Resources
The LLOST Foundation has collected the following resources to help you deal with your losses. Some of them might help and others may not. We don’t endorse any of these, but have found them to make a difference to many.
BOOKS
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WEBPAGES
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BOOKS
Miscarriages
Another Baby? Maybe; Maribeth Wilder Doerr/ Sherokee Ilse;
Another Baby? Maybe... is a new resource that provides suggestions and encouragement to bereaved parents contemplating or experiencing a pregnancy after miscarriage, infant loss or the death of an older child.
Grieving the Child I Never Knew; Kathe Wunnenberg;
It is a wise and tender companion for mothers whose hearts have been broken--mothers like you whose dreams have been shattered and who wonder how to go on. This devotional collection will help you grieve honestly and well.
I Never Held You; Ellen M. DuBois;
If you've miscarried, you don't need medical jargon-you need someone who understands what you're going through and doesn't dismiss it. In this groundbreaking book, author Ellen DuBois tells of her painful experiences after miscarriage and shares tools that helped get her through the toughest of times-from prayer to relaxation techniques. I Never Held You validates a woman's grief and gently suggests ways to get through the grief process. If you're looking for understanding and help after miscarriage, this is the book for you. I
Never Held You; Ellen M. DuBois;
If you've miscarried, you don't need medical jargon-you need someone who understands what you're going through and doesn't dismiss it. In this groundbreaking book, author Ellen DuBois tells of her painful experiences after miscarriage and shares tools that helped get her through the toughest of times-from prayer to relaxation techniques. I Never Held You validates a woman's grief and gently suggests ways to get through the grief process. If you're looking for understanding and help after miscarriage, this is the book for you.
Miscarriage - A Book for Parents experiencing fatal death; Joy and Marv Johnson;
This book covers: Feelings, Reaching Out, Dads, Your Baby, Single Moms, Other Children, Fears, The Community, and Moving On.
Miscarriage, a Man's Book; Rick Wheat;
From the Book: "I hope what you read in this booklet will help you with your own grief, help you share and understand your wife's grief, and help you know what you can do to better navigate the difficult days which lie ahead. I've been where you are. What you read here is based on my own experiences. Much of this book is about your wife and her grief. However, as you read, I believe you'll find yourself in these pages. Every word you read about your wife's grief applies to you. What you read about your wife’s needs might remind you of your own needs. And what you read about protecting your relationship will certainly be for your benefit as well as for hers."
Miscarriage for Parents Experiencing a Miscarriage Pamphlet; Centering Corporation;
Guide for parents who lose a child to miscarriage.
Miscarriage: Women Sharing from the Heart; Marie Allen and Shelly Marks;
The authors provide a wealth of supportive empowering information based on extensive research and their own personal experiences with miscarriage. Over 17 million women in America have had miscarriages; this important work will help them to deal with the grief, guilt and denial associated with the loss of their babies. Features the voices of 100 women who have experienced miscarriage and offers excellent insight into the social and psychological ramifications of this tragic end to pregnancy.
Mother Care; Inez Anderson, Mary Funk, Sherokee Ilse;
Mother Care is a new resource to aid and empower bereaved mothers to take good care of themselves after their baby's death. The physical, emotional and spiritual components of healing are addressed in this short guide.
Planning a Precious Good-Bye; Susan Erling Martinez, Sherokee Ilse;
Following miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS or infant death. Planning A Precious Goodbye is a necessary resource for every newly bereaved family. It offers the family guidance and specific suggestions for creating a meaningful and memorable service for their baby who has died. Readings, poems, songs, Scripture verse, announcement examples and many options are shared. It is practical, comprehensive and sensitive.
Too Soon a Memory, 2011 Edition (English and Spanish); Pat Schwiebert;
From the Introduction: "This book is written for you who have experienced an early pregnancy loss, commonly known as a miscarriage, during that time in your pregnancy when your baby was still a "secret" nestled close to your heart--and when your body showed only subtle signs of the life growing within you." "As you read this booklet you need not be overly concerned if you are not experiencing all the feelings which will be described in these pages. How much you care is not measured by the intensity of the grief that you display. Own the feelings you do have and don't worry about the rest. It is our hope that this book will validate your loss however you experience it."
Unspeakable Losses: Healing from Miscarriage, Abortion, or Other Pregnancy Loss; Kim Kluger-Bell;
Healing from Miscarriage, Abortion, and Other Pregnancy Loss. This comforting and healing book is a must--not only for women who have at one-time experienced pregnancy loss but also for their parents, sisters, daughters, brothers, and friends. Kim Kluger-Bell's extensive fieldwork as a therapist specializing in the psychodynamics of reproductive crises strips away the shrouds of silence surrounding pregnancy losses and abortions, giving new voice to these "unspeakable losses." Filled with in-depth stories of those who have experienced losses and solid, practical advice with mourning rituals and services, Unspeakable Losses is a necessary companion to all those who have experienced pregnancy loss and those who care about them.
Another Baby? Maybe... is a new resource that provides suggestions and encouragement to bereaved parents contemplating or experiencing a pregnancy after miscarriage, infant loss or the death of an older child.
Grieving the Child I Never Knew; Kathe Wunnenberg;
It is a wise and tender companion for mothers whose hearts have been broken--mothers like you whose dreams have been shattered and who wonder how to go on. This devotional collection will help you grieve honestly and well.
I Never Held You; Ellen M. DuBois;
If you've miscarried, you don't need medical jargon-you need someone who understands what you're going through and doesn't dismiss it. In this groundbreaking book, author Ellen DuBois tells of her painful experiences after miscarriage and shares tools that helped get her through the toughest of times-from prayer to relaxation techniques. I Never Held You validates a woman's grief and gently suggests ways to get through the grief process. If you're looking for understanding and help after miscarriage, this is the book for you. I
Never Held You; Ellen M. DuBois;
If you've miscarried, you don't need medical jargon-you need someone who understands what you're going through and doesn't dismiss it. In this groundbreaking book, author Ellen DuBois tells of her painful experiences after miscarriage and shares tools that helped get her through the toughest of times-from prayer to relaxation techniques. I Never Held You validates a woman's grief and gently suggests ways to get through the grief process. If you're looking for understanding and help after miscarriage, this is the book for you.
Miscarriage - A Book for Parents experiencing fatal death; Joy and Marv Johnson;
This book covers: Feelings, Reaching Out, Dads, Your Baby, Single Moms, Other Children, Fears, The Community, and Moving On.
Miscarriage, a Man's Book; Rick Wheat;
From the Book: "I hope what you read in this booklet will help you with your own grief, help you share and understand your wife's grief, and help you know what you can do to better navigate the difficult days which lie ahead. I've been where you are. What you read here is based on my own experiences. Much of this book is about your wife and her grief. However, as you read, I believe you'll find yourself in these pages. Every word you read about your wife's grief applies to you. What you read about your wife’s needs might remind you of your own needs. And what you read about protecting your relationship will certainly be for your benefit as well as for hers."
Miscarriage for Parents Experiencing a Miscarriage Pamphlet; Centering Corporation;
Guide for parents who lose a child to miscarriage.
Miscarriage: Women Sharing from the Heart; Marie Allen and Shelly Marks;
The authors provide a wealth of supportive empowering information based on extensive research and their own personal experiences with miscarriage. Over 17 million women in America have had miscarriages; this important work will help them to deal with the grief, guilt and denial associated with the loss of their babies. Features the voices of 100 women who have experienced miscarriage and offers excellent insight into the social and psychological ramifications of this tragic end to pregnancy.
Mother Care; Inez Anderson, Mary Funk, Sherokee Ilse;
Mother Care is a new resource to aid and empower bereaved mothers to take good care of themselves after their baby's death. The physical, emotional and spiritual components of healing are addressed in this short guide.
Planning a Precious Good-Bye; Susan Erling Martinez, Sherokee Ilse;
Following miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS or infant death. Planning A Precious Goodbye is a necessary resource for every newly bereaved family. It offers the family guidance and specific suggestions for creating a meaningful and memorable service for their baby who has died. Readings, poems, songs, Scripture verse, announcement examples and many options are shared. It is practical, comprehensive and sensitive.
Too Soon a Memory, 2011 Edition (English and Spanish); Pat Schwiebert;
From the Introduction: "This book is written for you who have experienced an early pregnancy loss, commonly known as a miscarriage, during that time in your pregnancy when your baby was still a "secret" nestled close to your heart--and when your body showed only subtle signs of the life growing within you." "As you read this booklet you need not be overly concerned if you are not experiencing all the feelings which will be described in these pages. How much you care is not measured by the intensity of the grief that you display. Own the feelings you do have and don't worry about the rest. It is our hope that this book will validate your loss however you experience it."
Unspeakable Losses: Healing from Miscarriage, Abortion, or Other Pregnancy Loss; Kim Kluger-Bell;
Healing from Miscarriage, Abortion, and Other Pregnancy Loss. This comforting and healing book is a must--not only for women who have at one-time experienced pregnancy loss but also for their parents, sisters, daughters, brothers, and friends. Kim Kluger-Bell's extensive fieldwork as a therapist specializing in the psychodynamics of reproductive crises strips away the shrouds of silence surrounding pregnancy losses and abortions, giving new voice to these "unspeakable losses." Filled with in-depth stories of those who have experienced losses and solid, practical advice with mourning rituals and services, Unspeakable Losses is a necessary companion to all those who have experienced pregnancy loss and those who care about them.
Loss of a Child During or Shortly After Birth
A Gift of Time; Deborah L. Davis and Amy Kuebelbeck;
A Gift of Time is a gentle and practical guide for parents who are (or are considering) continuing their pregnancy knowing that their baby's life will be brief. When prenatal testing reveals that an unborn child is expected to die before or shortly after birth, some parents will choose to proceed with the pregnancy and to welcome their child into the world. With compassion and support, A Gift of Time walks them step-by-step through this challenging and emotional experience—from the infant's life-limiting prenatal diagnosis and the decision to have the baby to coping with the pregnancy and making plans for the baby’s birth and death. A Gift of Time also offers inspiration and reassurance through the memories of numerous parents who have loved a child who did not survive. Their moving experiences are stories of grief—and of hope. Their anguish over the prenatal diagnosis turns to joy and love during the birth of their child and to gratitude and peace when reflecting on their baby’s short life. Based on material from more than 100 parents from across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia, A Gift of Time draws extensively from parent experiences and includes many direct quotes that tell powerful stories of their own. Full of practical suggestions for parents and for caregivers, it also features the innovative concept of perinatal hospice/palliative care. Caring and thoughtful, the book helps parents embrace the extraordinary time they will have with their child.
A Momma’s Heart; Bethany Conkel;
Offers comfort and strength in a time of heartbreak. Whether you loss is recent or decades old, this book is for you, Momma, as you travel along your journey.
Another Baby? Maybe; Maribeth Wilder Doerr/ Sherokee Ilse;
Another Baby? Maybe... is a new resource that provides suggestions and encouragement to bereaved parents contemplating or experiencing a pregnancy after miscarriage, infant loss or the death of an older child.
Born to Fly: An infant’s Journey to God; Cindy Claussen;
A classic story of a child who was stillborn.
Couple Communication After a Baby Dies. Differing Perspectives; Sherokee Ilse, Tim Nelson; Couple Communication presents practical perspectives on the differences and similarities of men and women who grieve. This book includes the stories of two imperfect couples (the Ilse's and the Nelson's) who have endured over 20+ years each of the ups, downs, and togetherness since their babies died.
Death of an Infant Twin; Centering Center; For parents and families who have experienced the death of a newborn twin or other baby who was part of a multiple birth.
Empty Arms; Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Infant Death - Surviving the Hours and Beyond (English and Spanish); Sherokee Ilse;
This classic book, with over 350,000 in print, is one of the first given to newly bereaved parents to offer support and guidance in decision-making after their baby's death and to assist caregivers as they support families. Empty Arms encourages families to meet their babies and say hello before rushing to say goodbye. With compassion that comes from Sherokee and David's experience of having lived through the death of their son Brennan and miscarried baby Marama, the book offers guidance and practical suggestions for the decision-making at the time (including why and how one might see, hold, and memorialize one's baby) and over time (such as how to handle such times as anniversaries, holidays and the birth of other babies in the parents' close circle.) Family and friends can learn how to understand the loss and be supportive of the bereaved families. It offers ongoing support about subjects such as returning to work or to life, couple grieving, surviving children, feeling guilty, having another child or not, and feeling lonely. This book touches the hearts of families at the time of their loss and over time as they heal. An excellent bibliography and resource section are included.
Empty Cradle Broken Heart. Surviving the Death of your Baby; Deborah L. Davis; The heartache of miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death affects thousands of U.S. families every year. Empty Cradle, Broken Heart offers reassurance to parents who struggle with anger, guilt, and despair after such tragedy. Deborah Davis encourages grieving and makes suggestions for coping. This book strives to cover many different kinds of loss, including information on issues such as the death of one or more babies from a multiple birth, pregnancy interruption, and the questioning of aggressive medical intervention. There is also a special chapter for fathers as well as a chapter on "protective parenting" to help anxious parents enjoy their precious living children. Doctors, nurses, relatives, friends, and other support persons can gain special insight. Most importantly, parents facing the death of a baby will find necessary support in this gentle guide. If reading this book moves you to cry, try to accept this reaction. Your tears merge with those of other grieving parents. A purpose of this book is to let bereaved parents know that they are not alone in their grief. With factual information and the words and insights of other bereaved parents, you can establish realistic expectations for your grief. Empty Cradle, Broken Heart is meant to help you through these difficult experiences by giving you things to think about, providing suggestions for coping and encouraging you to do what you need to survive your baby's death. Whether your baby dies recently or long ago, this information can be useful to you.
