Can I become a grief counselor without a degree?

Licensed counselors, including those working in grief and bereavement, typically need a master's degree from an accredited institution, such as the APA or CACREP. Requirements vary by state, but most will also expect a passing board exam score. There are several jobs in the counseling space that don't require a degree or have less stringent educational requirements, such as patient advocate, funeral home director, life coach, or peer support specialist. These roles can give you professional experience as you consider furthering your education to become a licensed grief counselor.

What degree is best for a grief counselor?

Licensed grief counselors usually hold master's degrees. Typically, you will need to first earn a bachelor's degree. Common majors for counselors at the baccalaureate level include psychology, sociology, social work, human services, and the humanities. At the graduate level, you can obtain a master's in clinical psychology, counseling, or social work. You can look for schools that offer grief and bereavement specialties. Or, you can focus on your work in thanatology during your clinical rotations and internships.

What are the skills required to become a grief counselor?

Like all counselors, grief counselors need to have the people skills necessary to relate to their patients, listen attentively, and show empathy. A background in religion or a desire to learn about a diverse array of cultures and their beliefs about death and dying is also helpful. Being resourceful will allow you to connect your clients with community-level support agencies and groups. Time management, organization, networking, customer service, and budgeting are also good traits, especially if you are interested in private practice.

How long does it take to become a grief counselor?

Becoming a licensed grief counselor is a major educational and professional commitment. It can take six to eight years of schooling, and require one to two years of additional supervised clinical experience. Accelerated degree programs are possible. Grief counselors might also seek additional qualifications, such as the AAGC's Grief Counseling Certification. These types of professional development programs often require an initial investment of time and training, as well as an ongoing commitment to continuing education. AAGC requires 100 hours of approved initial course work and 50 or more hours of continuing education every four years.

How to Become a Grief Counselor

Updated on October 25, 2024

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Become a grief counselor, and help people through one of the most difficult parts of life – the death of a loved one.

Thousands of people die every day around the world. In the U.S., researchers at the Census Bureau estimate someone dies every 11 seconds.

As people die, the overwhelming emotion of grief stays with the living. Grief counselors play a critical role in helping people rebuild their lives after experiencing a traumatic loss. Read our guide to learn how you can become a grief counselor and support people in need.

5 Steps to Becoming a Grief Counselor

Grief counselors work in places of worship, funeral homes, hospitals, and counseling centers. Some are licensed therapists while others have specific training to help people navigate death and dying.

1
Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
A first step for aspiring grief counselors is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Common majors include psychology, sociology, social work, human services, and the humanities.
When possible, you’ll want to pursue relevant internships, volunteer, or get work experience, especially in the death and dying space if becoming a grief counselor is your goal.
This will expose you to different carer paths and help you build your resume so you can be competitive when applying for jobs or pursuing higher education.
2
Continue to Earn a Master’s Degree
Some grief counselors practice only with a bachelor’s degree, such as clergy, funeral home workers, caseworkers, social workers, youth counselors, and behavioral specialists.
If professional licensure is your goal, you will likely have to continue your schooling to earn a master’s degree in social work, counseling, or psychology.
You’ll want to research programs that offer classes or specialties in grief or bereavement counseling. You’ll also want to make sure any program you attend is accredited. Some of the larger counseling accrediting agencies include:
3
Secure Licensure
Counseling licensure is done at the state level, so you’ll want to check with your certifying agency to learn about specific qualifications. Some states allow you to practice grief therapy without a license, but that work might be limited to nonclinical spaces such as houses of worship or funeral homes. The American Counseling Association offers a state-by-state guide.
Counseling licensure typically requires the following:
- A master’s degree in counseling or a related field
- Completion of 2-3 years of supervised clinical experience after graduation
- A passing board exam score
The National Board for Certified Counselors administers licensure examinations and maintains a directory of state requirements. Some grief counselors pair the work with licensed child and family therapy. The Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards has more information.
4
Add professional certifications
You can also consider earning a grief counseling certification, such as the one offered by the American Academy of Grief Counseling (AAGC). Certification requires an initial 100 hours of approved coursework.
To maintain fellowship status, you must secure 50 or more hours of continuing education credits every four years. Fellows can receive additional AAGC qualifications, such as certifications in child and adolescent grief counseling or Christian grief counseling.
5
Find employment
With your degree in hand, it’s time to prepare your resume and look for work. Attend networking events and reach out to your college advisors and clinical supervisors for tips and advice. Scour job boards for counseling jobs in the death and dying space, like the National Alliance for Children’s Grief.
You can also look at more general counseling and psychology listings. The American Psychological Association (APA) hosts a PsycCareer page, and you can also find roles on therapistjobboard.com. Consider searching general job sites such as LinkedIn or Indeed, as well.

