Claire Brakel Packer

Grief Guide, Ritual Weaver, and Writer

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About

Hi! My name is Claire Brakel Packer. I'm a writer and grief guide (coach) dedicated to reclaiming the sacred art of grief tending. I help people make friends with their grief so that life and delight feel possible again.

This is a space where deeply feeling and deeply grieving folks can find refuge. Your heartbreak is welcome here.

Ready for ease? Delight? Relief? Even alongside the most devastating loss, this is possible. I know this because I am also a griever. I've been here, I know the terrain. I've spent the past 5 years guiding soulful folks across this same terrain.

I'd be so honored to walk with you and your grief. Let's transform your relationship with grief, let's find a new way. You were never meant to do this alone.

In grief & delight,
Claire

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My grief lineage:
In 2001, I lost my older brother Daniel to suicide. I have walked alongside Grief and Death ever since. In 2020, I began to alchemize this personal pilgrimage into grief work and offer my medicine in the form of writing, group gatherings, and coaching. Below is a list of training and commitments that have informed my grief work.

Grief Educator Training, Certified Grief Educator, David Kessler Training, Spring 2025
Hospice & Bereavement Volunteer Training - Unity Point Hospice 2023 & 2024
Enter the Healing Ground: Grief Ritual Leadership Training 2023 - Francis Weller with Erin Geesaman Rabke, Holly Truhlar, Carl Rabke, and Alexandre Jodun
Foundations of Somatic Abolitionism - Resmaa Menakem & Carlin Quinn, 2021

Reparative Communal Consultations for White Bodies - Education for Racial Equity, 2021 & 2023

Doing Our Own Work: An Anti-Racism Seminar for White People - Melanie Morrison, Allies for Change, 2015

Teaching English as Second Language, MA, St. Cloud State University, 2011

English Writing; Gender & Women's Studies, Japanese, BA, Illinois College, 2008
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You can find me on Substack (clairebrakelpacker.substack.com) and at clairebrakelpacker.com.

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Packages

Meeting Your Grief: Free Resources

Curious about grief coaching? Start here.

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The Grief Letters: Monthly Gathering

Monthly guided group grief letter writing.

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1:1 Guided Grief Letter Writing

30-minute guided letter writing for a specific grief.

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3-Part 1:1 Grief Guidance Sessions

3-part series of 75-minute 1:1 sessions.

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Testimonials

I will never be able to thank you enough for what you've given me. Thank you for giving me a safe space and for seeing me and my grief. My heart breaks for everyone in the world who doesn't have the chance to have their grief held in the way that feels best to them.

Thank you for all of this. My heart needed this guidance so badly. Thank you for providing it and for knowing me so well in such a short time.

Forever grateful to you 💜

- Jess S.

The way you have warmly and compassionately accompanied me through grief is such a beautiful gift. Thank you for listening to me. With deepest awe and gratitude for the profound beauty of your work.

- K. Wilson

Even though we only met for one session, this has been the most healing thing I have done for my grief. Thank you!

- Linda N.