Behind the Scenes: The Story Behind Our Grace in Grief Journal
Grief is one of those things that touches everyone at some point in life, yet no two people experience it the same way. It’s deeply personal, incredibly difficult, and often, there’s no clear roadmap for navigating it.
For both Ashley and me, grief isn’t just an abstract concept—it’s something we’ve had to face firsthand. Ashley lost her mom nine years ago, and I lost one of my close friends two years ago. Through those experiences, we’ve learned just how complicated and unpredictable grief can be. It’s why we felt so strongly about creating something that could truly help others through their own grief journeys.
And while this idea had been on our radar for a while—especially since Ashley’s family owns a local funeral home—it wasn’t something we had pressed go on just yet. Until one conversation changed everything.
How Grace in Grief Came to Life
One Sunday after church, a friend approached me and mentioned she was gathering items to donate for a widow’s retreat. She asked if we had anything we could contribute. At that moment, we didn’t have a grief journal—but I immediately knew it was time to create one.
When I got to the office that Monday, I told Ashley about the conversation, and without hesitation, she said, "Okay, let’s make it."
That was all it took. We sat down, brainstormed, and cranked out the first edition of Grace in Grief. We wanted to create a journal that wasn’t just a place to write feelings down but a space for healing—a place where people could process their loss in a way that felt right for them.
But we knew we needed outside perspectives. Ashley sent the journal to a few people from the funeral home for feedback, and their response was clear: What we had was good, but it could be so much more.
Turning a Journal Into a Grief Resource
That feedback sparked round two of the journal’s development. We started asking bigger questions:
How could we provide not just journaling prompts, but real, tangible guidance for those navigating grief?
What information would actually be helpful during such a difficult time?
How could we make this journal a true resource, not just a place to write?
That’s when we brought in Ashley’s husband, who works closely with families experiencing loss. He, along with his team at the funeral home, gave us even more insight into what people really need during grief.
One whiteboard session later, we had mapped out an entirely new version of Grace in Grief—one that included:
✔️ Information on the five stages of grief and how they manifest differently for everyone
✔️ Practical tools and simple practices to help navigate the hardest days
✔️ Guidance for honoring loved ones in meaningful ways
✔️ A mix of gentle prompts and open spaces for writing, reflecting, or simply sitting with emotions
✔️ Scripture-based encouragement to provide hope, strength, and reassurance during difficult moments
We wanted this journal to be more than just a place to process thoughts—we wanted it to be a companion in grief, something that provides both comfort and guidance. Whether someone is seeking emotional healing, spiritual encouragement, or simply a place to put their feelings into words, this journal is designed to walk with them through their journey.
Where We Are Now
Right now, the second edition of Grace in Grief is on Amazon and we worked to make sure it’s the absolute best resource we can offer.
This project is so much more than just another journal. It’s personal. It’s meaningful. And our greatest hope is that it serves as a source of healing for those who need it most.
If you or someone you love is walking through grief, know that you’re not alone. And when this journal is ready, we hope it can be a light during even the darkest moments.
We would like to give a special thanks to everyone who helped with the journal! It was a team effort that helped us put this product together and make it not only a journal, but a resource of valuable information for those experiencing loss and grief. 💛
🙏 Thank you to the team at Freeman Mortuary for their knowledge and time spent reviewing the information provided in the journal.
🙏 Thank you to Carla Saucier-Roling for, once again, helping to copy edit.