Goodbye My Child: A Gentle Guide for Parents Whose Child has Died;
Helps with funeral planning, practical issues, deaths of all ages of children, men and women’s grief, phases of mourning, caring for yourself and unfinished business. “It doesn’t matter if your child was the tiniest infant or one who grew to adulthood and even old age. It is the relationship with your child that forms these powerful emotions.”
Grieving the Child I Never Knew; Kathe Wunnenberg;
It is a wise and tender companion for mothers whose hearts have been broken--mothers like you whose dreams have been shattered and who wonder how to go on. This devotional collection will help you grieve honestly and well.
Healing Together; Sandra Lovell, Marcie Lister;
This compact book covers ideas for a memorial service to talking together. Information on how men and women grieve differently and how to strengthen your relationship after the loss of your baby.
Healing your Grieving Heart after Stillbirth; Raelynn Maloney, Alan D. Wolfelt;
The stillbirth of a hoped-for child is an inexplicable loss of hopes and dreams of a new life--to the parents, to the siblings this baby may have, to the extended family, and to friends. The impact of this overwhelming loss is profound and life-changing. This compassionate guide contains 100 practical ideas to help those affected by the tragedy of stillbirth. Some of the ideas teach about the principles of grief and mourning. Others offer practical, action-oriented tips for coping with the natural difficulties of this loss, such as communication between spouses, explaining the death to others, reconciling anger or guilt, remembering the baby who died, and many others.
I Will Hold You in My Heart Forever; Michelle Murray;
A Baby Book for Little Angels. CHAPTERS INCLUDE: In the Beginning, Pregnancy Moments, Family Tree, Showers, The World Around You, Hello Little One, Your Illness, Hospital Stay, Taking Care of You, Every Day a Miracle, The Day You Died, Funeral Details, Final Resting Place, Hopes and Dreams, Holding You in My Heart, Websites and Support Groups.
Life Touches Life: A Mother's Story of Stillbirth and Healing; Lorraine Ash;
Life Touches Life is for stillbirth parents shocked by the death of their child. It brings them solace and perspective and shows how one stillbirth mother reordered her inner life in the aftermath of her daughter's death. It also is for those who love stillbirth parents and want to understand and help them but are hesitant to approach such difficult emotional terrain. Life Touches Life is a full-blown, real-life road map of the emotional and spiritual journey of stillbirth that does not hold back or give way to theories or platitudes about grief. The reader also will learn why stillbirth happens, how often and to whom.
Mother Care; Inez Anderson, Mary Funk, Sherokee Ilse;
Mother Care is a new resource to aid and empower bereaved mothers to take good care of themselves after their baby's death. The physical, emotional and spiritual components of healing are addressed in this short guide.
Planning a Precious Good-Bye; Susan Erling Martinez, Sherokee Ilse;
Following miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS or infant death. Planning A Precious Goodbye is a necessary resource for every newly bereaved family. It offers the family guidance and specific suggestions for creating a meaningful and memorable service for their baby who has died. Readings, poems, songs, Scripture verse, announcement examples and many options are shared. It is practical, comprehensive and sensitive.
Pregnancy After a Loss: A Guide to Pregnancy after a Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death; Carol Lanham;
For a woman who has experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of an infant, conceiving another child can be fraught with mixed emotions. This guide, filled with up-to-date medical information and written by a woman who herself experienced a successful pregnancy after the loss of her first baby, can help women cope with their anxiety. It offers guidance for women asking such questions as:
•Why did it happen—and how can I make sure it doesn't happen again?
•Will my next pregnancy be considered high-risk?
•How long should I wait before getting pregnant again?
•What can I expect at prenatal exams?
•Will I ever be able to love another baby as much as I love the one I lost?
Pregnancy after a loss can be a time of great emotional upheaval—but also, a time of healing and hope. With this sensible, sensitive guide, women can put their minds at ease—and learn to look forward to the future as they make peace with the past.
Stillbirth for Parents Experiencing a Stillbirth Pamphlet;
Centering Corporation; A guide to help families grieving from stillbirth.
Stillbirth but Still Born; Deborah Davis;
Stillbirth is always a devastating shock, a heartbreaking collision of birth and death that leaves parents helpless. In this accessible book, you will find comfort and ideas for affirming and honoring your precious baby's life.
Strong and Tender; Schwiebert;
A guide for the father whose baby died.
Sus Pequenas Huellas (Little Footprints); Dorothy Ferguson;
For parents of stillborn infants or those who die shortly after birth. Features a journal for feelings, memorable dates, pictures, place for mementos, last moments, and your story: the day you were born. 24 pages that include gentle poems.
Tender Fingerprints; Brad Stetson;
This is the powerfully insightful and emotionally compelling account of profound personal loss, the crisis of faith it caused, and the invigorated Christian commitment that resulted.
When Hello Means Goodbye (English and Spanish); Pat Schwiebert;
This sensitive booklet is a help to families during the early days of their grief. It helps answer questions and prepare parents for the days ahead. It can be given to parents at the first acknowledgment of their baby’s death to help them best use the short time they’ll have with their little one. Among topics covered are: collecting keepsakes; ways to celebrate the birth and death of a baby; reasons for seeing, holding and naming a dead baby; emotions common to bereaved parents; information about autopsies; where to find help; and the unique situations of fathers, siblings, and grandparents. Contains beautiful poetry.
A Gift of Time is a gentle and practical guide for parents who are (or are considering) continuing their pregnancy knowing that their baby's life will be brief. When prenatal testing reveals that an unborn child is expected to die before or shortly after birth, some parents will choose to proceed with the pregnancy and to welcome their child into the world. With compassion and support, A Gift of Time walks them step-by-step through this challenging and emotional experience—from the infant's life-limiting prenatal diagnosis and the decision to have the baby to coping with the pregnancy and making plans for the baby’s birth and death. A Gift of Time also offers inspiration and reassurance through the memories of numerous parents who have loved a child who did not survive. Their moving experiences are stories of grief—and of hope. Their anguish over the prenatal diagnosis turns to joy and love during the birth of their child and to gratitude and peace when reflecting on their baby’s short life. Based on material from more than 100 parents from across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia, A Gift of Time draws extensively from parent experiences and includes many direct quotes that tell powerful stories of their own. Full of practical suggestions for parents and for caregivers, it also features the innovative concept of perinatal hospice/palliative care. Caring and thoughtful, the book helps parents embrace the extraordinary time they will have with their child.
A Momma’s Heart; Bethany Conkel;
Offers comfort and strength in a time of heartbreak. Whether you loss is recent or decades old, this book is for you, Momma, as you travel along your journey.
Another Baby? Maybe; Maribeth Wilder Doerr/ Sherokee Ilse;
Another Baby? Maybe... is a new resource that provides suggestions and encouragement to bereaved parents contemplating or experiencing a pregnancy after miscarriage, infant loss or the death of an older child.
Born to Fly: An infant’s Journey to God; Cindy Claussen;
A classic story of a child who was stillborn.
Couple Communication After a Baby Dies. Differing Perspectives; Sherokee Ilse, Tim Nelson; Couple Communication presents practical perspectives on the differences and similarities of men and women who grieve. This book includes the stories of two imperfect couples (the Ilse's and the Nelson's) who have endured over 20+ years each of the ups, downs, and togetherness since their babies died.
Death of an Infant Twin; Centering Center; For parents and families who have experienced the death of a newborn twin or other baby who was part of a multiple birth.
Empty Arms; Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Infant Death - Surviving the Hours and Beyond (English and Spanish); Sherokee Ilse;
This classic book, with over 350,000 in print, is one of the first given to newly bereaved parents to offer support and guidance in decision-making after their baby's death and to assist caregivers as they support families. Empty Arms encourages families to meet their babies and say hello before rushing to say goodbye. With compassion that comes from Sherokee and David's experience of having lived through the death of their son Brennan and miscarried baby Marama, the book offers guidance and practical suggestions for the decision-making at the time (including why and how one might see, hold, and memorialize one's baby) and over time (such as how to handle such times as anniversaries, holidays and the birth of other babies in the parents' close circle.) Family and friends can learn how to understand the loss and be supportive of the bereaved families. It offers ongoing support about subjects such as returning to work or to life, couple grieving, surviving children, feeling guilty, having another child or not, and feeling lonely. This book touches the hearts of families at the time of their loss and over time as they heal. An excellent bibliography and resource section are included.
Empty Cradle Broken Heart. Surviving the Death of your Baby; Deborah L. Davis; The heartache of miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death affects thousands of U.S. families every year. Empty Cradle, Broken Heart offers reassurance to parents who struggle with anger, guilt, and despair after such tragedy. Deborah Davis encourages grieving and makes suggestions for coping. This book strives to cover many different kinds of loss, including information on issues such as the death of one or more babies from a multiple birth, pregnancy interruption, and the questioning of aggressive medical intervention. There is also a special chapter for fathers as well as a chapter on "protective parenting" to help anxious parents enjoy their precious living children. Doctors, nurses, relatives, friends, and other support persons can gain special insight. Most importantly, parents facing the death of a baby will find necessary support in this gentle guide. If reading this book moves you to cry, try to accept this reaction. Your tears merge with those of other grieving parents. A purpose of this book is to let bereaved parents know that they are not alone in their grief. With factual information and the words and insights of other bereaved parents, you can establish realistic expectations for your grief. Empty Cradle, Broken Heart is meant to help you through these difficult experiences by giving you things to think about, providing suggestions for coping and encouraging you to do what you need to survive your baby's death. Whether your baby dies recently or long ago, this information can be useful to you.
Goodbye My Child: A Gentle Guide for Parents Whose Child has Died;
Helps with funeral planning, practical issues, deaths of all ages of children, men and women’s grief, phases of mourning, caring for yourself and unfinished business. “It doesn’t matter if your child was the tiniest infant or one who grew to adulthood and even old age. It is the relationship with your child that forms these powerful emotions.”
Grieving the Child I Never Knew; Kathe Wunnenberg;
It is a wise and tender companion for mothers whose hearts have been broken--mothers like you whose dreams have been shattered and who wonder how to go on. This devotional collection will help you grieve honestly and well.
Healing Together; Sandra Lovell, Marcie Lister;
This compact book covers ideas for a memorial service to talking together. Information on how men and women grieve differently and how to strengthen your relationship after the loss of your baby.
Healing your Grieving Heart after Stillbirth; Raelynn Maloney, Alan D. Wolfelt;
The stillbirth of a hoped-for child is an inexplicable loss of hopes and dreams of a new life--to the parents, to the siblings this baby may have, to the extended family, and to friends. The impact of this overwhelming loss is profound and life-changing. This compassionate guide contains 100 practical ideas to help those affected by the tragedy of stillbirth. Some of the ideas teach about the principles of grief and mourning. Others offer practical, action-oriented tips for coping with the natural difficulties of this loss, such as communication between spouses, explaining the death to others, reconciling anger or guilt, remembering the baby who died, and many others.
I Will Hold You in My Heart Forever; Michelle Murray;
A Baby Book for Little Angels. CHAPTERS INCLUDE: In the Beginning, Pregnancy Moments, Family Tree, Showers, The World Around You, Hello Little One, Your Illness, Hospital Stay, Taking Care of You, Every Day a Miracle, The Day You Died, Funeral Details, Final Resting Place, Hopes and Dreams, Holding You in My Heart, Websites and Support Groups.
Life Touches Life: A Mother's Story of Stillbirth and Healing; Lorraine Ash;
Life Touches Life is for stillbirth parents shocked by the death of their child. It brings them solace and perspective and shows how one stillbirth mother reordered her inner life in the aftermath of her daughter's death. It also is for those who love stillbirth parents and want to understand and help them but are hesitant to approach such difficult emotional terrain. Life Touches Life is a full-blown, real-life road map of the emotional and spiritual journey of stillbirth that does not hold back or give way to theories or platitudes about grief. The reader also will learn why stillbirth happens, how often and to whom.
Mother Care; Inez Anderson, Mary Funk, Sherokee Ilse;
Mother Care is a new resource to aid and empower bereaved mothers to take good care of themselves after their baby's death. The physical, emotional and spiritual components of healing are addressed in this short guide.
Planning a Precious Good-Bye; Susan Erling Martinez, Sherokee Ilse;
Following miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS or infant death. Planning A Precious Goodbye is a necessary resource for every newly bereaved family. It offers the family guidance and specific suggestions for creating a meaningful and memorable service for their baby who has died. Readings, poems, songs, Scripture verse, announcement examples and many options are shared. It is practical, comprehensive and sensitive.
Pregnancy After a Loss: A Guide to Pregnancy after a Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death; Carol Lanham;
For a woman who has experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of an infant, conceiving another child can be fraught with mixed emotions. This guide, filled with up-to-date medical information and written by a woman who herself experienced a successful pregnancy after the loss of her first baby, can help women cope with their anxiety. It offers guidance for women asking such questions as:
•Why did it happen—and how can I make sure it doesn't happen again?
•Will my next pregnancy be considered high-risk?
•How long should I wait before getting pregnant again?
•What can I expect at prenatal exams?
•Will I ever be able to love another baby as much as I love the one I lost?
