• Contact
Financial Planning Today
  • Home
    • About Us
      • About us
      • Advertising
  • News
    • Financial Planning News
    • Regulation
    • Professional Bodies
    • Wealth Management
    • Job News
    • Paraplanning
    • M&A News
  • Opinion
    • The Editor's Column
    • Mr Sipp - John Moret
    • Life Planning Founder George Kinder
    • Guest Columnist
  • Features
    • Training and Events
    • Insight & Analysis
  • FP Today Magazine
  • Optimum
  • Jobs
  • Home
    • About Us
      • About us
      • Advertising
  • News
    • Financial Planning News
    • Regulation
    • Professional Bodies
    • Wealth Management
    • Job News
    • Paraplanning
    • M&A News
  • Opinion
    • The Editor's Column
    • Mr Sipp - John Moret
    • Life Planning Founder George Kinder
    • Guest Columnist
  • Features
    • Training and Events
    • Insight & Analysis
  • FP Today Magazine
  • Optimum
  • Jobs
  • CISI's Carly Dunningham: Dealing with client bereavement

    In this regular column for Financial Planning Today, our new columnist Carly Dunningham, chair of the CISI's Financial Planning Forum, shares some personal reflections on how planners can help clients coping with grief.


    As Financial Planners, we play a vital role in our clients' lives, helping them navigate complex decisions.

    Our profession demands clarity, focus and a deep commitment to addressing each client’s unique needs.

    However, life can throw challenges our way too, and bereavement is one of the most profound. Balancing grief with being at your best for your clients can be incredibly challenging.

    This is something I experienced first-hand following the loss of my mum this year. It has been a deeply upsetting time for me and my family, bringing a wave of complex emotions that have affected my focus, energy and ability to be present with others.

    Grief is not something you can compartmentalise, and learning how to navigate these feelings has been essential for my personal and professional life.

    Grief affects everyone differently. It can cloud judgment, sap energy, and disrupt focus - qualities critical to a Financial Planner’s role. Acknowledging and understanding these impacts is the first step to managing them effectively.

    Being open with colleagues and management can also foster support.

    While the instinct to "push through" might be strong, delegating tasks or adjusting workloads can help you meet client expectations without overwhelming yourself. These adjustments are not a weakness but a practical approach to maintaining professionalism.

    Interestingly, personal grief can deepen empathy and strengthen connections with clients, especially those dealing with sensitive issues.

    This is certainly something I have found and by navigating my own challenges, I feel I’ve become more compassionate towards others and better equipped to support them.


    Carly Dunningham is a Chartered and Certified Financial Planner. She is the new Chair of the CISI Financial Planning Forum.

    https://www.cisi.org

    • This column first appeared in Financial Planning Today magazine, Jan-Feb 2025 edition. Carly's column appears in each issue of the magazine. You can subscribe to the magazine by registering for this website and then checking package options.


     

  • New issue of Financial Planning Today magazine out now

    The latest issue of Financial Planning Today magazine is now available and is packed with tips and insights for Financial Planners, Paraplanners, Wealth Managers and IFAs.

  • New Financial Planning Today Magazine

    The latest issue of Financial Planning Today Magazine - our exclusive publication for Financial Planners, Paraplanners and Wealth Managers - is now available and features a detailed review of the latest Planner Technology, including a look at the Financial Planning firms already using AI to improve their workflow.

  • FP Today Magazine

    Financial Planning Today Magazine: Next issue out soon

     

    The latest edition of Financial Planning Today magazine, the premium UK journal for Financial Planning, Wealth Management and Paraplanning professionals, will be out next week.

  • Financial Planning Today Magazine: New Issue

    The latest issue of Financial Planning Today magazine, the premium publication for the Financial Planning and Paraplanning professions, is now available. 

  • PIMS Readership Survey

    Financial Planner magazine rates highly with PIMS delegates

  • Financial Planning Today magazine

    Financial Planning Today to launch new digital magazine

  • Financial Planning Today magazine

    Get ready for brand new Financial Planning magazine

  • Financial Planning Today magazine

    New Financial Planning Today magazine coming this week

  • Financial Planning Today magazine - launch issue

    Financial Planning Today magazine is unveiled

  • Financial Planning Today magazine - second issue

    Financial Planning Today magazine issue 2 is launched

  • Financial Planners Gretchen Betts and Julie Lord have said cashflow modelling is key to their new firm Magenta

    Poll verdict: Cashflow model key for true Financial Planning

  • Financial Planning Today magazine - second issue

    Financial Planning Today magazine issue 2 ready to view

  • Financial Planning Today magazine - second issue

    Planner exam entrants mistaken over cashflow requirements

  • Sipps sector to shrink to as few as 30 firms, experts predict

  • Aegon: We didn't pay too much for Cofunds

  • Financial Planning Today magazine - issue 2 cover

    Financial Planning Today magazine issue 3 out soon

  • Financial Planning Today magazine - issue 3 contents page

    Financial Planning Today magazine issue 3 out now

  • Financial Planning Today magazine - issue 3 contents page

    How social media can help you find new clients in latest magazine

  • Anthony Carty, Financial Planning director at Clifton Wealth in Bristol

    Planning boss was asked to help finance ‘adult toys’ firm

Page 1 of 7

  • Prev
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • Next

Key Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Sitemap
  • Contact the Newsdesk
Copyright © 2025 Financial Planning Today. All Rights Reserved.