A Day in the Life of a Grief Coach: What It’s Really Like to Support Others After Loss
What does it really mean to be a grief coach?
Grief coaching is still a relatively new field in the UK, but it’s growing fast—especially as more people seek support that feels human, not clinical. If you’ve ever wondered what the actual day-to-day of a grief coach looks like, this post offers a behind-the-scenes look.
Let’s walk through a day in the life of someone trained to guide others through one of life’s hardest moments.
8:00am – Starting slow, with intention
Grief coaching demands emotional presence, so many coaches begin their day with some form of grounding. That might be a walk, journalling, or reviewing client notes with a cup of tea—anything that helps create space to show up well.
Coaching isn’t about fixing. It’s about being with.
9:30am – First 1-to-1 client session
Most grief coaches work online. A typical session lasts around 50 minutes. This morning’s client might be someone who lost a partner last year and feels “stuck”—not in crisis, but unable to move forward.
As a grief coach, the focus is on:
Listening deeply
Reflecting feelings
Offering practical ways to rebuild life around loss
Rather than analysing the past, coaches hold space for what’s present—and help clients imagine a future that still holds meaning.
11:00am – Designing a group support session
Many grief coaches run small group programmes, either online or in person.
One coach shared:
“I’m planning a 6-week support group based on the STILL Method tools. It’s for people who feel isolated in their grief. Each week has a theme—like safety, memory, or purpose.”
Today’s task? Preparing the worksheet and visual for Week 2: Grief and the Nervous System.
1:00pm – Lunch and rest
Because grief coaching is relational work, burnout is real. Most coaches intentionally schedule rest after emotional sessions. Boundaries and pacing are part of the practice.
2:30pm – Second client session
This client is a 17-year-old navigating the loss of a sibling. The work here is gentler—using creative exercises, metaphors, and coaching language that meets them where they are.
Coaches trained with The STILL Method learn how to adapt tools across age groups and regulate sessions that get emotionally intense.
4:00pm – Admin, CPD and reflection
Afternoons often include:
Following up with clients
Writing notes
Attending supervision or online CPD (continuing professional development)
Because the field of grief coaching is still evolving, many coaches stay plugged in to new ideas, research, and peer support.
Is grief coaching a full-time job?
It can be. But many coaches:
Begin part-time
Blend it with existing work (therapy, education, wellbeing)
Build up gradually as confidence grows
The emotional nature of the work means that even 6–8 client hours per week can be a full week for some coaches.
What matters most is impact, not numbers.
Could this be your path?
If you’ve read this and thought, That sounds like me, then it might be time to explore the idea seriously.
You don’t need to be a therapist.
You don’t need all the answers.
You need presence. Training. And the willingness to walk with someone through their darkest days—without rushing them to the light.
Explore our accredited Grief Coach Training
The STILL Method’s programme is 100% online live or self paced, trauma-informed, and built to give you everything you need to begin your journey as a certified grief coach.