Pregnancy after a loss can be a time of great emotional upheaval—but also, a time of healing and hope. With this sensible, sensitive guide, women can put their minds at ease—and learn to look forward to the future as they make peace with the past.
Stillbirth for Parents Experiencing a Stillbirth Pamphlet;
Centering Corporation; A guide to help families grieving from stillbirth.
Stillbirth but Still Born; Deborah Davis;
Stillbirth is always a devastating shock, a heartbreaking collision of birth and death that leaves parents helpless. In this accessible book, you will find comfort and ideas for affirming and honoring your precious baby's life.
Strong and Tender; Schwiebert;
A guide for the father whose baby died.
Sus Pequenas Huellas (Little Footprints); Dorothy Ferguson;
For parents of stillborn infants or those who die shortly after birth. Features a journal for feelings, memorable dates, pictures, place for mementos, last moments, and your story: the day you were born. 24 pages that include gentle poems.
Tender Fingerprints; Brad Stetson;
This is the powerfully insightful and emotionally compelling account of profound personal loss, the crisis of faith it caused, and the invigorated Christian commitment that resulted.
When Hello Means Goodbye (English and Spanish); Pat Schwiebert;
This sensitive booklet is a help to families during the early days of their grief. It helps answer questions and prepare parents for the days ahead. It can be given to parents at the first acknowledgment of their baby’s death to help them best use the short time they’ll have with their little one. Among topics covered are: collecting keepsakes; ways to celebrate the birth and death of a baby; reasons for seeing, holding and naming a dead baby; emotions common to bereaved parents; information about autopsies; where to find help; and the unique situations of fathers, siblings, and grandparents. Contains beautiful poetry.
Loss of a Child
Children Die Too; Joy and Marvin Johnson;
Living after the death of a child is not done according to a fixed pattern of emotions. The various feelings and experiences are more like changes in the weather. About the time you believe the storm has passed, you find it returning to stir you again. Some parents have described their grief as coming in waves. Just when you least expect it, you are struck by the wave and carried along with it. Grief is something you integrate into your life. You don’t “get through it” or “get over it.” You make it a part of you, just as your child will always be a part of you and never forgotten.
Dear Parents; Centering Corporation;
A collection of letters to bereaved parents written by bereaved parents and well-known leaders in the bereavement field. This is a support group in book form. Makes a wonderful gift to newly bereaved families.
For Better or Worse: Handbook for Couples Whose Child has Died;
When my first son was a stillborn, my husband and I traveled very different paths in our grief process, both of us alone, uncommunicative, afraid. No one explained to us that we would embark upon a long journey of sadness. In fact, we were not even told it was normal to grieve, and it certainly did not occur to us that we would each handle our loss very differently. Grief is a long, hard road. I hope that in reading this book you will find the strength to assign your marriage the highest priority and become closer in the process.
Force of Will; Mike Stavlund;
There is hope—even when there is no happy ending. When Mike Stavlund’s four-month-old son suddenly died, a flood of cards, flowers, meals, phone calls, and gifts let his family know that they were loved and cared for. Less welcome were the books, in particular the religious books. Often impossibly upbeat, saccharine sweet, and with all kinds of confident promises, they were too painful to read and too offensive to bear. Instead Mike wrote this book, one week at a time during that first terrible year. A Force of Will explores the stark reality of loss, the alienation from all of life, the feeling of suffocation at the hands of the well-meaning people gathered around, and the sense of being abandoned by God. If you’re experiencing difficulty, this heartfelt book will help you to confront with honesty what you are going through without making you feel guilty.
Goodbye My Child: A Gentle Guide for Parents Whose Child has Died;
Helps with funeral planning, practical issues, deaths of all ages of children, men and women’s grief, phases of mourning, caring for yourself and unfinished business. “It doesn’t matter if your child was the tiniest infant or one who grew to adulthood and even old age. It is the relationship with your child that forms these powerful emotions.”
Grief Unveiled; Gregory Floyd;
A candid account of sudden grief and faith that has inspired thousands. Gregory Floyd’s journey through grief after the tragic death of his youngest son recounts the full impact of such a loss on a typical Catholic family. In this expanded edition, he more than ever before allows the reader into his heart as he grapples with emotions that question the goodness of God in the midst of unbearable grief. He also answers the question: What is it like to live with such grief ten, fifteen, twenty years later? With brutal honesty, this loving father openly reveals the depths of his pain as he struggles to maintain faith and provide leadership for his family. He also reflects as he watches his other children mature, get married, and begin their own independent lives in the time since his son’s death. Each of the children adds his and her own brief reflections in a special appendix to this important volume.
Healing a Parent’s Grieving Heart; Wolfelt;
The unthinkable has happened: your child has died. The normal circle of life has been broken, and you have outlived your child. How do you go on? What can you do with your pain? Where do you turn? What do other grieving parents do not only to survive, but over time and with the support of others, to live and love fully again? This book offers 100 practical ideas that have helped other grieving parents understand and reconcile their grief. Common challenges, such as dealing with marital stress, helping surviving siblings, dealing with hurtful advice from others and exploring feelings of guilt, are also addressed. Whether your child was young or an adult, whether your loss was recent or many years ago, this compassionate and easy-to-use resource will be a source of comfort and healing.
Mommy Please Don't Cry, No Tears in Heaven; Linda Deymaz;
Mommy, Please Don't Cry is a book of love and comfort for mothers who have experienced the deep sorrow of losing a child. Serene illustrations frame gentle words that describe heaven from a child's perspective. With room for the reader's personal reflections at the end of the book, every page is a poignant gift of hope and healing. "Our stories are all different, but our pain is the same," writes Linda. "We are mothers who will forever grieve the loss of our children. And yet, there is hope for our troubled souls."
Never Too Old for a Lullaby; Juanita White;
When your grown child dies you are bereaved, devastated, shocked, numbed and all too often, forgotten. In this sensitive book we explore the many feelings that accompany this great loss. This child may be grown, but this child is still your little girl, your little boy, yours.
Suicide of a Child; Adina Wrobleski;
This book is for you if you have had a child complete suicide. It doesn't matter what age your child was young or middle-aged, you are still a parent and you are experiencing a deep grief. We'll take a look at the feelings you may have, the ways you can relate to other people, your marriage, your other children and what you can do to take care of yourself.
When Hello Means Goodbye (English and Spanish); Pat Schwiebert;
This sensitive booklet is a help to families during the early days of their grief. It helps answer questions and prepare parents for the days ahead. It can be given to parents at the first acknowledgment of their baby’s death to help them best use the short time they’ll have with their little one. Among topics covered are: collecting keepsakes; ways to celebrate the birth and death of a baby; reasons for seeing, holding and naming a dead baby; emotions common to bereaved parents; information about autopsies; where to find help; and the unique situations of fathers, siblings, and grandparents. Contains beautiful poetry.
Living after the death of a child is not done according to a fixed pattern of emotions. The various feelings and experiences are more like changes in the weather. About the time you believe the storm has passed, you find it returning to stir you again. Some parents have described their grief as coming in waves. Just when you least expect it, you are struck by the wave and carried along with it. Grief is something you integrate into your life. You don’t “get through it” or “get over it.” You make it a part of you, just as your child will always be a part of you and never forgotten.
Dear Parents; Centering Corporation;
A collection of letters to bereaved parents written by bereaved parents and well-known leaders in the bereavement field. This is a support group in book form. Makes a wonderful gift to newly bereaved families.
For Better or Worse: Handbook for Couples Whose Child has Died;
When my first son was a stillborn, my husband and I traveled very different paths in our grief process, both of us alone, uncommunicative, afraid. No one explained to us that we would embark upon a long journey of sadness. In fact, we were not even told it was normal to grieve, and it certainly did not occur to us that we would each handle our loss very differently. Grief is a long, hard road. I hope that in reading this book you will find the strength to assign your marriage the highest priority and become closer in the process.
Force of Will; Mike Stavlund;
There is hope—even when there is no happy ending. When Mike Stavlund’s four-month-old son suddenly died, a flood of cards, flowers, meals, phone calls, and gifts let his family know that they were loved and cared for. Less welcome were the books, in particular the religious books. Often impossibly upbeat, saccharine sweet, and with all kinds of confident promises, they were too painful to read and too offensive to bear. Instead Mike wrote this book, one week at a time during that first terrible year. A Force of Will explores the stark reality of loss, the alienation from all of life, the feeling of suffocation at the hands of the well-meaning people gathered around, and the sense of being abandoned by God. If you’re experiencing difficulty, this heartfelt book will help you to confront with honesty what you are going through without making you feel guilty.
Goodbye My Child: A Gentle Guide for Parents Whose Child has Died;
Helps with funeral planning, practical issues, deaths of all ages of children, men and women’s grief, phases of mourning, caring for yourself and unfinished business. “It doesn’t matter if your child was the tiniest infant or one who grew to adulthood and even old age. It is the relationship with your child that forms these powerful emotions.”
Grief Unveiled; Gregory Floyd;
A candid account of sudden grief and faith that has inspired thousands. Gregory Floyd’s journey through grief after the tragic death of his youngest son recounts the full impact of such a loss on a typical Catholic family. In this expanded edition, he more than ever before allows the reader into his heart as he grapples with emotions that question the goodness of God in the midst of unbearable grief. He also answers the question: What is it like to live with such grief ten, fifteen, twenty years later? With brutal honesty, this loving father openly reveals the depths of his pain as he struggles to maintain faith and provide leadership for his family. He also reflects as he watches his other children mature, get married, and begin their own independent lives in the time since his son’s death. Each of the children adds his and her own brief reflections in a special appendix to this important volume.
Healing a Parent’s Grieving Heart; Wolfelt;
The unthinkable has happened: your child has died. The normal circle of life has been broken, and you have outlived your child. How do you go on? What can you do with your pain? Where do you turn? What do other grieving parents do not only to survive, but over time and with the support of others, to live and love fully again? This book offers 100 practical ideas that have helped other grieving parents understand and reconcile their grief. Common challenges, such as dealing with marital stress, helping surviving siblings, dealing with hurtful advice from others and exploring feelings of guilt, are also addressed. Whether your child was young or an adult, whether your loss was recent or many years ago, this compassionate and easy-to-use resource will be a source of comfort and healing.
Mommy Please Don't Cry, No Tears in Heaven; Linda Deymaz;
Mommy, Please Don't Cry is a book of love and comfort for mothers who have experienced the deep sorrow of losing a child. Serene illustrations frame gentle words that describe heaven from a child's perspective. With room for the reader's personal reflections at the end of the book, every page is a poignant gift of hope and healing. "Our stories are all different, but our pain is the same," writes Linda. "We are mothers who will forever grieve the loss of our children. And yet, there is hope for our troubled souls."
Never Too Old for a Lullaby; Juanita White;
When your grown child dies you are bereaved, devastated, shocked, numbed and all too often, forgotten. In this sensitive book we explore the many feelings that accompany this great loss. This child may be grown, but this child is still your little girl, your little boy, yours.
Suicide of a Child; Adina Wrobleski;
This book is for you if you have had a child complete suicide. It doesn't matter what age your child was young or middle-aged, you are still a parent and you are experiencing a deep grief. We'll take a look at the feelings you may have, the ways you can relate to other people, your marriage, your other children and what you can do to take care of yourself.
When Hello Means Goodbye (English and Spanish); Pat Schwiebert;
This sensitive booklet is a help to families during the early days of their grief. It helps answer questions and prepare parents for the days ahead. It can be given to parents at the first acknowledgment of their baby’s death to help them best use the short time they’ll have with their little one. Among topics covered are: collecting keepsakes; ways to celebrate the birth and death of a baby; reasons for seeing, holding and naming a dead baby; emotions common to bereaved parents; information about autopsies; where to find help; and the unique situations of fathers, siblings, and grandparents. Contains beautiful poetry.
Loss of a Parent
Healing the Adult Child's Grieving Heart; Alan D. Wolfelt;
When people get older, they die. We understand this, yet when a parent who has lived to middle or old age dies, the death often still comes as a shock. And the grief can be surprisingly deep and painful. Why do adult children whose parent has died often feel “orphaned,” depressed and alone? What should they do with their sadness, resentment or anger? What are some effective ways to cope?
Loss of a Parent – Adult Grief When a Parent Dies; Theresa Jackson;
"Loss of a Parent, Adult Grief when Parents Die" combines a personal approach with expert guidance and informed grief exercises, to make readers feel less alone and more informed about what they might experience next.
When people get older, they die. We understand this, yet when a parent who has lived to middle or old age dies, the death often still comes as a shock. And the grief can be surprisingly deep and painful. Why do adult children whose parent has died often feel “orphaned,” depressed and alone? What should they do with their sadness, resentment or anger? What are some effective ways to cope?
Loss of a Parent – Adult Grief When a Parent Dies; Theresa Jackson;
"Loss of a Parent, Adult Grief when Parents Die" combines a personal approach with expert guidance and informed grief exercises, to make readers feel less alone and more informed about what they might experience next.
Loss of a Sibling
Healing the Adult Sibling's Grieving Heart; Alan D. Wolfelt;
When your adult brother or sister dies, part of you dies, too. Whether your sibling died as a young or older adult, whether the death was sudden or anticipated, this compassionate and easy-to-use resource is for you. Turn to any page and seize the day by taking a small step toward healing.
