The Subtle Power of Scent in Supporting the Bereaved

There are few roles more emotionally demanding than walking with someone through loss.

Grief counsellors, death doulas, therapists, and hospice volunteers often stand witness to sorrow that is too raw for words. They hold space where no one else can. They meet families in the most vulnerable moments of their lives and offer presence, not solutions.

But in that quiet space of grief, words often fall short. This is where scent comes in.

The sense of smell connects us instantly to memory, safety, and emotion. It bypasses language and touches something deeper. In the grieving process, that can make all the difference. When used with care and intention, scent becomes a companion. It can soothe, ground, and soften the intensity of loss, even just for a moment.

Here are some essential oils that come to mind when we talk about grief: 

• Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) helps a person cope with all transitions and changes. It helps to open the airways and ease the pain felt in the heart center when we are grieving.
• Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) helps to calm the digestive system and any anxiety that may result from the grieving process.
• Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) & Neroli (Citrus aurantium var amara) singly or combined calm the central nervous system to provide fast and efficient relief from the shock and trauma of an unexpected loss.

If you are one of those who accompany the grieving and hold space during life’s hardest moments, or if you have considered working with those grieving, this course offers something meaningful. Our presence is already a form of care. Scent simply deepens that presence, offering support when there are few words left to say.

Easing Emotions of Grief Through the Sense of Smell is a four-week online course led by Margo Fletcher, RA®, created for professionals who:

• Support the bereaved in clinical, therapeutic, or community settings
• Are trained in aromatherapy and want to deepen their emotional care practice
• Work in hospice, palliative care, or end-of-life settings
• Are currently practising as or training to become death doulas

This course was designed for professionals in caregiving roles. While individuals experiencing grief may still find the content meaningful, the core intention is to equip practitioners with scent-based tools to support others.

The program includes:

• Two in-depth modules across four video lessons
• 15 hours of course material covering:
  • Grief and Its Effects
  • The Olfactory System and Aromatherapy Support
  • Companioning the Bereaved Journey
  • Coping with Grief
• Practical tools and techniques for emotional support
• Worksheets and downloadable resources
• Three live mentoring sessions with Margo

This is a chance to deepen your understanding of how grief works, not just in the mind and heart, but in the body. It’s an opportunity to expand your capacity for care.

As a Registered Aromatherapist and long-time Hospice volunteer, Margo brings two decades of experience supporting individuals and families through loss. She created A Scented Space bereavement support program and has since taught others to do the same.

Margo teaches that grief can stem from many sources: the death of a loved one or a pet, the loss of independence, illness, divorce, or even global unrest. No matter the form it takes, grief changes us. This course honours that transformation and offers gentle ways to companion others through it.

You will leave with:

• A deeper understanding of the grieving process and how it affects the body
• Tools for integrating aromatherapy into grief support sessions
• Practical ways to tailor support for each client’s unique experience
• Insights into whether grief support or death doula work aligns with your calling
• Renewed confidence in your ability to create compassionate, multi-dimensional care

If your work involves holding space for others during their hardest moments, this course offers tools to support you in doing that with care and confidence.

Easing Emotions of Grief Through the Sense of Smell begins September 1.Sign up here: https://www.essenceofthyme.com/easing-emotions-grief