Returning to Work After Bereavement
Coming Back While Still Holding On
Grief doesn’t follow a schedule. It doesn’t end with the funeral or fade after a few weeks off. When you’ve lost someone you love, life doesn’t just go back to normal - you don’t go back to “normal.” You come back changed.
And yet, work resumes. Emails accumulate. The world, somehow, keeps moving.
For many, returning to work after bereavement feels like stepping back into a space that hasn’t shifted - even though you have.
At Moco Coaching, we believe that every return deserves support - especially one shaped by profound loss.
The Quiet Weight of Grief at Work
Returning to work after bereavement is often less about logistics and more about emotional labour:
Holding it together in meetings while quietly breaking inside
Feeling guilt for laughing or enjoying something, even momentarily
Wondering whether anyone will say something - or whether they’ll say too much
Navigating awkward silences, well-meaning comments or no acknowledgment at all
Even the simplest tasks can feel enormous. Concentration might falter. Memory can feel unreliable. And motivation? That may take time to return.
You are not "underperforming" - you are grieving.
There’s No Right Way to Return
Every loss is different, and so is every return.
Some people need structure to feel grounded again. Others may need flexibility or space to pause and breathe. Many may not even know what they need - just that they’re not the same person who left.
At Moco, we walk alongside people in this delicate space. We don’t rush the process. We help you explore what’s possible without forcing what isn’t.
We believe that returning to work after loss isn’t about bouncing back - it’s about gently rebuilding, step by step.
For Colleagues and Employers: How to Support Someone Returning After Loss
If someone in your team is returning after bereavement, your compassion can make all the difference.
Here’s how to support them:
Don’t ignore it - A simple “I’m so sorry for your loss” acknowledges the reality with care.
Ask, don’t assume - “Would you like to talk about how we can support you?” gives them control.
Offer flexibility - Consider phased returns, adjusted expectations or lighter workloads.
Understand grief isn’t linear - Some days will be harder than others. That’s normal.
Create safe spaces - Whether through a coaching conversation, regular check-ins or simply being present.
How Moco Can Help
We work with individuals and businesses to support the human side of returning to work. Our team includes accredited coaches, grief-informed specialists and trained counsellors. Together, we help people:
Process what’s happened
Navigate uncertainty and mixed emotions
Rebuild confidence and clarity
Return to work in a way that feels authentic and supported
For businesses, we also provide manager training on how to navigate loss in the workplace with empathy, sensitivity and grace.
If You’re Returning After Loss - A Note to You
You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You are not behind. You are not failing. You are grieving - and you are doing your best in impossible circumstances.
Be gentle with yourself. Let others help when you can. Take breaks when you need them. And know that you’re not alone.
At Moco Coaching, we see you. And we’re here to walk with you - one small, human step at a time.
If you or someone on your team is returning to work after bereavement and would benefit from coaching support, we are here. Get in touch to learn how we can help build a path that honours both the grief and the growth.