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Grief Counselor vs. Bereavement Counselor: What’s the Difference?

There are subtle differences between grief and bereavement, even though the terms are often used interchangeably. Grief is a general word for the intense feelings a person experiences during any loss, including death, divorce, a breakup, or a move.

Bereavement specifically refers to people dealing with the death of a loved one. At times, bereavement counseling refers to the specific short-term work of hospital and nursing home staff, religious leaders, and mortuary professionals seeking to comfort people during times of death.

Grief therapists tend to be licensed counselors helping individuals rebuild their lives after a traumatic loss. They normalize grief as an emotion and allow people to explore their loss holistically in a nonjudgmental and compassionate setting.

According to an article in Psychology Today, grief therapists do not try to remove the pain resulting from loss; rather, they want to “help you integrate a significant loss in your life. … Grief therapy is often about helping people discover a sense of meaning in their lives when things feel pointless, absurd, and disorienting.”

How Much Do Grief Counselors Earn?

Like others in the mental health field, a grief counselor’s salary is directly tied to their education and professional qualifications. Those with bachelor’s degrees earn $50,000-$60,000 a year, while master’s degree holders are likely to make $60,000-$70,000. Psychologists with a Ph.D. or Psy.D. can make $95,000 a year or more, according to 2024 Payscale data.

Certified grief counselors may specialize only in grief counseling or also focus on broader areas like marriage and family therapy or mental health counseling. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks counselor pay and job growth:

Marriage and family therapists made a median of $58,510 per year in 2023.
Substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned a median of $53,710 in 2023.
Other counselors made a median of $46,130 during the same period.

Many mental health support fields are growing faster than other occupations. For instance, the BLS projects jobs in marriage and family therapy to grow by 16% through 2033, with a projected 7,500 openings each year. Behavioral disorder, mental health, and substance use counseling jobs are growing even faster, at a projected rate of 19%. The BLS projects about 49,900 annual openings for these professionals through 2033. In the comparison, the average job growth rate for all occupations between 2023 and 2033 is just 4%.

Careers and Salaries with a Counseling Degree
Job	Description	Average Salary (2024)
Mental Health Counselor	Supports individuals, couples, and families through challenging times with short-term talk therapy or other clinical approaches; provides coping strategies for common mental health struggles	$51,390
Mental Health Therapist	Evaluates patients seeking mental health support and prepares comprehensive treatment plans; relies on evidence-based practices, such as cognitive therapy or psychotherapy, for longterm results	$54,510
Grief Counselor	Provides counseling services for people dealing with loss, death, and dying; helps patients through feelings of grief, anxiety, guilt, and fear so they can move on with their lives	$55,400
Social Worker	Improves the lives of others by offering counseling support to individuals and communities; helps clients navigate social programs and services to improve their lives	$55,300
School Counselor	Helps students with their academic and social development through one-on-one and group counseling; supports students to achieve better grades, stronger friendships, and improved behavior	$57,370
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)	A counseling professional with a master’s degree and state license: assists individuals in managing a variety of mental health diagnoses, substance use, or behavioral issues	$62,000
Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist	A counseling professional with a master’s degree and state license: supports individuals, couples and families through interpersonal conflicts and struggles, such as death, divorce, or trauma	$66,440
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)	A social work professional with a master’s degree and state license: supports people and their communities by providing one-on-one counseling and addressing community-level barriers to success	$66,890
Psychologist	A highly educated mental health professional who holds a doctorate and a state license: helps clients navigate mental health challenges with a variety of approaches and methods, partners with service providers and medical doctors for holistic care, and contributes to research and professional education in the field	$90,860

