Coping with / advice about death and bereavement Books

Book SynopsisIntroducing the Collins Modern Classics, a series featuring some of the most significant books of recent times, books that shed light on the human experience classics which will endure for generations to come.A single person is missing for you, and the whole world is emptyJohn Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion saw their daughter fall ill. At first they thought it was flu, then she was placed on life support. Days later, the Dunnes were sitting down to dinner when John suffered a massive and fatal coronary.This powerful book is Didion's attempt to make sense of the weeks and then months that cut loose any fixed idea I ever had about death, about illness'. The result is a personal yet universal portrait of marriage and life, in good times and bad, from one of the defining voices of American literature.Beautiful and devastating Didion has always been a precise, humane and meticulously truthful writer, but on the subject of death she becomes essential' Zadie SmithTrade Review‘It is the most awesome performance of both participating in, and watching, an event. Even though Didion does not allow herself to break down, only a terribly controlled reader will resist doing the same’ Independent ‘Ultimately, and unexpectedly for a book about illness and death, this is a wonderfully life-affirming book’ Observer ‘Searing, informative and affecting. Don’t leave life without it’ Financial Times ‘This is a beautiful and devastating book by one of the finest writers we have. Didion has always been a precise, humane and meticulously truthful writer, but on the subject of death she becomes essential.’ Zadie Smith ‘Taking the reader to places where they would not otherwise go is one of the things a really good book can do. The Year of Magical Thinking does just that, and brilliantly. Powerful, moving and true’ Spectator ‘A great book, a great work. Angular, exact, pressured and tough, precise as a diamond drill bit’ Nick Laird

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Book SynopsisA journal for meeting grief with honesty and kindness-honoring loss, rather than packing it away With 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 a problem to be fixed. This workbook contains no cliches, timetables, or checklists of stages to get through; it won't help you "move on" or put your loss behind you. Instead, you'll find encouragement, self-care exercises, daily tools, tear-and-share resources to help you educate friends and allies, and prompts to help you honor your pain and heartbreak. "Your grief has an intelligence of its own," Devine writes. "Let it tell you what it knows." With How to Carry What Can't Be Fixed, this pioneering author brings you an essential resource 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.

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Book SynopsisTen years after Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's death, a commemorative paperback edition of her beloved ground-breaking classic on the five stages of grief

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Book SynopsisAs featured on BBC Radio 4'Funny and touching' Sunday Times'Extraordinary' Observer'Full of both wisdom and humour' Julia Samuel'Funny, moving, brave' Jeremy Bowen'I had the privilege to conduct Simon's last broadcast interview - knowing his wise words on the page could live on afterwards' Emma Barnett*****READER REVIEWS'Simon's cheerful voice comes through every page''An absolute gift of a book ... This book has the potential to change your life''Stunning'It isn't quite 'Don't buy any green bananas'. But it's close to 'Don't start any long books'. In his mid-40s, Simon Boas was diagnosed with incurable cancer it had been caught too late, and spread around his body. But he was determined to die as he had learned to live optimistically, thinking the best of people, and prioritising what really matters in life. In A Beginner's Guide to DyingSimon considers and collates the things that have given him such a great sense of peace and contentment, and why dying at 46 really isn't so ba

