Small gatherings among friends

Les Petites Veuvries with friends.

This is a space for women who have experienced early widowhood to share their stories. 

To discuss the ups and downs, doubts, and difficulties, but also to share joys and reflect on the progress made.

Organize an annual event or day centered on this theme. Could this potentially be organized in collaboration with an association or the BLF for a day dedicated to families who have lost a family member or single-parent families following a death or separation?

Overview:

Les Petites Veuveries were launched in France in 2021 thanks to Happy End Life. 

These meetings take place approximately every 6 weeks via video conference, each focusing on a specific theme.

At present, the topic of death remains taboo, as does that of widows who have lost their spouses at a young age. 

However, 71,000 survivor’s pensions are paid out, benefiting 207,116 people. We believe it is important to make these terms more accessible to the public, particularly by organizing forums for discussion.

That’s why we’re now organizing “les petites veuveries” in French-speaking Switzerland.

History:

We met during a training session, and collaborating on a project about death seemed like a natural fit.
We both approach the topic from different yet complementary perspectives.

Fanny felt it deep in her bones. After her husband’s illness and death, Fanny found herself alone with four young children.

Widowed at a young age, she then provided daily care for her four orphaned children.

Being a single woman or a widow is complicated, particularly because professionals are not always informed or comfortable discussing death.

And then, it’s about tending to one’s own grief while supporting one’s children through theirs—with the pain of knowing they’ve been permanently cut off from one of their roots. It means losing yet another bit of carefree innocence, since you’re “the only survivor.”

Drawing on her life experience and the training she has completed, she created “Au-delà du deuil,” a personalized grief support program.

She brings her experience and expertise in coaching and positive psychology to the platform and has since been training in grief counseling and support for orphans.

It advocates for greater awareness and recognition of the needs of orphans and the adults who support them.

https://linkr.bio/fannyneuffer

Vanessa is an end-of-life doula (thanadoula). Upon request, she supports and assists people with life-threatening illnesses or who are at the end of life, as well as caregivers and those who are grieving. Her role, which is non-medical, is more that of a companion who can offer practical advice, moral and spiritual support, as well as a presence and a listening ear marked by empathy, compassion, non-judgment, and kindness. Helping the person regain confidence and reclaim their sense of agency are essential elements of her practice.

It also provides support through individual consultations or group activities for those who wish to share or explore their thoughts and concerns regarding end-of-life issues, death, and grief. End-of-life planning while still alive, for example, is one of the services it offers. Consultations are available at her office, at home, in a care facility, at a workplace, or remotely.

Vanessa is the founder of the association Doulas de Fin de Vie Suisse, a member of the board of the Society for Thanatological Studies, and has been volunteering in palliative care since 2018.

Vanessa’s website: www.douladefindevie.ch

On this journey of grief as young widows, there is so much to share and process. That is why, in addition to therapists and grief counselors, we felt it was important to offer a support group

. “Alone, we go faster; together, we go further.” ” African proverb

See the attached document for the budget and timeline.