‘Speaking Grief’ Wants To Normalize Grieving

BREWSTER – A documentary centered on the universal experience of grief is coming to the Brewster Ladies’ Library. 

Nancy Sorbo, a grief coach and educator, and Maureen Keane-Bottino, a grief counselor and educator, will be facilitating a screening of “Speaking Grief,” a documentary produced by WPSU (a central Pennsylvania affiliate of NPR and PBS licensed to Pennsylvania State University).

The documentary started as a public media initiative aimed at creating more awareness of grief in society by validating the experience of grievers. The story follows a diverse cast of people experiencing grief through candid interviews so viewers become more comfortable with the idea of sadness. It also explores the transformative experience of losing a family member in a death-and-grief avoidant society.

Producers hope to illustrate that while grief is a universal experience, it also impacts people individually. 

“Moving away from the idea that grief is a problem that needs to be ‘fixed,’ ‘Speaking Grief’ validates the experience of grievers and guides those wishing to support them,” the synopsis says. 

The movie is an hour long and will pause for a 30-minute intermission. The screening will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. and is free of charge. Registration is required at brewsterladieslibrary.org.