No New Baby (English and Spanish); Marilyn Gryte; For Siblings Who Have a Brother or Sister Die Before Birth. A wise Grandmother explains that you are not to blame and we don't always have the answers. "Grandma took hold of my hand. She leaned over and picked something up off the ground. See this little bud? she asked. It was supposed to keep growing and turn into a flower. But it didn't, and no one knows why. Most little buds become flowers, but some don't. This one died. It will never be a flower now. I said." Offers some guidelines to parents on how to talk to your child about the loss of your baby.
Sibling Grief – Healing After the Death of a Brother or Sister; Ilse;
“P. Gill White, PhD, has done an outstanding job of writing on a much-needed subject within the bereavement community. As siblings sadly are often the "forgotten" grievers when the death of their brother or sister occurs, a book such as this is greatly needed. Dr. White's insights and experiences as both a bereaved sibling herself and as a sibling grief counselor are sure to be a great help to all who read her book."-
Surviving the Death of a Sibling; T. J. Wray;
Living Through Grief When an Adult Brother or a Sister Dies. When T.J. Wray lost her 43-year-old brother, her grief was deep and enduring and, she soon discovered, not fully acknowledged. Despite the longevity of adult sibling relationships, surviving siblings are often made to feel as if their grief is somehow unwarranted. After all, when an adult sibling dies, he or she often leaves behind parents, a spouse, and even children—all of whom suffer a more socially recognized type of loss. Based on the author's own experiences, as well as those of many others, Surviving the Death of a Sibling helps adults who have lost a brother or sister to realize that they are not alone in their struggle. Just as important, it teaches them to understand the unique stages of their grieving process, offering practical and prescriptive advice for dealing with each stage.
Who will Feed My Goldfish; Denien Vittorio Wilde;
"Who Will Feed My Goldfish?" is the story of a young girl who must face two different loses in her life; the loss of a beloved pet and the loss of a cherished younger brother. Lily finds that sometimes we do not always have answers to our questions. She discovers there is a place all creatures go after death where we are happy and have all we need; a place where we live with God. Lily learns that facing loss and expressing her grief are the first steps to healing her heart.
When your adult brother or sister dies, part of you dies, too. Whether your sibling died as a young or older adult, whether the death was sudden or anticipated, this compassionate and easy-to-use resource is for you. Turn to any page and seize the day by taking a small step toward healing.
No New Baby (English and Spanish); Marilyn Gryte; For Siblings Who Have a Brother or Sister Die Before Birth. A wise Grandmother explains that you are not to blame and we don't always have the answers. "Grandma took hold of my hand. She leaned over and picked something up off the ground. See this little bud? she asked. It was supposed to keep growing and turn into a flower. But it didn't, and no one knows why. Most little buds become flowers, but some don't. This one died. It will never be a flower now. I said." Offers some guidelines to parents on how to talk to your child about the loss of your baby.
Sibling Grief – Healing After the Death of a Brother or Sister; Ilse;
“P. Gill White, PhD, has done an outstanding job of writing on a much-needed subject within the bereavement community. As siblings sadly are often the "forgotten" grievers when the death of their brother or sister occurs, a book such as this is greatly needed. Dr. White's insights and experiences as both a bereaved sibling herself and as a sibling grief counselor are sure to be a great help to all who read her book."-
Surviving the Death of a Sibling; T. J. Wray;
Living Through Grief When an Adult Brother or a Sister Dies. When T.J. Wray lost her 43-year-old brother, her grief was deep and enduring and, she soon discovered, not fully acknowledged. Despite the longevity of adult sibling relationships, surviving siblings are often made to feel as if their grief is somehow unwarranted. After all, when an adult sibling dies, he or she often leaves behind parents, a spouse, and even children—all of whom suffer a more socially recognized type of loss. Based on the author's own experiences, as well as those of many others, Surviving the Death of a Sibling helps adults who have lost a brother or sister to realize that they are not alone in their struggle. Just as important, it teaches them to understand the unique stages of their grieving process, offering practical and prescriptive advice for dealing with each stage.
Who will Feed My Goldfish; Denien Vittorio Wilde;
"Who Will Feed My Goldfish?" is the story of a young girl who must face two different loses in her life; the loss of a beloved pet and the loss of a cherished younger brother. Lily finds that sometimes we do not always have answers to our questions. She discovers there is a place all creatures go after death where we are happy and have all we need; a place where we live with God. Lily learns that facing loss and expressing her grief are the first steps to healing her heart.
Loss of a Spouse
Finding Your Way After Your Spouse Dies; Richard Gilbert;
If you have suffered the death of your spouse, you have experienced one of the most painful and disorienting experiences life can offer. In the days immediately following the loss, you may need everything from advice on finances to a home-cooked meal. But there is nothing you need more than the warm, reassuring voice of one who has traveled this path before and survived. In Finding Your Way After Your Spouse Dies, Marta Felber offers just such a voice--caring, hopeful, always pointing ahead to a tomorrow that will be a little easier than today. Having experienced her own spouse's death, Felber is never glib or simplistic. She knows the grief her readers are feeling, and she encourages them to give it full expression. At the same time, she offers sound, practical suggestions on how to navigate difficult days.
Healing A Spouse’s Grieving Heart; Alan Wolfelt;
When your spouse dies, your loss is profound. Not only have you lost the companionship of someone you deeply loved, you have lost the person who shared your history, your helpmate, your lover, perhaps your financial provider. Learning to cope with your grief and find continued meaning in life will be difficult, but you can and you will if you embrace the principle set forth in this practical guide by Dr. Wolfelt. This book offers 100 practical, here-and-now suggestions for helping widows and widowers mourn well so they can go on to live well and love well again. Whether your spouse died recently or long ago, you will find comfort and healing in this compassionate book.
I'm Grieving as Fast as I Can; Linda Fienberg;
A guide for young widows and widowers through the normal grieving process that highlights the special circumstances of an untimely death. Young widows and widowers share thoughts and dilemmas about losing a loved one, what to tell young children experiencing a parent's death, returning to work and dealing with in-laws.
If you have suffered the death of your spouse, you have experienced one of the most painful and disorienting experiences life can offer. In the days immediately following the loss, you may need everything from advice on finances to a home-cooked meal. But there is nothing you need more than the warm, reassuring voice of one who has traveled this path before and survived. In Finding Your Way After Your Spouse Dies, Marta Felber offers just such a voice--caring, hopeful, always pointing ahead to a tomorrow that will be a little easier than today. Having experienced her own spouse's death, Felber is never glib or simplistic. She knows the grief her readers are feeling, and she encourages them to give it full expression. At the same time, she offers sound, practical suggestions on how to navigate difficult days.
Healing A Spouse’s Grieving Heart; Alan Wolfelt;
When your spouse dies, your loss is profound. Not only have you lost the companionship of someone you deeply loved, you have lost the person who shared your history, your helpmate, your lover, perhaps your financial provider. Learning to cope with your grief and find continued meaning in life will be difficult, but you can and you will if you embrace the principle set forth in this practical guide by Dr. Wolfelt. This book offers 100 practical, here-and-now suggestions for helping widows and widowers mourn well so they can go on to live well and love well again. Whether your spouse died recently or long ago, you will find comfort and healing in this compassionate book.
I'm Grieving as Fast as I Can; Linda Fienberg;
A guide for young widows and widowers through the normal grieving process that highlights the special circumstances of an untimely death. Young widows and widowers share thoughts and dilemmas about losing a loved one, what to tell young children experiencing a parent's death, returning to work and dealing with in-laws.
Loss in General
Bearing the Unbearable, Joanne Cacciatore;
When a loved one dies, the pain of loss can feel unbearable—especially in the case of a traumatizing death that leaves us shouting, “NO!” with every fiber of our body. The process of grieving can feel wild and nonlinear—and often lasts for much longer than other people, the nonbereaved, tell us it should.
Organized into fifty-two short chapters, Bearing the Unbearable is a companion for life’s most difficult times, revealing how grief can open our hearts to connection, compassion, and the very essence of our shared humanity. Dr. Joanne Cacciatore—bereavement educator, researcher, Zen priest, and leading counselor in the field—accompanies us along the heartbreaking path of love, loss, and grief. Through moving stories of her encounters with grief over decades of supporting individuals, families, and communities—as well as her own experience with loss—Cacciatore opens a space to process, integrate, and deeply honor our grief.
Not just for the bereaved, Bearing the Unbearable will be required reading for grief counselors, therapists and social workers, clergy of all varieties, educators, academics, and medical professionals. Organized into fifty-two accessible and stand-alone chapters, this book is also perfect for being read aloud in support groups.
Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace and Learning the Hard Way; Shauna Niequist;
“The idea of bittersweet is changing the way I live, unraveling and re-weaving the way I understand life. Bittersweet is the idea that in all things there is both something broken and something beautiful, that there is a moment of lightness on even the darkest of nights, a shadow of hope in every heartbreak, and that rejoicing is no less rich even when it contains a splinter of sadness. “It’s the practice of believing that we really do need both the bitter and the sweet, and that a life of nothing but sweetness rots both your teeth and your soul. Bitter is what makes us strong, what forces us to push through, what helps us earn the lines on our faces and the calluses on our hands. Sweet is nice enough, but bittersweet is beautiful, nuanced, full of depth and complexity. Bittersweet is courageous, gutsy, audacious, earthy. "This is what I’ve come to believe about change: it’s good, in the way that childbirth is good, and heartbreak is good, and failure is good. By that I mean that it’s incredibly painful, exponentially more so if you fight it, and also that it has the potential to open you up, to open life up, to deliver you right into the palm of God’s hand, which is where you wanted to be all long, except that you were too busy pushing and pulling your life into exactly what you thought it should be. “I’ve learned the hard way that change is one of God’s greatest gifts, and most useful tools. Change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can show us who we’ve become, in the worst ways, and also in the best ways. I’ve learned that it’s not something to run away from, as though we could, and that in many cases, change is a function of God’s graciousness, not life’s cruelty.” Niequist, a keen observer of life with a lyrical voice, writes with the characteristic warmth and honesty of a dear friend: always engaging, sometimes challenging, but always with a kind heart. You will find Bittersweet savory reading, indeed. “This is the work I’m doing now, and the work I invite you into: when life is sweet, say thank you, and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you, and grow.”
Getting Past Christmas After the Death of a Loved One;
Ideas for coping during the Christmas season. Offers ten important ideas for taking care of yourself during this holiday.
God Will Teach Me to Fly; Joanetta Hendel;
God Will Teach Me to Fly is a book for women in crisis, and for all those who care about them. Triggered by the sudden and unexpected death of two-year-old Benjamin, Andrea was thrown headlong into a series of life crises. The years that followed were devastating, heartbreaking, debilitating, bewildering, consuming, chaotic, shocking, disgraceful, messy, transformative, regenerative and—ultimately—redemptive. During that season, the written word became her lifeline, her path to healing, and eventually her sacred mandate. Fast paced, gripping, and profoundly insightful, God Will Teach Me to Fly is mandatory reading for all those in the helping professions, including counselors, lawyers, clergy, group facilitators and others who work with bereaved parents and troubled families.
Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love; Mitsch and Brookside;
Daily religious meditations. Few losses are as painful as the death of someone you love. No valley is as vast as grief, no journey as personal and life-changing. Compassionate and wise guides, Raymond Mitsch and Lynn Brookside, shine a light on the road through grief. They can help you endure the anguish; understand the stages of grief; sort through the emotions of anger, guilt, fear and depression; and face the God who allowed you to lose the one you love. This series of thoughtful daily devotions shares wisdom, insight and comfort that will help hurting people through and beyond their grief.
Partnered Grief – When Gay and Lesbians Grieve; Smith/Johnson;
In a culture that expects grievers to get over it and move on, how do you intentionally and deliberately express your grief for a partner? This book provides the much needed comfort and support.
Remembering for Good; Cath Duncan;
Remembering for Good is for anyone who is grieving the loss of someone or something important to them.
Remembering with Love; Elizabeth Levang, Sherokee Ilse;
Messages of Hope for the First Year of Grieving and Beyond. Devastated...Confused...Overwhelmed...Alone...these are our feelings when a loved one dies. More than at any other time in our lives, we need support and understanding. Remembering with Love, an affirming gift for those grieving the loss of a loved one, offers compassion, comfort, and guidance. Over three hundred short pieces remind us that we are not alone, and that we can and will survive. These messages of hope assure us that one of the secrets to healing lies in remembering our loved one forever.
Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing after Loss (English and Spanish); Pat Schwiebert, Chuck DeKlyen;
A Recipe for Healing After Loss. Some cooking requires that you measure ingredients exactly. But making soup is different. Soup making is an art, and you are the artist. Improvising as you go, your only goal is that the blended creation will both satisfy your hunger and soothe what hurts you. "What's true about soup making, is also true about grieving." In our richly illustrated new book, Grandy has just suffered a big loss in her life, and so she is cooking up her own unique batch of “tear soup." Tear Soup gives you a glimpse into Grandy's life as she blends different ingredients into her own grief process. Her tear soup will help to bring her comfort and ultimately help to fill the void I her life that was created by her loss.
When a loved one dies, the pain of loss can feel unbearable—especially in the case of a traumatizing death that leaves us shouting, “NO!” with every fiber of our body. The process of grieving can feel wild and nonlinear—and often lasts for much longer than other people, the nonbereaved, tell us it should.
Organized into fifty-two short chapters, Bearing the Unbearable is a companion for life’s most difficult times, revealing how grief can open our hearts to connection, compassion, and the very essence of our shared humanity. Dr. Joanne Cacciatore—bereavement educator, researcher, Zen priest, and leading counselor in the field—accompanies us along the heartbreaking path of love, loss, and grief. Through moving stories of her encounters with grief over decades of supporting individuals, families, and communities—as well as her own experience with loss—Cacciatore opens a space to process, integrate, and deeply honor our grief.