Source: Payscale

5 Grief Counselor Certifications

Grief counseling is a specialty relevant in certain industries, including healthcare, nursing, counseling, therapy, social work, funeral services, and religion. There are many certification programs available, which try to bring people from diverse backgrounds together to ensure quality grief and bereavement care.

The Grief Counseling Certification offered by the AAGC is a comprehensive program for qualified professionals in the death and dying space. Certification requires an initial 100 hours of approved course work. Afterward, to maintain fellowship status, you must secure 50 or more hours of continuing education credits every four years. Fellows can receive additional AAGC qualifications, such as certifications in Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling or Christian Grief Counseling.
A Crisis Intervention Certification from The American Institute of Health Care Professionals (AIHCP) offers education and training to professionals helping individuals in crisis, including the death or terminal illness of a loved one. The program requires an initial 275 hours of approved study. To maintain certification, participants must obtain 50 or more continuing education hours every four years.
The Pastoral Thanatology Certification is also offered by the AACG. It assists practitioners focused on the psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the dying and their loved ones. Certification requires an initial 270 hours of approved study. To maintain certification, participants must obtain 50 or more continuing education hours every four years.
The Spiritual Counseling Certification also offered by the AIHCP is a professional marker for those interested in pairing spiritual well-being and growth with traditional therapeutic concepts, common in the death and dying space. Certification requires an initial 320 hours of approved study. Re-certification requires 50 additional hours of continuing education every four years. A Spiritual Christian Counseling Certification is also available.
A Thanatology Certification from the Association for Death Education and Counseling demonstrates foundation knowledge in the scientific study of death and loss. Participants who complete the requirements can go on to the fellowship level for more training and membership opportunities. Requirements vary based on education. A passing exam score is necessary for certification.

5 Professional Organizations

Professional organizations can expand your network as a grief counselor, offering you access to professional development and training, current research, and fellowship.

American Academy of Grief Counseling (AAGC)

The AAGC offers certification and fellowship programs for qualified professionals interested in grief counseling. Participants include physicians, nurses, counselors, social workers, funeral directors, clergy, and others. The AAGC has two main programs: certification and academy fellowship, a professional membership arm.

The Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC)

The ADEC is an interdisciplinary organization focused on dying, death, and bereavement. Its 1,500 members include psychologists, counselors, social workers, educators, researchers, hospice personnel, clergy, and volunteers. The ADEC works to help professionals better meet the needs of their clients in the death education and grief counseling space.

The American Academy of Bereavement (AAB)

The AAB is a national association devoted to the education, preparation, and professional advancement of bereavement specialists and end-of-life caregivers. It provides educational opportunities and shares research and information about the growing field of thanatology.

The American Counseling Association (ACA)

The ACA is a professional organization dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. It offers education, community, and professional development opportunities for more than 58,000 members, including counselors in disciplines such as grief and bereavement.

Dougy Center

The Dougy Center is a nonprofit organization that is focused on providing a safe space for grieving children, teens, young adults, and families. It also provides support and training to individuals and organizations assisting grieving children. The organization trains more than 8,000 people annually and offers a hub of information on its website and in its online bookstore.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Grief Counselor

Many grief counselors are therapists who help people and families develop healthy coping skills after a significant loss or trauma. This includes addressing mental health issues exacerbated by grief, such as depression, anxiety, addiction, or post-traumatic stress.

Some clergy, hospital workers, mortuary professionals, and social workers also work as grief counselors. These individuals might not be licensed therapists, but many will have other professional endorsements and qualifications.

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