20 Best Books For Grief (2023 Update)

Updated to commemorate its 20th anniversary, this classic resource further explores the effects of grief and sheds new light on how to begin to take effective actions to complete the grieving process and work towards recovery and happiness. – incomplete recovery from grief can have a lifelong negative effect on the capacity for happiness. drawing from their own histories as well as from others', the authors illustrate how it is possible to recover from grief and regain energy and spontaneity. based on a proven program, the grief recovery handbook offers grievers the specific actions needed to move beyond loss. new material in this edition includes guidance for dealing with:· loss of faith· loss of career and financial issues· loss of health· growing up in an alcoholic or dysfunctional home – the grief recovery handbook is a groundbreaking, classic handbook that everyone should have in their library. “this book is required for all my classes. the more i use this book, the more i believe that unresolved grief is the major underlying issue in most people’s lives. it is the only work of its kind that i know of that outlines the problem and provides the solution.”—bernard mc – grane, ph. – d., professor of sociology, chapman university

The star of tlc’s long island medium and new york times bestselling author theresa caputo provides a guide to overcoming grief, filled with inspiring lessons from spirit and astonishing stories from the clients who have been empowered by theresa’s spiritual readings.after more than a decade of being a practicing medium, theresa caputo brings the powerful lessons she has learned about grief, healing, and finding happiness in the wake of tragedy. in almost every reading she gives, spirit insists that people begin to embrace their lives again. easily said, but not everyone knows where to begin, and putting back together the pieces of a life marked by loss is never easy. sometimes, you need spiritual guidance—that's where theresa comes in. with her energetic, positive, and encouraging tone, theresa uses the lessons from spirit to guide you through grief toward a place of solace and healing. each lesson is grounded in her clients' stories as they share the experience of losing their loved ones, their encounters with spirit during readings, and the ways in which they’ve been able to heal and grow. each chapter is filled with activities to help you find your “new normal”—including journal entries, individual and group exercises, meditations, and moments of reflection—based on the truths that theresa has gathered from spirit. good grief will help you to feel stronger and more optimistic about what the future has in store for you.

Updated to commemorate its 20th anniversary, this classic resource further explores the effects of grief and sheds new light on how to begin to take effective actions to complete the grieving process and work towards recovery and happiness. – incomplete recovery from grief can have a lifelong negative effect on the capacity for happiness. drawing from their own histories as well as from others', the authors illustrate how it is possible to recover from grief and regain energy and spontaneity. based on a proven program, the grief recovery handbook offers grievers the specific actions needed to move beyond loss. new material in this edition includes guidance for dealing with:· loss of faith· loss of career and financial issues· loss of health· growing up in an alcoholic or dysfunctional home – the grief recovery handbook is a groundbreaking, classic handbook that everyone should have in their library. “this book is required for all my classes. the more i use this book, the more i believe that unresolved grief is the major underlying issue in most people’s lives. it is the only work of its kind that i know of that outlines the problem and provides the solution.”—bernard mc – grane, ph. – d., professor of sociology, chapman university

"puts into words exactly what my heart felt after the loss of my spouse." – page bratcher, grief and divorce recovery coachthis loss changes everything. the loss of a life partner can be traumatic. oblivious to our suffering, the world around us speeds on as if nothing happened. our hearts are broken. our souls shake. our broken, grieving hearts need it to survive.multiple award-winning author, hospice chaplain, and grief counselor gary roe is a trusted voice who has been helping wounded, grieving hearts find hope and healing for more than three decades. written with heartfelt compassion, this warm, easy-to-read, and practical book reads like a caring conversation with a friend and will become a comforting companion as you navigate the turbulent waters of grief.gary's desire is to meet you in your grief and walk with you there. composed of brief chapters, comfort for the grieving spouse's heart is designed to be read one chapter per day, giving you bite-sized bits of comfort, encouragement, and healing over a period of time. you do not have to read it this way, of course. read in the way that is most natural for you. in comfort for the grieving spouse's heart, you will discover how to… process complicated grief emotions (sadness, anger, guilt, confusion, guilt, anxiety, depression, feeling overwhelmed, etc). navigate all the relational changes – feeling alone, misunderstood, isolated, and even rejected by those around you. handle the increased stress and uncertainty that this heavy loss can bring. deal with physical and mental health issues, illnesses, and new symptoms that often arise. take care of yourself through diet, hydration, fitness, and rest. deal with a myriad of practical issues (financial challenges, parenting, family activities), handle the intense, deep loneliness that often comes with this loss. you will also find hope in how to… think through the challenging spiritual and faith questions that frequently surface. relate well to the people around you – those who are helpful and those who aren't. overcome the tendency to run from emotional pain with unhealthy habits or compulsive behaviors. deal well with triggers and the grief bursts that will come. find the support you need for survival, recovery, and healing (safe people, fellow grievers, counseling, etc.). develop a simple, realistic plan for birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. use your grief for good – for yourself, your family, and others. allow this loss to give you greater perspective and motivate you to live more effectively than ever before. make your life count, one day, one moment at a time. please don't grieve alone. let comfort for the grieving spouse's heart join you on this arduous, tasking journey. be kind to yourself. take your heart seriously. death has invaded, but it doesn't have to win. read on. comfort awaits you in these pages of this book.

