WHEN GRIEF ENTERS THE WORKPLACE
When grief enters the workplace, most organizations freeze. We don't.
Wayfinder Workplace teaches leaders and teams the skills to lean into the hard conversations - the ones that are easily ignored, resulting in costly outcomes. We bring solutions and tools to build grief-readiness with compassion, clarity, and purpose.
Take action. Your people are worth it.
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Sherry Haycraft created Wayfinder Workplace after experiencing firsthand the impact of how organizations can fail their people during life’s hardest transitions. As a multi-certified End-of-Life Specialist and Grief Educator, Sherry brings robust credentials and lived experience to every engagement.
Her personal journey through trauma and loss serves as the catalyst for her mission. She challenges leaders to dig deeper into uncomfortable conversations - to reimagine a workplace where success is measured by elevated leadership and sustainable employee retention.
Nobody said it was easy - effectively leading a team in harmony with “grit” and "grief wisdom" requires a blend of forward-thinking, emotional depth, and professional integrity. Seeing the critical need for this training, Sherry works with leaders motivated to receive the emotions that affect everyone at some point. To develop a culture that is grief informed & responds courageously to the realities of workplace mental health. Because when people are supported through their worst days, they feel valued. And they stay.
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When bringing grief literacy to the workplace - we believe in keeping things simple, smart, and human. The approach is built on one core truth: when organizations take grief seriously, everything improves - from employee retention to productivity, to culture and outcomes. Every conversation, workshop, or training starts with listening and ends with insights you can think deeply about and tools you can immediately put to work.
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From first responders to last call bartenders.
From hard hats to laptops.
From the ER to HR.
If your people experience human emotions of loss & grief, there is something to learn from our training. We meet your team where they are, providing the grief wisdom needed for any professional environment.
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Our work is backed by some of the most respected certifications in the industry:
David Kessler - Grief Educator (2025)
Going with Grace - Death Doula (2021)
Doulagivers Specialist CEOLD, Care Consultant, Elder Care Specialist
(2021)NEDA Member -
Proficiency Badge (2021)Note: This badge represents a higher level of verified core competency within the alliance
SHRM - Workplace Mental Health Ally
(2026)
BE PROACTIVE & PREPARED
When grief shows up at your workplace - and it will - will leadership be ready? Real conversations your managers may already be avoiding:
Death of a spouse, partner, or loved one
Someone who just received a serious health diagnosis
Someone facing a divorce and/or custody battle
Struggling with infertility
Loss of a beloved pet
A parent is diagnosed with dementia
Sudden loss of pregnancy or stillbirth
Someone in the “sandwich” generation juggling day care AND caregiving
Stigmatized loss that is difficult to openly share
HARD TRUTHS
Unsupported employees report lower loyalty and morale - taking skills with them upon resignation.
Turnover driven by poor support costs employers up to 150% of the employee's annual salary.
Grieving employees suffer from brain fog and emotional distress, leading to mistakes, accidents, and injury on the job.
DEVELOP SKILLS & SOLUTIONS
We equip your managers and HR leaders with the real-world skills to handle grief with a new approach. After training, your team leaders will be confident to:
Respond to personal loss in a way that builds trust, not awkwardness
Witness the nuances a grieving team member may display that might be easily missed
Thoughtfully & professionally address performance issues and offer sustainable solutions
Handle difficult conversations with both honesty and compassion
Communicate skillfully to avoid minimizing what someone is carrying
Create a culture where employees feel seen & respected by the entire team
Know when to refer an employee to additional support and how to do it gracefully
THE COST
$225.8 BILLION lost every year by U.S. companies to unsupported workplace grief through absenteeism, errors, and lost productivity.
Source: CDC / Grief Recovery Institute
THE PEOPLE
One in four employees is grieving at any given moment. Grief doesn't wait for a convenient time and neither does its impact on your team.
Source: Grief Recovery Institute
THE TURNOVER
More than half of grieving employees will consider leaving a job where they feel unsupported after a loss.
Source: National Council for Palliative Care and Dying Matters
Tier 1 - Grief in the Workplace
Lunch & Learn 60-90 minutes | All staff or mixed teams | Up to 40 attendees
A high-impact session that gives your whole team a shared language around grief. Powerful training before a crisis occurs.
What grief actually looks like at work - styles & forms
Skillful vs Unskillful communication
How to support without overstepping
Grief Wisdom Points - reference handout included
Live Q&A
Rates vary by engagement - reach out for a custom quote
1:1 Consulting
For HR professionals, managers, and leaders navigating real-time grief situations - a workplace death, a struggling employee, specific grief related topic(s) requiring additional coaching.
Responsive, private, and tailored to your exact situation
Available as single sessions or ongoing engagements
For individuals or small leadership teams
Virtual or in-person (Inland Empire & Orange County)
Rates vary by engagement - reach out for a custom quote
Training & Credentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
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No. A certified grief educator offers peer to peer coaching and consulting. We are not therapists, and there is no clinical or medical treatment as a part of our services. We offer a range of practical solutions for real-world challenges of workplace grief. Our services are tailored to help you connect with employees with a deeper understanding and empathy.
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Separate from the workplace workshops and leadership consulting, our Wayfinder Life & Legacy services are available to any individual. We offer facilitated group or private 1:1 support for grief, advance care planning, and end of life services.
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Absolutely. Every workplace culture is different, so we will adapt to meet your needs.
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You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly, usually within one business day. You can click here to email us directly.
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You will see that we have included a price range on our workshops. With private and 1:1 consultation, we offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.
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Not at all. Grief comes in so many forms, and we cover the different types of grief in our workshops. Should your company have a specific need, we will be sure to shine a brighter light on those topics.