ICR207: Amy Florian, How to Handle Grief

What is thanatology? Until speaking to my guest on the podcast today, I didn't know either. It's the scientific study of death and the practices associated with it, including the study of the needs of the terminally ill and their families.

Today on the podcast, I talk to Amy Florian; Thanatologist, visionary CEO, author, speaker, coach and teacher. Amy's work shines a light on grief and transition, topics widely overlooked in professional services industries.

Her practical, insightful, and inspirational training is crucial in helping service professionals do the right thing for clients, retain business across generations, and attract new business from less educated competitors.

An acclaimed speaker and expert, she is the author of over 100 articles and the book “No Longer Awkward: Communicating with Clients through the Toughest Times of Life”.

Amy holds a Master’s Degree and is a Fellow in Thanatology - the highest level of certification in the field of grief studies. She taught a graduate class at Loyola University of Chicago for nine years, has worked with over 2,000 grieving people, and consults with firms, corporations, and individuals around the globe.

In this episode we talk about why a death boom is coming and the tools we all need to handle it. I ask Amy about the key issues that people face when they experience the death of someone close to them. This is such an important conversation and it will give you the tools you need to help others, even to help yourself, through the grieving process.

Welcome to How to Handle Grief, with Amy Florian, in episode 207 of Informed Choice Radio.

Some questions I ask:

-What is Thanatology?

-What are some of the key issues that people face when they experience the death of someone close to them?

-Why is it so important then for professionals like financial planners or rather I do to properly understand that process of grief and also transition?

-You mentioned some of the things not to say to people, I guess, some of the trite phrases that we come up with when somebody has experienced the death of a close person or other grieving processes. What are some of the things we should say? What are some the things we should do with somebody that's in that position to support them through the process?

-You said a moment ago that grieving is not just about when people die. It's about any transition or any change in circumstance. Do the skills that you talked about there play equally to supporting people who, for example, being diagnosed with a terminal illness?

Thank you for listening!

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