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Book SynopsisThe perennial classic: this intimate journal chronicling the Narnia author''s experience of grief after his wife''s death has consoled readers for half a century with its ''sensitive and eloquent'' magic (Hilary Mantel)''An intimate, anguished account of a man grappling with the mysteries of faith and love ... Elegant and raw ... A powerful record of thought and emotion experienced in real time.'' Guardian ''Raw and modern ... This unsentimental, even bracing, account of one man's dialogue with despair becomes both compelling and consoling ... A contemporary classic.'' Observer''A source of great consolation ... Lewis deploys his genius for vivid imagery ... It is a relief for the reader to find that he or she is not alone in the intense loneliness or feelings of anguish that bereavement brings.'' Henry Marsh, The Times''Testimony from a sensitive and eloquent witness [on] The Human Condition'. It offers an interrogation of experience and a glimmer of hardwon hope. It allows one bewildered mind to reach out to another. Death is no barrier to that.'' Hilary Mantel''Here, sorrow and despair, the tiredness and numbness and petulance and nightmarishness of grief, all have their full, uncontrolled, experienced force ... [Such] radical openness ... Brilliant.'' Francis Spufford***No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.Narnia author C.S. Lewis had been married to his wife for four blissful years. When she died of cancer, he found himself alone, inconsolable in his grief. In this intimate journal, he chronicles the aftermath of the bereavement and mourning with blazing honesty. He grapples with a crisis of religious faith, navigating hope, rage, despair, and love - but eventually regains his bearings, finding his way back to life.A luminous modern classic, A Grief Observed has offered solace to countless readers for decades. This companion edition combines the original text with personal responses from Hilary Mantel, Rowan Williams, Francis Spufford, Maureen Freely, Kate Saunders, Jessica Martin and Jenna Bailey.***What readers are saying:''A truly great book - inspirational and untold help.'' ''Every human being, living or dead, understands what Lewis means ... One of the most valuable books ever written.'' ''Lewis, as always, sits down next to you and validates your grief like a true friend. He lets you rage, and cry, and even be furious with God, just as he did.''''If you are grieving an enormous loss, you may find comfort here ... A great mind and wonderful writer who understands your grief well enough to put words to it.''''His journal was also my journal as I worked through my own grief. Reading this book was actually comforting in that I knew that someone else understood my situation and offered insight and hope ... I highly recommend this book for anyone who has gone through the death of a loved one or who wants to comfort. ''This little book has had me in floods of tears [and] shows a real understanding of grief ... To read the words of this great man who shared and understood my pain and is a life affirming and faith affirming experience.''

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Book SynopsisIf you love, you will grieve—and nothing is more mysteriously central to becoming fully human. Dr. Cacciatore is featured in the 2021 documentary series The Me You Can’t See, from Oprah, Prince Harry, and Apple TV. Bearing the Unbearable is a Foreword INDIES Award-Winner — Gold Medal for Self-Help. __ 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. Now available as an online course from the Wisdom Academy and as a journal in Bearing the Unbearable: A Guided Journal for Grieving.

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Book SynopsisA new memoir from Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author Cathy Glass.When Cathy receives a call about a terminally ill widower terrified of leaving his son all alone in the world, she is wracked with sadness and indecision. Can she risk exposing her own young children to a little boy on the brink of bereavement?Eight year old Michael is part of a family of two, but with his beloved father given only months to live and his mother having died when he was a toddler, he could soon become an orphan. Will Cathy's own young family be able to handle a child in mourning? To Cathy's surprise, her children insist that this boy deserves to be as happy as they are, prompting Cathy to welcome Michael into her home.A cheerful and carefree new member of the family, Michael devotedly prays every night, believing that when the time is right, angels will come and take his Daddy to be with his Mummy in heaven. However, incredibly, in the weeks that pass, the bond between Cathy's family, MichaeTrade ReviewREVIEWS FOR GIRL IN THE MIRROR ‘A moving read that Cathy Glass fans will devour.’ The Sun REVIEWS FOR DAMAGED ‘Cannot fail to move those who read it.’ Adoption-net ‘Heartbreaking.’ The Mirror ‘A truly harrowing read that made me cry.’ The Sun ‘A true tale of hope.****.’ OK! Foster carers rarely get the praise they deserve, but Cathy Glass’s book should change all that.****’ First magazine ‘A hugely touching and emotional true tale.’ Star magazine

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Theresa Caputo, star of Long Island Medium and Raising Spirits provides a guide to overcoming grief, filled with inspiring lessons from Spirit and astonishing stories from the clients who have been empowered and healed by her spiritual readings.After more than a decade of being a practicing medium, Theresa Caputo shares 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. But not everyone knows where to start, and putting back together the pieces of a life marked by loss is never easy. Sometimes, you need spiritual guidance—and 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’ experiences of losing 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 journaling, individual and group exercises, meditations, and moments of reflection—based on the truths that Theresa has gathered from Spirit. Good Grief—“an excellent resource for those who wish to be in communication with deceased loved ones” (Library Journal)—will help you to feel stronger and more optimistic about what the future has in store for you.Trade Review“An excellent resource for those who wish to be in communication with deceased loved ones.” * Library Journal *"Comforting and quite touching. I felt oddly close to my own dead parents as I read along." * New York Times Book Review *