Not just for the bereaved, Bearing the Unbearable will be required reading for grief counselors, therapists and social workers, clergy of all varieties, educators, academics, and medical professionals. Organized into fifty-two accessible and stand-alone chapters, this book is also perfect for being read aloud in support groups.
Bittersweet: Thoughts on Change, Grace and Learning the Hard Way; Shauna Niequist;
“The idea of bittersweet is changing the way I live, unraveling and re-weaving the way I understand life. Bittersweet is the idea that in all things there is both something broken and something beautiful, that there is a moment of lightness on even the darkest of nights, a shadow of hope in every heartbreak, and that rejoicing is no less rich even when it contains a splinter of sadness. “It’s the practice of believing that we really do need both the bitter and the sweet, and that a life of nothing but sweetness rots both your teeth and your soul. Bitter is what makes us strong, what forces us to push through, what helps us earn the lines on our faces and the calluses on our hands. Sweet is nice enough, but bittersweet is beautiful, nuanced, full of depth and complexity. Bittersweet is courageous, gutsy, audacious, earthy. "This is what I’ve come to believe about change: it’s good, in the way that childbirth is good, and heartbreak is good, and failure is good. By that I mean that it’s incredibly painful, exponentially more so if you fight it, and also that it has the potential to open you up, to open life up, to deliver you right into the palm of God’s hand, which is where you wanted to be all long, except that you were too busy pushing and pulling your life into exactly what you thought it should be. “I’ve learned the hard way that change is one of God’s greatest gifts, and most useful tools. Change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can show us who we’ve become, in the worst ways, and also in the best ways. I’ve learned that it’s not something to run away from, as though we could, and that in many cases, change is a function of God’s graciousness, not life’s cruelty.” Niequist, a keen observer of life with a lyrical voice, writes with the characteristic warmth and honesty of a dear friend: always engaging, sometimes challenging, but always with a kind heart. You will find Bittersweet savory reading, indeed. “This is the work I’m doing now, and the work I invite you into: when life is sweet, say thank you, and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you, and grow.”
Getting Past Christmas After the Death of a Loved One;
Ideas for coping during the Christmas season. Offers ten important ideas for taking care of yourself during this holiday.
God Will Teach Me to Fly; Joanetta Hendel;
God Will Teach Me to Fly is a book for women in crisis, and for all those who care about them. Triggered by the sudden and unexpected death of two-year-old Benjamin, Andrea was thrown headlong into a series of life crises. The years that followed were devastating, heartbreaking, debilitating, bewildering, consuming, chaotic, shocking, disgraceful, messy, transformative, regenerative and—ultimately—redemptive. During that season, the written word became her lifeline, her path to healing, and eventually her sacred mandate. Fast paced, gripping, and profoundly insightful, God Will Teach Me to Fly is mandatory reading for all those in the helping professions, including counselors, lawyers, clergy, group facilitators and others who work with bereaved parents and troubled families.
Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love; Mitsch and Brookside;
Daily religious meditations. Few losses are as painful as the death of someone you love. No valley is as vast as grief, no journey as personal and life-changing. Compassionate and wise guides, Raymond Mitsch and Lynn Brookside, shine a light on the road through grief. They can help you endure the anguish; understand the stages of grief; sort through the emotions of anger, guilt, fear and depression; and face the God who allowed you to lose the one you love. This series of thoughtful daily devotions shares wisdom, insight and comfort that will help hurting people through and beyond their grief.
Partnered Grief – When Gay and Lesbians Grieve; Smith/Johnson;
In a culture that expects grievers to get over it and move on, how do you intentionally and deliberately express your grief for a partner? This book provides the much needed comfort and support.
Remembering for Good; Cath Duncan;
Remembering for Good is for anyone who is grieving the loss of someone or something important to them.
Remembering with Love; Elizabeth Levang, Sherokee Ilse;
Messages of Hope for the First Year of Grieving and Beyond. Devastated...Confused...Overwhelmed...Alone...these are our feelings when a loved one dies. More than at any other time in our lives, we need support and understanding. Remembering with Love, an affirming gift for those grieving the loss of a loved one, offers compassion, comfort, and guidance. Over three hundred short pieces remind us that we are not alone, and that we can and will survive. These messages of hope assure us that one of the secrets to healing lies in remembering our loved one forever.
Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing after Loss (English and Spanish); Pat Schwiebert, Chuck DeKlyen;
A Recipe for Healing After Loss. Some cooking requires that you measure ingredients exactly. But making soup is different. Soup making is an art, and you are the artist. Improvising as you go, your only goal is that the blended creation will both satisfy your hunger and soothe what hurts you. "What's true about soup making, is also true about grieving." In our richly illustrated new book, Grandy has just suffered a big loss in her life, and so she is cooking up her own unique batch of “tear soup." Tear Soup gives you a glimpse into Grandy's life as she blends different ingredients into her own grief process. Her tear soup will help to bring her comfort and ultimately help to fill the void I her life that was created by her loss.
Father’s Grief
Father's Grieve Too (English and Spanish); Joy and Marv Johnson;
Helpful information for men. Makes a wonderful handout.
Grief Case: A Man’s Guide to Healing and Moving Forward in Grief; R. Glen Kelly;
You are “Grieved.” That is why you are here. You are a fellow member in the club no one wants to belong to.You have lost someone you love and are trying to discover how to move forward, and possibly, who you are now.The Griefcase will help you do just that.Jason was handed his Griefcase, against his will, when his sixteen-year-old son died in a horrible car accident. His Griefcase was given to him by someone he didn’t even know at the time, but Jason instantly understood he would carry it with him until the day he left this world behind.It was a heavy Griefcase, and so burdensome. It impacted Jason’s life in every way, be it work, social events, and even at home. If he tried to move, it would hold him back, tripped him up, and was such an anchor on his life that it often frightened him.When he dared overcome his fears and look inside the Griefcase, he just wanted to slam the lid closed again. He saw a disorganized pile of manila folders strewn across the bottom of the case, each one labeled with different emotions, like shock, anger, guilt, and disbelief. Although he knew in his very soul he should face the contents inside, the confusion blocked out the solution for processing his grief.Come inside “The Griefcase” and learn the methods for sorting through the folders of corrosive emotions, and how to lighten your Griefcase so it becomes a cherished container of your loved one.You might be surprised to find out that when the Griefcase is lighter, there is room inside to toss in a pair of flip-flops and a bottle of suntan lotion. You will have earned a break….
Grief Unveiled; Gregory Floyd;
A candid account of sudden grief and faith that has inspired thousands. Gregory Floyd’s journey through grief after the tragic death of his youngest son recounts the full impact of such a loss on a typical Catholic family. In this expanded edition, he more than ever before allows the reader into his heart as he grapples with emotions that question the goodness of God in the midst of unbearable grief. He also answers the question: What is it like to live with such grief ten, fifteen, twenty years later? With brutal honesty, this loving father openly reveals the depths of his pain as he struggles to maintain faith and provide leadership for his family. He also reflects as he watches his other children mature, get married, and begin their own independent lives in the time since his son’s death. Each of the children adds his and her own brief reflections in a special appendix to this important volume.
Guide for Fathers: When a Baby Dies; Tim Nelson;
This pocket-sized book is for men who experience the death of their infant child -- whether it be miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant de ath. Meant to be a guide during the early hours and days after finding out the news of their baby's death, the book offers suggestions for communicating with medical caregivers, offering support to their partner, telling the news to other children, making funeral arrangements and taking care of themselves in a time of crisis. It goes on to talk about effective communications during the weeks and months following the loss, going to a support group, returning to the workplace, and the issues surrounding a subsequent pregnancy.
Miscarriage, a Man's Book; Rick Wheat;
From the Book: "I hope what you read in this booklet will help you with your own grief, help you share and understand your wife's grief, and help you know what you can do to better navigate the difficult days which lie ahead. I've been where you are. What you read here is based on my own experiences. Much of this book is about your wife and her grief. However, as you read, I believe you'll find yourself in these pages. Every word you read about your wife's grief applies to you. What you read about your wife’s needs might remind you of your own needs. And what you read about protecting your relationship will certainly be for your benefit as well as for hers."
Helpful information for men. Makes a wonderful handout.
Grief Case: A Man’s Guide to Healing and Moving Forward in Grief; R. Glen Kelly;
You are “Grieved.” That is why you are here. You are a fellow member in the club no one wants to belong to.You have lost someone you love and are trying to discover how to move forward, and possibly, who you are now.The Griefcase will help you do just that.Jason was handed his Griefcase, against his will, when his sixteen-year-old son died in a horrible car accident. His Griefcase was given to him by someone he didn’t even know at the time, but Jason instantly understood he would carry it with him until the day he left this world behind.It was a heavy Griefcase, and so burdensome. It impacted Jason’s life in every way, be it work, social events, and even at home. If he tried to move, it would hold him back, tripped him up, and was such an anchor on his life that it often frightened him.When he dared overcome his fears and look inside the Griefcase, he just wanted to slam the lid closed again. He saw a disorganized pile of manila folders strewn across the bottom of the case, each one labeled with different emotions, like shock, anger, guilt, and disbelief. Although he knew in his very soul he should face the contents inside, the confusion blocked out the solution for processing his grief.Come inside “The Griefcase” and learn the methods for sorting through the folders of corrosive emotions, and how to lighten your Griefcase so it becomes a cherished container of your loved one.You might be surprised to find out that when the Griefcase is lighter, there is room inside to toss in a pair of flip-flops and a bottle of suntan lotion. You will have earned a break….
Grief Unveiled; Gregory Floyd;
A candid account of sudden grief and faith that has inspired thousands. Gregory Floyd’s journey through grief after the tragic death of his youngest son recounts the full impact of such a loss on a typical Catholic family. In this expanded edition, he more than ever before allows the reader into his heart as he grapples with emotions that question the goodness of God in the midst of unbearable grief. He also answers the question: What is it like to live with such grief ten, fifteen, twenty years later? With brutal honesty, this loving father openly reveals the depths of his pain as he struggles to maintain faith and provide leadership for his family. He also reflects as he watches his other children mature, get married, and begin their own independent lives in the time since his son’s death. Each of the children adds his and her own brief reflections in a special appendix to this important volume.
Guide for Fathers: When a Baby Dies; Tim Nelson;
This pocket-sized book is for men who experience the death of their infant child -- whether it be miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant de ath. Meant to be a guide during the early hours and days after finding out the news of their baby's death, the book offers suggestions for communicating with medical caregivers, offering support to their partner, telling the news to other children, making funeral arrangements and taking care of themselves in a time of crisis. It goes on to talk about effective communications during the weeks and months following the loss, going to a support group, returning to the workplace, and the issues surrounding a subsequent pregnancy.
Miscarriage, a Man's Book; Rick Wheat;
From the Book: "I hope what you read in this booklet will help you with your own grief, help you share and understand your wife's grief, and help you know what you can do to better navigate the difficult days which lie ahead. I've been where you are. What you read here is based on my own experiences. Much of this book is about your wife and her grief. However, as you read, I believe you'll find yourself in these pages. Every word you read about your wife's grief applies to you. What you read about your wife’s needs might remind you of your own needs. And what you read about protecting your relationship will certainly be for your benefit as well as for hers."
Grandparent’s Grief
For Bereaved Grandparents; Margaret H. Gerner;
Grief is the normal reaction to a loss. We experience grief throughout our lives. A pet dies. A friend moves away. Our children go off to college. We lose a job. We grieve these losses, but we don't always realize that's what we are doing. With a grandchild's death, we face one of life's most painful griefs. For Bereaved Grandparents
Grandparents Grief Pamphlet; Centering Corporation; An 8-page handout for grandparents wanting to help their children while grieving themselves. Talks about grief, the holidays and what you can do to help.
Grandparents Grieve Too;
Grandparents Sorrow; Pat Schwiebert;
When a family suffers the loss of an infant, before, after or during childbirth, grandparents suffer a double loss. Your child is grieving and so are you. Included in this booklet are suggestions on how grandparents can help themselves as they grieve, how to better understand their child during this difficult time, and how to hold close the precious memory of their grandchild. Included in the back of this booklet is a bereavement resource guide.
Grieving Grandparents; Sherokee Ilse/ Lori Leininger;
Grieving Grandparents is a practical exploration of the anguish, sorrow and sense of helplessness that grandparents feel when their beloved grandchild dies. Critical information is shared to aid grandparents as they attempt to comfort and support their children who suffer, while they also learn to cope with their own grief. Many specific examples will make a difference in their children's lives.
Grief is the normal reaction to a loss. We experience grief throughout our lives. A pet dies. A friend moves away. Our children go off to college. We lose a job. We grieve these losses, but we don't always realize that's what we are doing. With a grandchild's death, we face one of life's most painful griefs. For Bereaved Grandparents
Grandparents Grief Pamphlet; Centering Corporation; An 8-page handout for grandparents wanting to help their children while grieving themselves. Talks about grief, the holidays and what you can do to help.
Grandparents Grieve Too;
Grandparents Sorrow; Pat Schwiebert;
When a family suffers the loss of an infant, before, after or during childbirth, grandparents suffer a double loss. Your child is grieving and so are you. Included in this booklet are suggestions on how grandparents can help themselves as they grieve, how to better understand their child during this difficult time, and how to hold close the precious memory of their grandchild. Included in the back of this booklet is a bereavement resource guide.