When author and counselor h. norman wright’s beloved wife, joyce, passed away, he grieved the loss of his partner and the life they shared. even in his state of sorrow, he knew he had to find a way to live without joyce, to forge a hopeful path, and to move forward in god’s grace and strength.with vulnerability and emotional insight, norm shares from his deeply personal journey and illuminates the way back to living when someone you love is gone. readers who have lost their spouse will discover support and guidance as theywork through anger, including anger at god, to ease toward god’s peacemove away from denial and “what ifs” to move forwardallow memories to provide comfort without getting stuck in the pastcreate a healthy new, daily routine to care for themselvesturn their new identity and life over to god’s leading and mercythis tender and inspirational book will help any reader who is grieving or who is walking alongside a grieving friend.

How does the heart understand grief when it is broken by the death of a husband or wife? to survive and live forward, those who grieve must find answers. inside the broken heart is for anyone who has ever grieved the death of a spouse and asked 'why?' the book meets the reader at a spiritual place reserved specifically for widows and widowers. author julie yarbrough survived the sudden and untimely death of her beloved husband, a prominent united methodist minister. as a lay grief facilitator, she believes that those who seek comfort and inspiration in grief best identify with an authentic point of view. spousal love is a sacred gift ordained by god, the death of husband or wife unlike any other experience of loss. the marriage vow moment 'until death do us part' forever changes those who survive. grief cannot be understood until it is experienced. grief is not a crisis of faith, it is a crisis of the heart. inside the broken heart uses topical references from the bible to illuminate the unfamiliar emotions and questions of grief for the surviving spouse. as journey through 'the valley of the shadow of death,' inside the broken heart guides the way back to fullness of life. through rediscovery of hope, pain and sorrow are vanquished, death is rendered powerless, and grief is no more. "julie yarbrough has walked through the valley of the shadow of death and experienced the pain and anguish of great grief, and she knows firsthand the comfort and strength that only god can provide. i commend this remarkable grief ministry program to you highly." james w. moore, pastor in residence, highland park united methodist church, dallas, texas "with wisdom informed by her own experience and a warm regard for those who grieve, julie yarbrough guides the brokenhearted on an honest journey toward acceptance and hope. a refreshingly excellent resource for grief support." stephan bauman, senior minister, christ church new york city "julie yarbrough weaves understanding, care, and comfort together in such a way that the seemingly intolerable becomes tolerable, one breath at a time. this resource provides everything you need to promote, establish, and conduct grief groups throughout the year." judith bone, director of adult discipleship, brentwood united methodist church, nashville, tennessee

Stay connected to your person, yourself, and the world around you in the aftermath of loss. modern loss is all about eradicating the stigma and awkwardness around grief while also focusing on our capacity for resilience and finding meaning. in this interactive guide, modern loss cofounder rebecca soffer offers candid, practical, and witty advice for confronting a future without your person, honoring their memory, dealing with trigger days, managing your professional life, and navigating new and existing relationships. you'll find no worn-out platitudes or empty assurances here. with prompts, creative projects, innovative rituals, therapeutic-based exercises, and more, this is the place to explore the messy, long arc of loss on your own timeline–and without judgment.

A collection of more than three hundred short writings that offer compassion, comfort, and guidance to people who have lost a loved one.

