Increasingly, travelers are finding catharsis at grief retreats.
Travel can help those grieving break away from their daily lives and give them the space and time to process their emotions. In a 2020 study published in Research on Social Work Practice, researchers found that grief-focused retreats could significantly reduce distress caused by grief; Their findings held true when they followed up with the participants later.
With Condé Nast Traveler publishing “grief-related wellness” as one of the top wellness travel trends of 2024, it’s no surprise that many in the travel industry are turning to retreats for people experiencing grief to become more popular. The trend comes on the heels of the growing selection of niche travel experiences and therapeutic retreats, where wellness is becoming a focal point.
Programs for people facing significant loss and struggling to cope have seen a surge in interest, especially since Google searches for the term “grief retreats near me” increased by about 23 percent over the past year alone. Travel expert Stephanie De Santi-Davis explained to sugar pop“[They] Provide a supportive environment where [people] They can share their experiences, emotions and coping strategies with others who understand the pain.”
Many people book these grief retreats to deal with dark emotions that may be too difficult to handle at home. While some retreats treat grief somewhat broadly, including not only those facing the loss of a loved one but also those grieving the end of a relationship or the loss of a job, other programs are designed to help with the first.
Donor-funded programs like Minnesota’s Camp LIVIN are geared toward grieving family members who died by suicide, while Ohana Oasis offers retreats across the country to address child loss. “The idea is to provide a place where people have permission to feel all the emotions of loss,” licensed counselor Rita A. Schulte told the outlet. “These things can be very cathartic.”
Hosting a grief retreat also opens the opportunity for those who are grieving to learn how other cultures cope with loss and mourn their loved ones. Some programs like Grief Space's Earth Medicine include traditional plant-based medicine like psilocybin, while the Lama Foundation's ecstatic grief retreats are inspired by the rituals of Burkina Faso, including live drumming and chanting, as well as the joint creation of a mourning altar.
“I've had friends who have explored different traditions related to death and grief, and it's really expanded the understanding of grief and provided new perspectives on the grieving process,” De Santi-Davis told the outlet.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, confidentially, on 116 123 (UK & ROI), email. [email protected]or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are in the U.S. and you or someone you know needs mental health support right now, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free and confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
