted to announce applications are now open for our Arts and Culture — Bereavement and Grief training course commencing October 2025. This part-time blended course, running over two full weekends and four mid-week evenings, explores the many roles of arts and culture in contemporary dying, grief, and bereavement.

Irish Hospice Foundation developed the Arts and Culture – Bereavement and Grief course in association with staff from Helium Arts, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI), LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, St Francis Hospice, Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (ICAT), SoloSirens, and Réalta (the national arts and health development agency). It is designed to raise awareness and understanding, while providing an introduction to basic skills.

Who is this course suitable for?

Applications are invited from professionals and volunteers in the arts, culture, or health sectors who support, or are interested in supporting, people of all ages experiencing dying, death, grief, and loss. We seek a diverse range of expertise and experience as this enriches the learning experience for all.

Our last course attracted practitioners and researchers involved in oncology, perinatal loss, psychology, primary schools, social work, and acute hospital management, along with creatives involved in dance, music, movement, and literature.

Places are limited to 14 people to facilitate experience, exploration and discussion. The course fee is €500. Given the level of interest and number of applicants, selection is competitive.

“There was space to learn, to converse, and to consider the many points of view that arise for artists, care workers, families of those near end of life or experiencing grief. The sessions were open enough to allow opinion and to get to know one another, and structured enough to feel complete and walk away with new knowledge and understanding.” – Past course participant

Learn More and Apply

Applications are now open for the course running 25th October to 9th November 2025.

The application deadline is 17th September 2025 at 5:00pm. Notification of places will be on or before 26th September 2025.

To learn more about the course and to apply, visit the course webpage: Training Course: Arts and Culture – Bereavement and Grief.

Questions?

If you have a query regarding the Arts and Culture – Bereavement and Grief training course, please email: [email protected].