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Book Synopsis"Beautifully written and wise … [Martin Prechtel] offers stories that are precious and life-sustaining. Read carefully, and listen deeply."—Mary Oliver, National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winnerInspiring hope, solace, and courage in living through our losses, author Martín Prechtel, trained in the Tzutujil Maya shamanic tradition, shares profound insights on the relationship between grief and praise in our culture--how the inability that many of us have to grieve and weep properly for the dead is deeply linked with the inability to give praise for living. In modern society, grief is something that we usually experience in private, alone, and without the support of a community. Yet, as Prechtel says, "Grief expressed out loud for someone we have lost, or a country or home we have lost, is in itself the greatest praise we could ever give them. Grief is praise, because it is the natural way love honors what it misses."Prechtel explains that the unexpressed grief prevalent in our society today is the reason for many of the social, cultural, and individual maladies that we are currently experiencing. According to Prechtel, "When you have two centuries of people who have not properly grieved the things that they have lost, the grief shows up as ghosts that inhabit their grandchildren." These "ghosts," he says, can also manifest as disease in the form of tumors, which the Maya refer to as "solidified tears," or in the form of behavioral issues and depression. He goes on to show how this collective, unexpressed energy is the long-held grief of our ancestors manifesting itself, and the work that can be done to liberate this energy so we can heal from the trauma of loss, war, and suffering.At base, this "little book," as the author calls it, can be seen as a companion of encouragement, a little extra light for those deep and noble parts in all of us.

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Book SynopsisA poem to mortality and the beauty of how we can cope with it.Atul Gawande, author of Being MortalNew York Timesbestselling artist Wendy MacNaughton shares wisdom from hospice caregivers: how to be, when to help, what to saywith full-color drawings throughout.As artist-in-residence at the Zen Hospice Project Guest House in San Francisco, Wendy MacNaughton witnessed firsthand how difficult it is to know what to do when we're sharing final moments with a loved one. In this tenderly illustrated guide to saying goodbye, MacNaughton shows how to make sure those moments are meaningful. Using a framework of the five things taught to her by a professional caregiver, How to Say Goodbye provides a model for having conversations of love, respect, and closure: with the words I forgive you, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love you, and Goodbye, each oriented toward finding mutual peace and understanding when it matters most.With a foreword by renowned physician and author BJ Miller, and practical resources, How to Say Goodbye features MacNaughton's drawn-from-life artwork from both the Zen Hospice Project Guest House and her own aunt's bedside as she died, paired with gentle advice from hospice caregivers on creating a positive sensory experience, acknowledging what you can't control, and sharing memories and gratitude. A poignant guide to embracing the present and deepening relationships during great vulnerability, How to Say Goodbye shows that just as there is no one right way to live a good life, there is no one right way to say goodbye. Whether we're confused, scared, or uncertain, this book is a starting point.

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Passionate advocate for end-of-life care and TikTok star Hadley Vlahos shares moving stories of joy, wisdom, and redemption from her patients’ final moments in this “brilliant” (Zibby Owens, Good Morning America) memoir. “This extraordinary book helps dispel fear around death and dying—revealing it to be a natural part of our soul’s evolution.”—Laura Lynne Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Signs and The Light Between UsTalking about death and dying is considered taboo in polite company, and even in the medical field. Our ideas about dying are confusing at best: Will our memories flash before our eyes? Regrets consume our thoughts? Does a bright light appear at the end of a tunnel? For most people, it will be a slower process, one eased with preparedness, good humor, and a bit of faith. At the forefront of changing attitudes around palliative care is hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos, who shows that end-of-life care can teach us just as much about how to live as it does about how we die. Vlahos was raised in a strict religious household, but began questioning her beliefs in high school after the sudden death of a friend. When she got pregnant at nineteen, she was shunned by her community and enrolled herself in nursing school to be able to support herself and her baby. But nursing soon became more than a job: when she focused on palliative care and hospice work, it became a calling.  In The In-Between, Vlahos recounts the most impactful experiences she’s had with the people she’s worked with—from the woman who never once questioned her faith until she was close to death, to the older man seeing visions of his late daughter, to the young patient who laments that she spent too much of her short life worrying about what others thought of her—while also sharing her own fascinating journey. Written with profound insight, humility, and respect, The In-Between is a heartrending memoir that shows how caring for others can transform a life while also offering wisdom and comfort for those dealing with loss and providing inspiration for how to live now.

