Welcome to Curating Grief
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Why Curate Grief?
Curating Grief is a creative, accessible way to explore grief and loss, through the objects — and the stories attached to them. Grief coach Charlene Lam explains how.
What does it mean to “Curate” Grief?
Curating is Choosing with Intention.
1. After the death of a loved one or a significant loss, we are often faced with difficult choices. What to keep. Who gets what. What to say or do.
When we’re faced with these situations, we can use curating as a beautiful lens for making these choices.
2. As grieving people, we are facing circumstances outside of our control. Death, loss, illness. It can be very empowering to see the choices that we do have. To see what we do have control over.
3. Everyone can curate. Whether you have physical items or not. Whether your loss is recent or years ago.
You are likely already curating. You are choosing what takes up space in your life every day. Physical space and emotional space.
Let’s choose with intention. Let’s Curate Grief.
hi!
I’m Charlene
After my mother died suddenly in 2013, I found myself drowning in grief … and her belongings.
It’s a common problem: Feeling overwhelmed, stuck and unable to move forward after the death of a loved one. My uncommon solution: Curating an exhibition about my mother!
Now I help other people with their grief and experiences of loss, using the lens of curating.
As curator of The Grief Gallery™, I present international exhibitions featuring the belongings of loved ones lost.
As a certified grief coach, I use my Curating Grief framework to help grieving individuals navigate loss in a creative, accessible way.
(And you don’t need to be an artist or creative, or to even have any physical objects, to curate!)
Olá!
Attended TEDxLisboa?
Jump over to my TEDxLisboa resource page for bonus content and ways to stay connected!
Grief Support
Free Grief Gathering
Join us for The Grief Gallery's free monthly grief gathering, on Zoom the last Wednesday of every month at 2pm ET.
Curating Grief - The Book!
My first book Curating Grief: A Creative Guide to Choosing What to Keep After a Loved One Dies is now available in paperback and as an eBook!
Grief Resources
Visit my grief coaching site CharleneLam.com for grief resources, and learn more about how I support individuals, groups and communities.
Work With Me
Book Me To Speak
I love speaking about grief, from death-related loss to life's many transitions.
Visit my Speaker Page, book a call, or contact me at hello@charlenelam.com to learn more.
Commission an Installation of The Grief Gallery
Would you like to host or commission The Grief Gallery for your event or community?
Email me at hello@charlenelam.com
or book a call to discuss your idea.
WHY OBJECTS?
Meaningful Objects and Grief
The belongings and physical objects can teach us a lot about grief — and be a starting point for healing and connection.
THE FILM
Curating Grief: Loss and Objects
A short film about Curating Grief by London-based filmmkaer Jamie Max Lee, shot on location in Lisbon.
HOW IT STARTED
Curating Grief: How to Choose What to Keep
Struggling with choosing what to keep after a loved one dies? In my signature talk, I share the origin story behind The Grief Gallery and some key Curating Grief concepts.
Grief Events
I love speaking about grief, from death-related loss to life's many transitions. Visit my Speaker Page or contact me at hello@charlenelam.com to learn more.
Monthly Grief Gathering
Join The Grief Gallery's free monthly grief gathering, on Zoom the last Wednesday of every month at 2pm ET
Next gathering: Wed April 30th
Guilt & Regret Workshop
Guilt and regret are such common emotions amongst grievers -- and some of the most painful.
Join me for a live 90min workshop on Zoom. Next date to be confirmed; sign up for the newsletter for updates.
Meet me in ...
Did you know I offer 1:1 coaching and private retreats in-person? You are welcome to come to Lisbon, Portugal where I'm based. Plus these options:
NYC and the Berkshires - Jan 2025
Grief Camp at Kripalu, Jan 12-17
Mexico - Feb 2025
Nayarit Riviera (by Puerto Vallarta)
NYC, March 2025
Contact me at hello[at]charlenelam.com to inquire
Charlene Lam
I help grieving people to feel lighter and less burdened after losing a loved one, using the lens of curating and the tools of coaching.
hello@charlenelam.com
New York, NY | Lisbon, Portugal
hello@charlenelam.com
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