Navigating bereavement and grief: a guide for retired school leaders

Experiencing bereavement and grief can be one of life’s most profound challenges. Retirement can add new layers of change that make grief feel even more complex.

This guide, produced in collaboration with NAHT, for retired school leaders, and The Loss Foundation, has been created to help you understand and manage the emotional, physical, and practical effects of grief during this stage of life. It explores different types of grief, how they may appear in your daily life and offers compassionate, practical advice for coping and finding support.

Why this guide matters

Grief is deeply personal and does not follow a predictable pattern. For retired school leaders, the experience can be shaped by:

• A shift in identity after leaving a leadership role

• Reduced daily structure and social contact

• Compounded losses, such as changes in health, relationships or future plans

• The challenge of asking for help after years of supporting others

What you’ll find inside the guide

The downloadable PDF includes:

• Clear explanations of grief and its many forms
  Anticipatory grief, cumulative grief, delayed grief, collective grief and more.
• The effects of grief on your mind, body and daily life
  Emotional, physical, mental and spiritual impacts explained with compassion.
• Practical strategies for coping
  From maintaining routines to creative outlets, nature and community support.
• The different stages of grief 
  Understanding that grief is a deeply personal and multifaceted experience and not linear. 
• When to seek additional support
  Signs that it may be time to reach out to a GP, counsellor or helpline.
• Advice for supporting others through grief
  Helpful approaches for listening, signposting and caring without becoming overwhelmed.

Download the free guide

This resource is free and designed specifically for retired school leaders.

Download the PDF: Navigating bereavement and grief 

Whether you are grieving a loved one or supporting someone else through loss, this guide offers understanding, comfort and practical tools to help you move forward at your own pace.

You do not have to navigate grief alone

The organisations behind this guide — NAHT, The Loss Foundation and Education Support — are committed to supporting the wellbeing of current and retired school leaders. Inside the guide, you will also find helplines, specialist services and practical resources for financial and emotional support.