Grieving Grandparents; Sherokee Ilse/ Lori Leininger;
Grieving Grandparents is a practical exploration of the anguish, sorrow and sense of helplessness that grandparents feel when their beloved grandchild dies. Critical information is shared to aid grandparents as they attempt to comfort and support their children who suffer, while they also learn to cope with their own grief. Many specific examples will make a difference in their children's lives.
Children/Teen Books
Children and Grief Pamphlet; Centering Corporation;
Helpful guide on helping children who are grieving.
Creative Interventions for Bereaved Children; Liana Lowenstein; A uniquely creative compilation of activities to help bereaved children express feelings of grief, diffuse traumatic reminders, address self-blame, commemorate the deceased, and learn coping strategies. Includes special activities for children dealing with the suicide or murder of a loved one. It covers a theoretical overview for practitioners, tips for caregivers and schools, and a ten-week curriculum for use in therapy or support groups. An invaluable resource for grief counselors, group facilitators, and school personnel.
Grief Bubble: Helping Kids Explore and Understand Grief (English and Spanish); Kerry DeBay;
A special book for children ages 6 and older who have experienced the death of someone special. The interactive format invites them to find expression for their thoughts and feelings, encouraging the exploration of their grief.
Healing your Grieving Heart for Kids; Alan D. Wolfelt;
Someone you love has died. This is probably a very sad and very hard time for you. The painful thoughts and feelings you have inside you are called grief. You need to let those thoughts and feelings out. Letting your grief is called mourning. This book will help you mourn in ways that feel comfortable for you. This book will help you feel better and live a happy, full life again. With sensitivity and insight, this series offers suggestions for healing activities that can help survivors learn to express their grief and mourn naturally. Acknowledging that death is a painful, ongoing part of life, they explain how people need to slow down, turn inward, embrace their feelings of loss, and seek and accept support when a loved one dies. Each book, geared for mourning adults, teens, or children, provides ideas and action-oriented tips that teach the basic principles of grief and healing. These ideas and activities are aimed at reducing the confusion, anxiety, and huge personal void so that the living can begin their lives again. Included in the books for teens and kids are age-appropriate activities that teach younger people that their thoughts are not only normal but necessary.
Healing your Grieving Heart Journal for Teens; Alan D. Wolfelt, Megan E. Wolfelt;
This unique guided journal encourages teens to learn about grief and mourning then write down their unique thoughts and feelings. Topics covered include: what makes each teen's grief unique; common feelings after a death; the six needs of mourning; capturing memories of the person who died; and achieving reconciliation.
If Only; Carole Geithner;
If thirteen-year-old Corinna Burdette could have one wish, she knows exactly what it would be. When most girls her age are hoping for new cell phones or prettier hair, Corinna wishes that her mother, Sophie, was alive again. She knows that dying is a normal part of life, but having her mother taken away from her the summer before eighth grade wasn't part of the plan. Now Corinna should do the unthinkable: concentrate in school, play soccer, and hang out with friends, all as if nothing has happened. Corinna's dad tries to help, but he's dealing with his own grief. Her friends try, but they don't know what to say. Classmates whisper about her because is "the girl whose mom died." While everyone else's life is moving along, Corinna feels hers has stopped - it's especially hard when, at any given moment, she feels like she might completely lose it. Even normal activities such as buying new clothes (her dad is clueless) or listening to music (which means sad songs) are laced with danger. But as Corinna's year progresses, surprising things begin to happen, including a discovery that leads to information she never knew about her mother. Part heartbreaking, part funny, and boundlessly hopeful, Carole Geithner's debut novel is nothing short of extraordinary.
Love Never Stops; Emilio Parga;
A Memory Book for Children by Emilio Parga, M.A. Founder of The Solace Tree, a center for grieving children in Reno, NV. A caring memory book for children of all ages. Guided headings include pages for children to write or draw.
Memories Live Forever (English and Spanish); Sharon Rugg;
This is a very special book -- the words and pictures were created for you by kids your own age. The book was made especially for you to help you remember someone very important in your life who has died. That person may be a parent, a grandparent, a brother or sister or maybe even a friend. Death brings many confusing feelings that are hard to talk about. The exercises in this book provide different ways for you to remember times shared with the special person who died. You may choose to do all of the exercises or only some of them. Treat this book as your personal diary which you have created just for yourself, and share it with others only if you want. Working through this memory book will be like going on a trip with the friend or family member who died. As you remember the special times, you will begin to understand your feelings better and will be able to share them with the important people in your life."
No New Baby (English and Spanish); Marilyn Gryte;
For Siblings Who Have a Brother or Sister Die Before Birth. A wise Grandmother explains that you are not to blame and we don't always have the answers. "Grandma took hold of my hand. She leaned over and picked something up off the ground. See this little bud? she asked. It was supposed to keep growing and turn into a flower. But it didn't, and no one knows why. Most little buds become flowers, but some don't. This one died. It will never be a flower now. I said." Offers some guidelines to parents on how to talk to your child about the loss of your baby.
Remember - A Child Remembers; Enid Samuel-Traisman,
M.S.W.; Remember... A Child Remembers is a write-in memory book for bereaved children age 8-12. This journal is a unique tool for children who are grieving over the death of someone they love. There are pages for writing about the person's life and death, a goodbye letter, a story about us, pages to draw the service, being angry, being happy, and many more. It will help the young person cope with the loss of a special relationship and keep the memories safely preserved.
Remembering Our Baby; Patti Keough;
A workbook for children whose brother or sister died. Includes pages for writing and drawing to help share thoughts and feelings. Begins with the family, finding out about the death, questions, and things to do to the baby. Ages 4-9. Revised 2006.
Sam’s Dad Died; Margaret Holmes;
After his father dies, Sam tells how he feels and what he can do so he doesn't hurt so much.
Someone Came Before You; Pat Schwiebert;
There are books for children to help them when the baby they are waiting for dies. And now there is a book for the child who comes after the one who died. It's a perfect gift just for them. It explains in a gentle way the parents' desire for a child and the sadness that comes over them when that baby dies. It then shares how the parents, with the help of the baby, get to the point of wanting another child to come into their lives. Recommended for age level 2 and up.
35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child; The Dougie Center;
This guidebook presents 35 simple and practical suggestions for supporting a grieving child. Drawn from the experiences of thousands of grieving children and teens about what helps and what doesn't. Learn what to expect from grieving children at different ages, how to provide safe outlets for children to express their thoughts and feelings, and how to support them during the memorial service, holidays and anniversary times. From the Introduction: "One of the most important things we've learned from children is that everyone grieves differently. Cultural traditions, religious beliefs, family experiences and personality differences all influence the way we choose to express our grief. Not all the suggestions in this guidebook will apply to your situation. Take what is useful and helpful for you. When in doubt, ask a child or teenager what helps. They will tell you."
Waterbugs and Dragonflies; Doris Sickney;
ColoringBook for Children – Explains death to young children.
We were Going to Have a Baby But had an Angel Instead; Pat Schwiebert;
A children’s book told from a young child’s perspective about the excitement and dreams of a coming baby, and the disappointment and sadness of a miscarriage. Beautiful ink and watercolor illustrations.
When Death Walks In; Mark Scrivani;
The most popular book for ages 13 up. Includes information about going back to school, dreams, friends and looks at ways of facing grief during the teen years. Gives important information about grief and what we can do about anger, sadness and all the emotions that come when death walks in.
When Families Grieve; Sesame Street;
This kit includes a Sesame Street DVD, a Guide for Parents and Caregivers, and a Children's Story. It is designed to help your family sort through complex emotions, remember the life of a loved one, and find strength in one another.
Where’s Our Baby; Oldfield;
A little boy is trying to make sense of the confusion surrounding the death of his baby sister. He must ask questions to the adults around him and find a way to interpret the things they do and say in order to find his own sense of peace.
Who will Feed My Goldfish; Denien Vittorio Wilde;
"Who Will Feed My Goldfish?" is the story of a young girl who must face two different loses in her life; the loss of a beloved pet and the loss of a cherished younger brother. Lily finds that sometimes we do not always have answers to our questions. She discovers there is a place all creatures go after death where we are happy and have all we need; a place where we live with God. Lily learns that facing loss and expressing her grief are the first steps to healing her heart.
Helpful guide on helping children who are grieving.
Creative Interventions for Bereaved Children; Liana Lowenstein; A uniquely creative compilation of activities to help bereaved children express feelings of grief, diffuse traumatic reminders, address self-blame, commemorate the deceased, and learn coping strategies. Includes special activities for children dealing with the suicide or murder of a loved one. It covers a theoretical overview for practitioners, tips for caregivers and schools, and a ten-week curriculum for use in therapy or support groups. An invaluable resource for grief counselors, group facilitators, and school personnel.
Grief Bubble: Helping Kids Explore and Understand Grief (English and Spanish); Kerry DeBay;
A special book for children ages 6 and older who have experienced the death of someone special. The interactive format invites them to find expression for their thoughts and feelings, encouraging the exploration of their grief.
Healing your Grieving Heart for Kids; Alan D. Wolfelt;
Someone you love has died. This is probably a very sad and very hard time for you. The painful thoughts and feelings you have inside you are called grief. You need to let those thoughts and feelings out. Letting your grief is called mourning. This book will help you mourn in ways that feel comfortable for you. This book will help you feel better and live a happy, full life again. With sensitivity and insight, this series offers suggestions for healing activities that can help survivors learn to express their grief and mourn naturally. Acknowledging that death is a painful, ongoing part of life, they explain how people need to slow down, turn inward, embrace their feelings of loss, and seek and accept support when a loved one dies. Each book, geared for mourning adults, teens, or children, provides ideas and action-oriented tips that teach the basic principles of grief and healing. These ideas and activities are aimed at reducing the confusion, anxiety, and huge personal void so that the living can begin their lives again. Included in the books for teens and kids are age-appropriate activities that teach younger people that their thoughts are not only normal but necessary.
Healing your Grieving Heart Journal for Teens; Alan D. Wolfelt, Megan E. Wolfelt;
This unique guided journal encourages teens to learn about grief and mourning then write down their unique thoughts and feelings. Topics covered include: what makes each teen's grief unique; common feelings after a death; the six needs of mourning; capturing memories of the person who died; and achieving reconciliation.
If Only; Carole Geithner;
If thirteen-year-old Corinna Burdette could have one wish, she knows exactly what it would be. When most girls her age are hoping for new cell phones or prettier hair, Corinna wishes that her mother, Sophie, was alive again. She knows that dying is a normal part of life, but having her mother taken away from her the summer before eighth grade wasn't part of the plan. Now Corinna should do the unthinkable: concentrate in school, play soccer, and hang out with friends, all as if nothing has happened. Corinna's dad tries to help, but he's dealing with his own grief. Her friends try, but they don't know what to say. Classmates whisper about her because is "the girl whose mom died." While everyone else's life is moving along, Corinna feels hers has stopped - it's especially hard when, at any given moment, she feels like she might completely lose it. Even normal activities such as buying new clothes (her dad is clueless) or listening to music (which means sad songs) are laced with danger. But as Corinna's year progresses, surprising things begin to happen, including a discovery that leads to information she never knew about her mother. Part heartbreaking, part funny, and boundlessly hopeful, Carole Geithner's debut novel is nothing short of extraordinary.
Love Never Stops; Emilio Parga;
A Memory Book for Children by Emilio Parga, M.A. Founder of The Solace Tree, a center for grieving children in Reno, NV. A caring memory book for children of all ages. Guided headings include pages for children to write or draw.
Memories Live Forever (English and Spanish); Sharon Rugg;
This is a very special book -- the words and pictures were created for you by kids your own age. The book was made especially for you to help you remember someone very important in your life who has died. That person may be a parent, a grandparent, a brother or sister or maybe even a friend. Death brings many confusing feelings that are hard to talk about. The exercises in this book provide different ways for you to remember times shared with the special person who died. You may choose to do all of the exercises or only some of them. Treat this book as your personal diary which you have created just for yourself, and share it with others only if you want. Working through this memory book will be like going on a trip with the friend or family member who died. As you remember the special times, you will begin to understand your feelings better and will be able to share them with the important people in your life."
No New Baby (English and Spanish); Marilyn Gryte;
For Siblings Who Have a Brother or Sister Die Before Birth. A wise Grandmother explains that you are not to blame and we don't always have the answers. "Grandma took hold of my hand. She leaned over and picked something up off the ground. See this little bud? she asked. It was supposed to keep growing and turn into a flower. But it didn't, and no one knows why. Most little buds become flowers, but some don't. This one died. It will never be a flower now. I said." Offers some guidelines to parents on how to talk to your child about the loss of your baby.
Remember - A Child Remembers; Enid Samuel-Traisman,
M.S.W.; Remember... A Child Remembers is a write-in memory book for bereaved children age 8-12. This journal is a unique tool for children who are grieving over the death of someone they love. There are pages for writing about the person's life and death, a goodbye letter, a story about us, pages to draw the service, being angry, being happy, and many more. It will help the young person cope with the loss of a special relationship and keep the memories safely preserved.
Remembering Our Baby; Patti Keough;
A workbook for children whose brother or sister died. Includes pages for writing and drawing to help share thoughts and feelings. Begins with the family, finding out about the death, questions, and things to do to the baby. Ages 4-9. Revised 2006.