Jennette mccurdy details how she overcame harrowing struggles as a child tv star—including anorexia and bulimia, addiction, severe obsessive-compulsive disorder and a traumatic relationship with her mother. a heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by icarly and sam & cat star jennette mccurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life. jennette mccurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. so she went along with what mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. she endured extensive at-home makeovers while mom chided, “your eyelashes are invisible, okay? you think dakota fanning doesn’t tint hers?” she was even showered by mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income. in i’m glad my mom died, jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. cast in a new nickelodeon series called icarly, she is thrust into fame. though mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“hi gale!”), jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. these issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the icarly spinoff sam & cat alongside ariana grande, her mother dies of cancer. finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants. told with refreshing candor and dark humor, i’m glad my mom died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.

A grief like no other is the book no one wants to ever have to buy; sadly, many people continue to need it. from 9/11 to cindy sheehan's son – from mass tragedies like the recent london bombings to law and order type crimes that make the news only to be replaced by another name. as such, more people are left with the aftermath of dealing with the violent death of a loved one. it brings its own special brand of grieving since victim's families can spend years dealing with legal ramifications, guilt, and a myriad of other circumstances that don't accompany "normal" deaths. kathleen o'hara knows both sides of this coin. as a therapist, she has counseled hundreds of people dealing with grief. as a mother, she saw her worst fears realized when her college-aged son was brutally murdered in 1999. in the aftermath of aaron's murder, o'hara developed the seven stage journey that is at the heart of a grief like no other. although this is a book for those left behind in the aftermath of violence, it offers concrete and practical steps and stages, allowing family and friends safe passage through this incredibly harrowing journey.

An illustrated journal for meeting grief with honesty and kindness—honoring loss, rather than packing it awaywith her breakout book it’s ok that you’re not ok, megan devine struck a chord with thousands of readers through her honest, validating approach to grief. in her same direct, no-platitudes style, she now offers how to carry what can’t be fixed—a journal filled with unique, creative ways to open a dialogue with grief itself. “being allowed to tell the truth about your grief is an incredibly powerful act,” she says. “this journal enables you to tell your whole story, without the need to tack on a happy ending where there isn’t one.” grief is a natural response to death and loss—it’s not an illness to be cured or a problem to be fixed. this workbook contains no clichés, timetables, or checklists of stages to get through; it won’t help you “move past” or put your loss behind you. instead, you’ll find encouragement, self-care exercises, and daily tools, including: – writing prompts to help you honor your pain and heartbreak – on-the-spot practices for tough situations—like grocery store trips, the sleepless nights, and being the “awkward guest” – the art of healthy distraction and self-care – what you can do when you worry that “moving on” means “letting go of love” – practical advice for fielding the dreaded “how are you doing?” question – what it means to find meaning in your loss – how to hold joy and grief at the same time – tear-and-share resources to help you educate friends and allies – the “griever’s bill of rights,” and much moreyour grief, like your love, belongs to you. no one has the right to dictate, judge, or dismiss what is yours to live. how to carry what can’t be fixed is a journal and everyday companion to help you enter a conversation with your grief, find your own truth, and live into the life you didn’t ask for—but is here nonetheless.

"once in a generation, a book comes along that alters the way society views a topic. when children grieve is an essential primer for parents and others who interact with children on a regular basis." — bernard mc – grane, ph. – d., professor of sociology, chapman university and u.c. irvine – the first–and definitive–guide to helping children really deal with loss from the authors of the the grief recovery handbook – following deaths, divorces, pet loss, or the confusion of major relocation, many adults tell their children "don't feel bad." in fact, say the authors of the bestselling the grief recovery handbook, feeling bad or sad is precisely the appropriate emotion attached to sad events. encouraging a child to bypass grief without completion can cause unseen long-term damage. – when children grieve helps parents break through the misinformation that surrounds the topic of grief. it pinpoints the six major myths that hamper children in adapting to life's inevitable losses. practical and compassionate, it guides parents in creating emotional safety and spells out specific actions to help children move forward successfully.

Getting older goes hand in hand with losses of many kinds—ending careers, empty nests, illness, the deaths of loved ones—and this book by one of the world's most beloved grief experts helps one acknowledge and mourn the many losses of aging while also offering advice for living better in old age. the 100 practical tips and activities address the emotional, spiritual, cognitive, social, and physical needs of seniors who want to age authentically and gracefully, and each idea also includes a seize-the-day action to live fully and with joy in the present moment. for those who've just entered their 50s or are well on their way to the century mark, this book promises elder-friendly tips for comfort, laughter, and inspiration.

