African American Faith-Based Bereavement Initiative: Curriculum
The African American Faith-Based Bereavement Initiative (AAFBBI) is a specialized training resource designed to help African American Christian faith communities better support families who have experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or infant death. Recognizing that African American families are disproportionately affected by these losses yet less likely to access traditional bereavement resources, this initiative provides clergy and congregations with an eight-module educational program covering topics such as understanding grief, recognizing community needs, providing appropriate pastoral care, and knowing when to refer families for additional professional support. The resource addresses the unique role that faith communities play in healing while acknowledging the intense pain and potential mental health consequences these losses can cause, ultimately aiming to transform churches into more embracing and knowledgeable sources of comfort for grieving families.