Sam’s Dad Died; Margaret Holmes;
After his father dies, Sam tells how he feels and what he can do so he doesn't hurt so much.
Someone Came Before You; Pat Schwiebert;
There are books for children to help them when the baby they are waiting for dies. And now there is a book for the child who comes after the one who died. It's a perfect gift just for them. It explains in a gentle way the parents' desire for a child and the sadness that comes over them when that baby dies. It then shares how the parents, with the help of the baby, get to the point of wanting another child to come into their lives. Recommended for age level 2 and up.
35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child; The Dougie Center;
This guidebook presents 35 simple and practical suggestions for supporting a grieving child. Drawn from the experiences of thousands of grieving children and teens about what helps and what doesn't. Learn what to expect from grieving children at different ages, how to provide safe outlets for children to express their thoughts and feelings, and how to support them during the memorial service, holidays and anniversary times. From the Introduction: "One of the most important things we've learned from children is that everyone grieves differently. Cultural traditions, religious beliefs, family experiences and personality differences all influence the way we choose to express our grief. Not all the suggestions in this guidebook will apply to your situation. Take what is useful and helpful for you. When in doubt, ask a child or teenager what helps. They will tell you."
Waterbugs and Dragonflies; Doris Sickney;
ColoringBook for Children – Explains death to young children.
We were Going to Have a Baby But had an Angel Instead; Pat Schwiebert;
A children’s book told from a young child’s perspective about the excitement and dreams of a coming baby, and the disappointment and sadness of a miscarriage. Beautiful ink and watercolor illustrations.
When Death Walks In; Mark Scrivani;
The most popular book for ages 13 up. Includes information about going back to school, dreams, friends and looks at ways of facing grief during the teen years. Gives important information about grief and what we can do about anger, sadness and all the emotions that come when death walks in.
When Families Grieve; Sesame Street;
This kit includes a Sesame Street DVD, a Guide for Parents and Caregivers, and a Children's Story. It is designed to help your family sort through complex emotions, remember the life of a loved one, and find strength in one another.
Where’s Our Baby; Oldfield;
A little boy is trying to make sense of the confusion surrounding the death of his baby sister. He must ask questions to the adults around him and find a way to interpret the things they do and say in order to find his own sense of peace.
Who will Feed My Goldfish; Denien Vittorio Wilde;
"Who Will Feed My Goldfish?" is the story of a young girl who must face two different loses in her life; the loss of a beloved pet and the loss of a cherished younger brother. Lily finds that sometimes we do not always have answers to our questions. She discovers there is a place all creatures go after death where we are happy and have all we need; a place where we live with God. Lily learns that facing loss and expressing her grief are the first steps to healing her heart.
Books for Parents, Friends, Teachers, Counselors or Medical Staff
Art of Being a Healing Presence; James E. Miller and Susan C. Cutshall;
"The Art of Being a Healing Presence" shows how a difference can be made in the lives of others by learning to be present in a way that is healing, nurturing, and potentially even transforming. Seven steps to being a healing present are explained, including opening oneself, making the intention, preparing a space, honoring the other, offering what you have to give, receiving the gifts that come, and living a life of wholeness and balance. The book includes whole pages of quotations interspersed throughout. It's full of essential information, yet still easy to read.
Being with Parents After Their Child or Baby Dies Pamphlet; Centering Corporation; Helpful guide on things to do to support the families.
Companioning at a Time of Perinatal Loss. A Guide for Nurses, Physicians; Jane Heustis/ Marcia Jenkins;
The OB unit is the only hospital environment where life begins and, sometimes, tragically ends. Staff must alternate masks of comedy and tragedy as they care for the estimated 2-4 percent of deliveries that end in the death of a baby. How can you help families mourn and begin to heal in the painful but precious hours after miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth and other forms of perinatal loss? Written by seasoned support nurses, this compassionate and practical guide offers a new model of bereavement care for nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains and other bedside obstetrics caregivers. Based on Dr. Alan Wolfelt's principles of companioning, the methods championed in this book--and illustrated through real-life stories--empower OB caregivers to truly understand and do what is best for each unique family.
Helping the Grieving Student, A Guide for Teachers; Dougy Center;
At some point, every teacher will encounter a student who has been affected by a death. This guidebook is an essential resource for elementary, middle and high school teachers, offering practical tips and information for how to respond to a death.
Journeying Through Grief; Stephen Ministeries;
Journeying through Grief is a set of four short books to send to people at four crucial times during the first year after the loss of a loved one. Author Kenneth C. Haugk writes in a warm, caring style, with short, easy-to-read chapters. He walks alongside the reader through the grief journey, sharing helpful insights about grief, biblical truths, and stories that provide comfort and reassurance.
When Families Grieve; Sesame Street;
This kit includes a Sesame Street DVD, a Guide for Parents and Caregivers, and a Children's Story. It is designed to help your family sort through complex emotions, remember the life of a loved one, and find strength in one another.
"The Art of Being a Healing Presence" shows how a difference can be made in the lives of others by learning to be present in a way that is healing, nurturing, and potentially even transforming. Seven steps to being a healing present are explained, including opening oneself, making the intention, preparing a space, honoring the other, offering what you have to give, receiving the gifts that come, and living a life of wholeness and balance. The book includes whole pages of quotations interspersed throughout. It's full of essential information, yet still easy to read.
Being with Parents After Their Child or Baby Dies Pamphlet; Centering Corporation; Helpful guide on things to do to support the families.
Companioning at a Time of Perinatal Loss. A Guide for Nurses, Physicians; Jane Heustis/ Marcia Jenkins;
The OB unit is the only hospital environment where life begins and, sometimes, tragically ends. Staff must alternate masks of comedy and tragedy as they care for the estimated 2-4 percent of deliveries that end in the death of a baby. How can you help families mourn and begin to heal in the painful but precious hours after miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth and other forms of perinatal loss? Written by seasoned support nurses, this compassionate and practical guide offers a new model of bereavement care for nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains and other bedside obstetrics caregivers. Based on Dr. Alan Wolfelt's principles of companioning, the methods championed in this book--and illustrated through real-life stories--empower OB caregivers to truly understand and do what is best for each unique family.
Helping the Grieving Student, A Guide for Teachers; Dougy Center;
At some point, every teacher will encounter a student who has been affected by a death. This guidebook is an essential resource for elementary, middle and high school teachers, offering practical tips and information for how to respond to a death.
Journeying Through Grief; Stephen Ministeries;
Journeying through Grief is a set of four short books to send to people at four crucial times during the first year after the loss of a loved one. Author Kenneth C. Haugk writes in a warm, caring style, with short, easy-to-read chapters. He walks alongside the reader through the grief journey, sharing helpful insights about grief, biblical truths, and stories that provide comfort and reassurance.
When Families Grieve; Sesame Street;
This kit includes a Sesame Street DVD, a Guide for Parents and Caregivers, and a Children's Story. It is designed to help your family sort through complex emotions, remember the life of a loved one, and find strength in one another.
Miscellaneous
Another Baby? Maybe; Maribeth Wilder Doerr/ Sherokee Ilse;
Another Baby? Maybe... is a new resource that provides suggestions and encouragement to bereaved parents contemplating or experiencing a pregnancy after miscarriage, infant loss or the death of an older child.
Coping with Holidays and Celebrations; Sherokee Ilse;
Coping with Holidays and Celebrations, by Sherokee Ilse, examines the difficulty one faces on holidays or at family gatherings after the loss of a child--it may be the anniversary of the baby's birth and/or death, a family reunion, Mother's/Father's Day, or the normal family traditions of religious holidays. This booklet examines the feelings that one may have on these occasions and offers suggestions in dealing with relatives or friends who may force participation "for your own good." It also contains dozens of positive and affirming suggestions for turning those difficult days toward inner reflection and even celebration of the baby.
Embraced by the Light; Betty J. Eadie;
Adding to such accounts as George Ritchie's Return from Tomorrow and Dr. Raymond A. Moody's Life After Life, Betty Eadie's experience offers astonishing proof of a life after physical death. She saw more, perhaps, than any other person has seen of the afterlife, and she came back with an almost photographic view. Betty was given a message to share with others that has filled millions with hope and a renewed desire to love. Embraced by The Light recounts the people she met, the truths she learned, and the magnificent realities of the spirit world. The book begins with Betty's descent after surgery into death. Her spirit leaves her body and travels toward a brilliant light whom she recognizes as Jesus Christ and who is waiting to greet her. Jesus tells her that she has died but that it is "not yet" her time. Before returning her to her earth life, Jesus sends her on a journey to learn about the spiritual laws that govern us in life--laws that are eternal, laws that if followed, bring God's peace and joy and love into our lives. In today's world of violence and uncertainty, the message of Embraced by The Light comforts troubled hearts. It reflects everyone's hope for wholeness, for happiness, for abundance in God's love which transforms every sorrow into joy.
Healing Your Grieving Heart After a Military Death; Wolfelt/Carroll;
When a loved one is killed in the line of duty, this book affirms, survivors’ guilt is shaped by the unique circumstances of the death. Because military deaths are almost always sudden and violent, the traumatic nature of the loss creates a two-part grief–one focused on the manner in which the person died, the other focused on the long-term repercussions of life without this special person.This guide also acknowledges the mixture of sadness, pride, anger, and blame that often characterizes grief after a military death and offers ideas for constructively expressing thoughts and feelings. Military suicide is also addressed. Anyone whose life has been touched by a military death will find compassionate understanding and healing guidance in these pages. Written by Dr. Wolfelt and Bonnie Carroll, founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS.
Heaven is for Real; Todd Burpo;
Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear. Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us. Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.
Hello from Heaven; Guggenheim;
Hello From Heaven! is the first complete study of an exciting new field of research called After-Death Communication, or ADC. This is a spiritual experience that occurs when a person is contacted directly and spontaneously by a family member or friend who has died. During their seven years of research, the authors collected more than 3,300 firsthand accounts from people who believe they have been contacted by a deceased loved one.
New Day Journal; Mauryeen O'Brien;
Through a series of reflections combined with writing and sharing activities suitable for groups or individuals, The New Day Journal helps people accept the reality of their loss.
Single Parent Grief; Sherokee Ilse;
For women and men who are single and dealing with the death of a child in miscarriage, as an infant or as an older child. From the Introduction: "When a baby or solder child dies, hearts break and arms ache. You have lost a lot and it isn't fair. The age of your child, your age, whether you are a single parent, or whether or not you are a woman or a man, doesn't make anything easier. What is common to everyone is the intensity of the feelings that assault you after such a loss. It reminds you of how vulnerable you are and increases your need to be loved and cared for by those who are close to you. Most resources are written for couples--either living together, married, or in a committed relationship. Single Parent Grief, however, is specifically written for single parents without a steady partner. It is meant to assist you in the early days of your loss. You will find helpful hints, resources and suggestions for places to turn and ways to seek the support you deserve and need."
Another Baby? Maybe... is a new resource that provides suggestions and encouragement to bereaved parents contemplating or experiencing a pregnancy after miscarriage, infant loss or the death of an older child.
Coping with Holidays and Celebrations; Sherokee Ilse;
Coping with Holidays and Celebrations, by Sherokee Ilse, examines the difficulty one faces on holidays or at family gatherings after the loss of a child--it may be the anniversary of the baby's birth and/or death, a family reunion, Mother's/Father's Day, or the normal family traditions of religious holidays. This booklet examines the feelings that one may have on these occasions and offers suggestions in dealing with relatives or friends who may force participation "for your own good." It also contains dozens of positive and affirming suggestions for turning those difficult days toward inner reflection and even celebration of the baby.
Embraced by the Light; Betty J. Eadie;
Adding to such accounts as George Ritchie's Return from Tomorrow and Dr. Raymond A. Moody's Life After Life, Betty Eadie's experience offers astonishing proof of a life after physical death. She saw more, perhaps, than any other person has seen of the afterlife, and she came back with an almost photographic view. Betty was given a message to share with others that has filled millions with hope and a renewed desire to love. Embraced by The Light recounts the people she met, the truths she learned, and the magnificent realities of the spirit world. The book begins with Betty's descent after surgery into death. Her spirit leaves her body and travels toward a brilliant light whom she recognizes as Jesus Christ and who is waiting to greet her. Jesus tells her that she has died but that it is "not yet" her time. Before returning her to her earth life, Jesus sends her on a journey to learn about the spiritual laws that govern us in life--laws that are eternal, laws that if followed, bring God's peace and joy and love into our lives. In today's world of violence and uncertainty, the message of Embraced by The Light comforts troubled hearts. It reflects everyone's hope for wholeness, for happiness, for abundance in God's love which transforms every sorrow into joy.
Healing Your Grieving Heart After a Military Death; Wolfelt/Carroll;
When a loved one is killed in the line of duty, this book affirms, survivors’ guilt is shaped by the unique circumstances of the death. Because military deaths are almost always sudden and violent, the traumatic nature of the loss creates a two-part grief–one focused on the manner in which the person died, the other focused on the long-term repercussions of life without this special person.This guide also acknowledges the mixture of sadness, pride, anger, and blame that often characterizes grief after a military death and offers ideas for constructively expressing thoughts and feelings. Military suicide is also addressed. Anyone whose life has been touched by a military death will find compassionate understanding and healing guidance in these pages. Written by Dr. Wolfelt and Bonnie Carroll, founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, or TAPS.
Heaven is for Real; Todd Burpo;
Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear. Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us. Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.
