More about CompasSIONATE Grieving Institute 

Who We Are

The Institute for Compassionate Grieving is a virtual sanctuary for those navigating the complexities of grief. Founded by Grief Specialist and Board Certified Chaplain, AmarAtma Singh Khalsa, our institute offers a heart-centered approach to grieving—one that embraces loss as a pathway to deeper love, healing, and self-discovery. We believe that grief itself is not the problem; rather, it is the stigma, judgment, and isolation surrounding it that need transformation. Our mission is to redefine grief, providing the support, tools, and community necessary to heal with compassion and awareness.

Our Mission

We aim to shift how society understands and interacts with grief, creating a more grief-informed world. We believe that grief is not something to "fix" but rather a profoundly human experience that deserves space, validation, and care. Too often, grief is seen as something to manage or endure, yet it is an invitation—a profound portal for transformation. If grief is love, then grief is calling us into more profound love—perhaps even a universal love. It carries a spiritual energy, asking us to soften, listen, and expand beyond the limits of what we once knew.

Through education, mindfulness practices, and community engagement, we create a safe environment where individuals can process loss with courage, dignity, and self-compassion. By embracing grief as a sacred teacher rather than a condition to overcome, we open the possibility for healing that is not just personal but collective. In doing so, we help shift the cultural narrative around grief, fostering a world that is more compassionate, connected, and whole.
AmarAtma brings a rare depth to grief work—his presence alone creates an atmosphere of healing. His talk at Harvard was nothing short of transformative.

Grief Client

A truly gifted speaker. AmarAtma bridges science and spirituality in a way that makes grief feel not only manageable but meaningful.

Retreat Participant

Our Philosophy

We recognize that grief is a deeply personal and nonlinear journey. At the Institute for Compassionate Grieving, we:
Grief is more than death—it is the invisible and abstract losses that make it so difficult to articulate, yet they deserve just as much space, validation, and care.
  • Approach grief as a natural response to love rather than a disorder to be cured.
  • Create spaces free from judgment, allowing people to grieve in their own way and time.
  • Use somatic and mindfulness-based techniques to support the emotional and physical integration of loss.
  • Help individuals find meaning and resilience through compassionate self-inquiry and community connection.
  • Honor non-death related grief—including ambiguous losses, identity shifts, and life transitions—recognizing that grief extends beyond bereavement.
  • Acknowledge systemic grief and collective grief as vital aspects of the human experience, understanding that social injustice, climate loss, displacement, and disenfranchised grief impact communities on a profound level.

Our APPROACH

If you are seeking support in your grief journey, exploring ways to integrate loss into your life, or interested in professional training, we invite you to be part of our community. Explore our resources, join our membership, or connect with us today. Healing begins with compassion, and you don’t have to walk this path alone.
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Connection

At the heart of our work is the Compassionate Grieving Model, an integrative approach to grief care. We understand that grief is a complex and multifaceted experience that touches every dimension of being—physiological, emotional, cognitive, cultural, and spiritual. Rather than simplifying or bypassing grief, we honor its depth and complexity, supporting individuals to move forward with presence and authenticity.

Much like integrative medicine, our model draws upon multiple perspectives and practices to address grief at various levels, fostering holistic healing and transformation. This approach acknowledges grief not as a linear process, but as an intricate and cumulative experience that requires compassion, safety, and heart-centered care.

Key components of the Compassionate Grieving Model include:

Somatic Work

Connecting with and releasing grief stored in the body through movement, breathwork, and embodied practices.

Mindfulness Practices

Cultivating awareness and emotional regulation through guided meditations, observation, and intentional pause.

Community Support

Creating shared spaces that foster connection, validation, and a sense of belonging.

For Coaches

Support offline education with breakthrough online instruction.

Core Features

Awesome features and agile usability for online education.

Video Conferencing

Enhance your virtual programs by allowing your learners to access high-quality live sessions.

Our Offerings

—

1

Membership Community 

A safe space with live classes, somatic exercises, guided Q&A sessions, and mindfulness practices.

2 

Professional Training
& Certification  

Programs designed for those who wish to expand their grief literacy and support others with confidence and compassion.
3

Resources & Tools

Articles, guided meditations, and self-reflection exercises to help individuals process loss.

Why This Matters

We live in a world where grief is not only avoided—it is accelerated. The pace of life, the volume of loss, and the unspoken expectation to move on rather than process create an overwhelming burden, leaving individuals with more grief than they can fully digest. This inability to properly tend to loss doesn’t just affect individuals; it shapes our collective experience, deepening isolation, disconnection, and division.

The INSTITUTE

At the Institute for Compassionate Grieving, we believe these divisions—both within ourselves and in the world—stem from grief illiteracy. When grief goes unacknowledged, it fragments us. But when we embrace grief with compassion, we open the door to deeper connection, emotional resilience, and a more humane society. We see grief work as peace work, believing that world peace begins with inner peace. By honoring grief, validating emotions, and fostering connection, we create the foundation for a world that is not only more understanding but also more whole.
Our team

Meet our Team

Amar Atma Singh Khalsa
CEO and Founder 
AmarAtma Singh is a grief specialist, spiritual counselor, and compassionate leader in the field of grief work. His personal and professional journey has led him to create a unique, heart-centered approach to navigating loss. With years of experience supporting individuals in hospitals, hospice care, and private practice, AmarAtma brings a deeply empathetic and transformative perspective to the grieving process. He founded the Institute for Compassionate Grieving to provide a space where individuals can feel seen, heard, and supported in their journey.  >>READ MORE
Siri Chand Khalsa MD MS
Chief Strategist 
Siri Chand Khalsa is the Chief Strategist for the Institute for Compassionate Grieving, blending integrative medicine, emotional resilience, and transformative leadership. A board-certified physician in internal, hospice and integrative medicine, she merges scientific and holistic wisdom to shape compassionate grief support. Her experience in patient care deepened her commitment to mindful healing. At the Institute, she develops programs, professional training, and community outreach.  Siri Chand’s leadership ensures the Institute’s methodologies remain research-based, heart-centered, and accessible, helping others navigate grief with wisdom, self-compassion, and grace.
Shai Pardilla 
Executive Administrator
Shaina "Shai" Pardilla is the Executive Admin at the Institute for Compassionate Grieving, where she leverages her extensive experience in virtual assistance, project management, and operations to support the organization's mission. She handles a diverse range of administrative tasks, including website editing, graphic design, research, and client communication. With a strong background in optimizing workflows and managing complex projects, Shaina ensures that the Institute runs smoothly while maintaining a heart-centered approach to serving those navigating grief. Her focus on efficiency and compassionate support makes her an integral part of the team.
100%
employee satisfaction
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of customers

Our students love us

AmarAtma's expertise, intuitive understanding and genuine commitment to grief coaching is ABSOLUTELY a gift to yourself that will change your life. He goes beyond the sessions to assist you and the healing power of his sensitive and loving heart and soul is truly a rare and precious treasure.
Grief Coaching Client
My father gave me the most amazing feedback recently, "You are not the same person you were years ago, and I am very happy for you." My life is completely different from what it was a year ago and I am grateful for this work with AmarAtma. 
Grief Coaching Client
I was experiencing chronic disappointment in my life. I was sad, irritable, and angry. We lost our baby at 20 weeks gestation. AmarAtma helped me to let go of the anger and frustration festering inside. I'm able to stop the anxiety loop cycle I've struggled with my whole life. My recommendation: work with AmarAtma! He's wonderful!
Grief Coaching Client