If you are grieving the death of a friend, do something for yourself. take the time to read this book. it isn't very long – there aren't a lot of words – but you may find the help you need to cope with your sadness and begin to heal. author marilyn gootman has seen her own children suffer from the death of a friend, and she knows what teenagers go through when another teen dies. let her genuine understanding, gentle advice, and compassionate wisdom guide you through the next few days, weeks, or months. if you're a parent or teacher of a teen who has experienced a painful loss, this book is for you, too.

Gently, with warm, consoling, and practical guidance, doug manning addresses the painful, often disorientation aftermath of the death of a loved one, helping the bereaved cope with the emotions and confront the decisions that are an inevitable part of this time of radical life adjustment. beginning with the premise that "grief is not an enemy; it is a friend. it is the natural process of walking through the hurt and growing through the walk," manning helps readers face up to grief, move through it, and learn to live again.with the first shock of loss, a survivor is faced with what seems like an overwhelming number of arrangements that must be made immediately. don't take my grief away is a complete, helpful handbook covering such important areas as the choice of a minister, family dynamics during such stressful times, and personalizing the funeral service.

James van praagh's first two books, both new york times bestsellers, have been a powerful healing force for millions of readers. using his talents as a medium, van praagh has not only helped the bereaved reach their lost loved ones and find peace but he has also illuminated the mysteries of death, the afterlife, and rebirth. his new book, healing grief, will once again draw from his compelling and uplifting readings, but with a new and special purpose- to show what the spirit world can teach us about the grieving process itself.while grief is clearly a natural response to death, it should also properly accompany life's other difficult passages, including times of transition, the loss of a relationship, or even the loss of a pet. healing grief begins with chapters that each examine a specific kind of loss – death of a parent, a spouse, or a child, the end of a marriage, or the onset of a troubling life change, such as unemployment or grave illness – and considers the particular bereavement issues it may engender. the book also offers advice on explaining death to children, on distinguishing healthy from destructive grief, and on harnessing the powers of healing through special exercises, meditation and affirmations. healing grief should be, in van praagh's words, "a manual for grieving well," offering an inspiring new perspective on grief from a world-renowned medium who has become an expert at helping people cope with unresolvable sorrow.

For those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, here are strength and thoughtful words to inspire and comfort.

With more than three million copies in print, discover timeless wisdom for all who grieve the loss of a job, a friendship, a move, or a loved one. – for more than fifty years good grief has helped millions of readers, including nfl players and a former first lady, find comfort, understand their emotions and regain hope after loss. this classic text identifies ten stages of grief — shock, emotion, depression, physical distress, panic, guilt, anger, resistance, hope, and acceptance — but recognizing that grief is complex and deeply personal, defines no "right" way to grieve. – good grief offers valuable insights on the emotional and physical responses persons may experience during the natural process of grieving something as small as a change in plans to something as traumatic and final as death. reflection questions sprinkled throughout the book help readers explore their own experience with each stage of the grieving process. – good grief includes a foreword by dr. timothy johnson, a leading communicator of medical health care information. an afterword by the author's daughters tells how the book came to be. – whether mourning the death of a loved one, the end of a marriage, moving to a new home, or other difficult life changes, good grief is a proven steady companion in times of loss and transition.

Only god knows what it takes to walk down dark roads and to fight the good fight of faith. ruby and her family have walked a close walk with god in direct opposition to hopelessness and the ugliness of cancer, and through joy in the mourning, have brought us with her. this is a book of the faithfulness of god almighty. this is a book of compassion, understanding, and hope for those who have faced and are face-to-face with the ugliness of cancer. retirement isn't far away, the kids are grown up, and the grandchildren are coming along. life is looking good suddenly your dreams and plans take a nosedive and it's all you can do to breathe deeply and take one step at a time. is it possible to hold onto faith in the face of dire circumstances? will you ever feel joy bubbling up inside you again? when a hope-filled solution is presented to you your spirits soar, only to come crashing down again when failure raises its ugly head. you go to the only place where faith, hope, and joy can be restored. even there you find you will need to make a choice: walk or wallow? sing or sigh? help or hurt? what will you choose? about the author: ruby (heppner) wiebe is a retired homemaker whose passion is to support and encourage those struggling with life's hardships. her greatest joys are spending time with children and grandchildren and hosting family and friends in her home. since her remarriage, she and her husband make their home in lac la biche, alberta.

"in this groundbreaking new work, david kessler-an expert on grief and the coauthor with elisabeth kèubler-ross of the iconic on grief and grieving-journeys beyond the classic five stages to discover a sixth stage: meaning"–