Hello from Heaven; Guggenheim;
Hello From Heaven! is the first complete study of an exciting new field of research called After-Death Communication, or ADC. This is a spiritual experience that occurs when a person is contacted directly and spontaneously by a family member or friend who has died. During their seven years of research, the authors collected more than 3,300 firsthand accounts from people who believe they have been contacted by a deceased loved one.
New Day Journal; Mauryeen O'Brien;
Through a series of reflections combined with writing and sharing activities suitable for groups or individuals, The New Day Journal helps people accept the reality of their loss.
Single Parent Grief; Sherokee Ilse;
For women and men who are single and dealing with the death of a child in miscarriage, as an infant or as an older child. From the Introduction: "When a baby or solder child dies, hearts break and arms ache. You have lost a lot and it isn't fair. The age of your child, your age, whether you are a single parent, or whether or not you are a woman or a man, doesn't make anything easier. What is common to everyone is the intensity of the feelings that assault you after such a loss. It reminds you of how vulnerable you are and increases your need to be loved and cared for by those who are close to you. Most resources are written for couples--either living together, married, or in a committed relationship. Single Parent Grief, however, is specifically written for single parents without a steady partner. It is meant to assist you in the early days of your loss. You will find helpful hints, resources and suggestions for places to turn and ways to seek the support you deserve and need."
WEBSITES
General Grief and Loss
AARP’s Grief and Loss
Offering articles, discussions, resources and tools for coping with grief and the loss of a loved one.
Addiction and Coping with Loss
In life, it is inevitable that you will cope with grief and loss. It can come in different forms, ranging from divorce and job loss to dealing with the death of a loved one. You may even experience grief if you are diagnosed with a serious disease like cancer. People going through these kinds of events in their lives are especially susceptible to addiction. Even when coping with loss, it is important to keep taking care of yourself, and not to turn to drugs and alcohol to numb out your pain.
The Bradley Center for Grieving Children and Families
The Bradley Center for Grieving Children and Families provides support for children, teens, young adults and their families following a death through peer support groups, training and education.
Dealing With Grief: A Step-By-Step Guide for Emotional Healing After the Unexpected Death of a Loved One
A death that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly can be a significant shock. Today, we are seeing an increase in unexpected losses with COVID. This loss can present unique challenges to a person’s healing process and cause an overwhelming amount of grief. One of the most important things for someone to remember is that healing looks different for everyone.
Dealing With Death, Grief, and Bereavement
The 7 stages of grieving.
Experiencing Grief in College
If your grief is causing a crisis situation and you don’t know which way to turn, this will help you meet your immediate needs.
Good Grief
Good Grief’s mission is to provide unlimited and free support to children, teens, young adults, and families after the death of a mother, father, sister, or brother through peer support programs, education, and advocacy.
GriefNet
An Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death and major loss.
GriefShare
GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life.
A Guide To Coping With Death & Grief
It offers plenty of valuable information such as:
Haven of Northern Virginia
A non-profit, non-sectarian community organization of trained volunteers that offer emotional support to the bereaved, the seriously ill, the dying and to their family and friends. Haven provides education to the community about the needs of those who are grieving. Offering one-to-one support, open and closed groups for widow/widowers, loss to suicide, general bereavement and children and teens who are grieving.
Helping Children with Grief
This article highlights a lot of great information on helping children recover after grieving from a traumatic event and can help them build a foundation to dealing with unpleasant events going forward in their lives.
Here's Some Tips That Will Help Your Kids Deal With Bereavement
It’s difficult explaining death to a child, especially the loss of a relative. You might have questions about how to begin the conversation, or you might feel uncertain about what to say. Naturally, you want to protect your child from feeling the same pain you are experiencing, but it is crucial that you speak honestly and openly about the situation. Helping your child understand grief and loss is best for their emotional health and well-being.
HOPE for Bereaved, Inc.
Provides hope, support and services for the bereaved.
National Cancer Institute
This patient summary on loss, grief, and bereavement is adapted from the summary written for health professionals by cancer experts.
National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
Entry from online medical encyclopedia including symptoms and treatments of grief, as well as links to support groups.
Offering articles, discussions, resources and tools for coping with grief and the loss of a loved one.
Addiction and Coping with Loss
In life, it is inevitable that you will cope with grief and loss. It can come in different forms, ranging from divorce and job loss to dealing with the death of a loved one. You may even experience grief if you are diagnosed with a serious disease like cancer. People going through these kinds of events in their lives are especially susceptible to addiction. Even when coping with loss, it is important to keep taking care of yourself, and not to turn to drugs and alcohol to numb out your pain.
The Bradley Center for Grieving Children and Families
The Bradley Center for Grieving Children and Families provides support for children, teens, young adults and their families following a death through peer support groups, training and education.
Dealing With Grief: A Step-By-Step Guide for Emotional Healing After the Unexpected Death of a Loved One
A death that occurs suddenly and unexpectedly can be a significant shock. Today, we are seeing an increase in unexpected losses with COVID. This loss can present unique challenges to a person’s healing process and cause an overwhelming amount of grief. One of the most important things for someone to remember is that healing looks different for everyone.
Dealing With Death, Grief, and Bereavement
The 7 stages of grieving.
Experiencing Grief in College
If your grief is causing a crisis situation and you don’t know which way to turn, this will help you meet your immediate needs.
Good Grief
Good Grief’s mission is to provide unlimited and free support to children, teens, young adults, and families after the death of a mother, father, sister, or brother through peer support programs, education, and advocacy.
GriefNet
An Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death and major loss.
GriefShare
GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life.
A Guide To Coping With Death & Grief
It offers plenty of valuable information such as:
- Understanding grief - learning about the five common stages of loss and grief how this can help a person be better prepared when the time comes that a loved one passes away.
- Advice on how to take care of yourself during loss and grief - knowing the significant but short-term effect of grief on the body and how staying active, eating well, and maintaining a regular lifestyle can help you stay healthy.
- Methods to show support in helping others grieve - how you can play a large part in helping children, a partner, friend, or family members cope with the death of a loved one.
- Other useful resources and information such as helplines and support communities that can be very helpful in times of loss.
Haven of Northern Virginia
A non-profit, non-sectarian community organization of trained volunteers that offer emotional support to the bereaved, the seriously ill, the dying and to their family and friends. Haven provides education to the community about the needs of those who are grieving. Offering one-to-one support, open and closed groups for widow/widowers, loss to suicide, general bereavement and children and teens who are grieving.
Helping Children with Grief
This article highlights a lot of great information on helping children recover after grieving from a traumatic event and can help them build a foundation to dealing with unpleasant events going forward in their lives.
Here's Some Tips That Will Help Your Kids Deal With Bereavement
It’s difficult explaining death to a child, especially the loss of a relative. You might have questions about how to begin the conversation, or you might feel uncertain about what to say. Naturally, you want to protect your child from feeling the same pain you are experiencing, but it is crucial that you speak honestly and openly about the situation. Helping your child understand grief and loss is best for their emotional health and well-being.
HOPE for Bereaved, Inc.
Provides hope, support and services for the bereaved.
National Cancer Institute
This patient summary on loss, grief, and bereavement is adapted from the summary written for health professionals by cancer experts.
National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
Entry from online medical encyclopedia including symptoms and treatments of grief, as well as links to support groups.
Death from Aids
CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s primary reference, referral, and publications distribution service for HIV and AIDS information. Services are aimed primarily at professionals.
P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD 20849-6003.
Phone (800) 458-5231.
TTY (800) 243-7012. E-mail: info@cdcnpin.org.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s primary reference, referral, and publications distribution service for HIV and AIDS information. Services are aimed primarily at professionals.
P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD 20849-6003.
Phone (800) 458-5231.
TTY (800) 243-7012. E-mail: info@cdcnpin.org.
Death of Armed Forces or Law Enforcement Officer
COPS—Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.
Nationwide non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal government criteria.
TAPS—Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc.
National non-profit organization made up of, and providing services to, all those whose loved one has died while serving in the Armed Forces.
Nationwide non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal government criteria.
TAPS—Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc.
National non-profit organization made up of, and providing services to, all those whose loved one has died while serving in the Armed Forces.
Death from Cancer
American Cancer Society
Information on cancer, including coping with a long-term illness and dealing with grief and loss after death from cancer.
Candelighters, Childhood Cancer Foundation
A national non-profit membership organization whose mission is to educate, support, serve, and advocate for families of children with cancer, survivors of childhood cancer, and the professionals who care for them.
Information on cancer, including coping with a long-term illness and dealing with grief and loss after death from cancer.
Candelighters, Childhood Cancer Foundation
A national non-profit membership organization whose mission is to educate, support, serve, and advocate for families of children with cancer, survivors of childhood cancer, and the professionals who care for them.
Death of a Child/Children
Alive Alone
Organization for bereaved parents, whose only child or all children are deceased.
BP/USA—Bereaved Parents of the USA
Nationwide organization designed to aid and support bereaved parents and their families who are struggling to survive their grief after the death of a child.
Compassionate Friends
Grief Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family. In-Person and On-Line Support
EVERMORE
EVERMORE supports all families who have lost a child by building a more holistic societal support system, implementing policies during a time of deep pain, and advancing the science of parent and family bereavement.
MADD—Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
MADD’s mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.
M.S.S. Foundation (Mothers In Sympathy and Support)
Offers support to families in crisis after the death from any cause of a baby or young child.
POMC—Parents of Murdered Children, Inc.
POMC® makes the difference through on-going emotional support, education, prevention, advocacy, and awareness.
Organization for bereaved parents, whose only child or all children are deceased.
BP/USA—Bereaved Parents of the USA
Nationwide organization designed to aid and support bereaved parents and their families who are struggling to survive their grief after the death of a child.
Compassionate Friends
Grief Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family. In-Person and On-Line Support
EVERMORE
EVERMORE supports all families who have lost a child by building a more holistic societal support system, implementing policies during a time of deep pain, and advancing the science of parent and family bereavement.
MADD—Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
MADD’s mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.
M.S.S. Foundation (Mothers In Sympathy and Support)
Offers support to families in crisis after the death from any cause of a baby or young child.
POMC—Parents of Murdered Children, Inc.
POMC® makes the difference through on-going emotional support, education, prevention, advocacy, and awareness.
Death of an Infant
First Candle/SIDS Alliance
SIDS and Other Infant Death bereavement services are a critical component of the Alliance’s mission.
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
Free of charge remembrance photographs for families that lose a baby at birth.
SIDS Network
Web site of information about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Infant Death (SIDS/OID).
SIDS and Other Infant Death bereavement services are a critical component of the Alliance’s mission.
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep
Free of charge remembrance photographs for families that lose a baby at birth.
SIDS Network
Web site of information about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Infant Death (SIDS/OID).
Death of a Parent(s)
Death of a Sibling
Death of a Spouse/Partner
AARP’s Grief and Loss
A collection of articles and resources including “On Being Alone: A Guide for the Newly Widowed.”
Financial Guide for Widows: Building Credit
All in all, more than 700,000 women become widowed each year in the United States. Losing a spouse can be emotionally devastating in so many ways, not limited to the financial gaps that may be left from the loss of a partner.
A collection of articles and resources including “On Being Alone: A Guide for the Newly Widowed.”
Financial Guide for Widows: Building Credit
All in all, more than 700,000 women become widowed each year in the United States. Losing a spouse can be emotionally devastating in so many ways, not limited to the financial gaps that may be left from the loss of a partner.
For Elderly People
ElderHope, LLC
Dying, death and grief information targeted to the elderly, including an online class on grief.
Dying, death and grief information targeted to the elderly, including an online class on grief.
For Homicide Survivors
National Center for Victims of Crime
Information and resources for those who have had a loved one murdered.
2000 M Street NW, Suite 480
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 467-8700
National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
1757 Park Rd., Washington, DC 20010
Phone (202) 232-6682 or (800) 879-6682. Email info@trynova.org
Office of Victims of Crime Resource Center, National Criminal Justice Reference Service, US Dept. of Justice
POMC’s vision is to provide support and assistance to all survivors of homicide victims while working to create a world free of murder.
Box 600, Rockville, MD 20850
Phone (800) 851-3420
POMC (Parents of Murdered Children)
POMC’s vision is to provide support and assistance to all survivors of homicide victims while working to create a world free of murder.
Information and resources for those who have had a loved one murdered.
2000 M Street NW, Suite 480
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 467-8700
National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)
1757 Park Rd., Washington, DC 20010
Phone (202) 232-6682 or (800) 879-6682. Email info@trynova.org
Office of Victims of Crime Resource Center, National Criminal Justice Reference Service, US Dept. of Justice
POMC’s vision is to provide support and assistance to all survivors of homicide victims while working to create a world free of murder.
Box 600, Rockville, MD 20850
Phone (800) 851-3420
POMC (Parents of Murdered Children)
POMC’s vision is to provide support and assistance to all survivors of homicide victims while working to create a world free of murder.
For Suicide Survivors
Friends for Survival, Inc.
Friends For Survival, Inc. is a national non-profit outreach organization open to those who have lost family or friends by suicide and also to professionals who work with those who have been touched by a suicide tragedy.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Provides programs and resources for survivors of suicide loss and people with mood disorders, and involves them in the work of the Foundation.
Friends For Survival, Inc. is a national non-profit outreach organization open to those who have lost family or friends by suicide and also to professionals who work with those who have been touched by a suicide tragedy.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Provides programs and resources for survivors of suicide loss and people with mood disorders, and involves them in the work of the Foundation.