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Book SynopsisDieWisedoes not offer seven steps for coping with death. It does not suggest ways to makedyingeasier. It pours no honey to make the medicine go down. Instead, with lyrical prose, deep wisdom, and stories from his two decades of working withdyingpeople and their families, StephenJenkinsonplaces death at the center of the page and asks us to behold it in all its painful beauty. DieWiseteaches the skills ofdying, skills that have to be learned in the course of living deeply and well.DieWiseis for those who will fail to live forever.Dyingwell,Jenkinsonwrites, is a right and responsibility of everyone.It is not a lifestyle option.It is a moral, political, and spiritual obligation each person owes their ancestors and their heirs.DieWisedreams such a dream, and plots such an uprising.How wedie, how we care fordyingpeople, and how we carry our dead: this work makesour capacity fora village-mindedness, or breaks it.Table of ContentsThe Ordeal of a Managed DeathStealing Meaning from DyingThe Tyrant HopeThe Quality of LifeYes, But Not Like ThisThe WorkSo Who Are the Dying to You?Dying Facing HomeWhat Dying Asks of Us AllKidsAh, My Friend the Enemy

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Book SynopsisWhen Abraham Verghese, a physician whose marriage is unravelling, relocates to Texas, he hopes to make a fresh start as a staff member at a county hospital. There he meets David Smith, a medical student recovering from a drug addiction, and the two men begin a tennis ritual that allows them to shed their inhibitions and find security, in the sport they love and in each other. But when the dark beast that is David''s addiction emerges once again, almost everything Verghese has come to trust and believe in is threatened. Compassionate and moving, The Tennis Player is an unforgettable, illuminating story of how men live and how they survive.Trade ReviewVerghese is a fine writer, lyrical and controlled, and he captures the attachment between two men - its motives, its allure - with both precision and charm... Wise and compassionate * New York Times Book Review *A brave and heart-baring story * Time *Heartbreaking... Indelible and haunting... An elegy to friendship found and an ode to a good friend lost * Boston Globe *

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Book SynopsisAS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4 'A GOOD READ' THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER 'GAWANDE'S MOST POWERFUL, AND MOVING, BOOK' MALCOLM GLADWELL 'BEING MORTAL IS NOT ONLY WISE AND DEEPLY MOVING; IT IS AN ESSENTIAL AND INSIGHTFUL BOOK FOR OUR TIMES' OLIVER SACKS For most of human history, death was a common, ever-present possibility. It didn't matter whether you were five or fifty - every day was a roll of the dice. But now, as medical advances push the boundaries of survival further each year, we have become increasingly detached from the reality of being mortal. So here is a book about the modern experience of mortality - about what it's like to get old and die, how medicine has changed this and how it hasn't, where our ideas about death have gone wrong. With his trademark mix of perceptiveness and sensitivity, Atul Gawande outlines a story that crosses the globe, as he examines his experiences as a surgeon and those of his patients and family, and learns to accept the limits of what he can do. Never before has aging been such an important topic. The systems that we have put in place to manage our mortality are manifestly failing; but, as Gawande reveals, it doesn't have to be this way. The ultimate goal, after all, is not a good death, but a good life - all the way to the very end.Trade ReviewAn impassioned, broad-ranging and deeply personal exploration * Guardian *Medicine, Being Mortal reminds us, has prepared itself for life but not for death. This is Atul Gawande's most powerful, and moving, book -- Malcolm GladwellDr Gawande writes very well, his book Is deeply humane and I learnt much from it -- Theodor Dalrymple * Times *In this eloquent, moving book Atul Gawande ... explains how and why modern medicine has turned the end of life into something so horrible ... Many passages in "Being Mortal" will bring a lump to the throat, but Dr Gawande also visits places offering a better way to manage life's end * Economist *We have come to medicalize aging, frailty and death, treating them as if they were just one more medical problem to overcome. It is not just medicine that is needed in one's declining years, but life -a life with meaning, a life as rich and full as possible under the circumstances. Being Mortal is not only wise and deeply moving; it is an essential and insightful book for our times, as one would expect from Atul Gawande, one of our finest physician writers. -- Oliver SacksIt is rare to read a book that sparks so much hard thinking. In my case, it has opened to door to discussions with close relatives about how they wish to spend their final days - conversations that we should surely all be having, however difficult they are to start -- Linda Geddes * New Scientist *Gawande is hoping to change the medical profession, not human nature, and to do so in a way that is important to us all. His book is so impressive that one can believe that it may well contribute to that end... May it be widely read and inwardly digested -- Diana Athill * Financial Times *Atul Gawande's wise and courageous book raises the questions that none of us wants to think about...Gawande's concern and dedication shine from every page... that alliance of human feeling with medical knowledge aptly symbolises this remarkable book -- John Carey * Sunday Times *There is an extraordinary ethical tone to this book and it's a tone that increases and magnifies ... I was in floods of tears, it was so beautifully told. I think this is such an important book.... Everyone needs to read this book -- Alex Preston * Saturday Review BBC Radio 4 *A book that everyone should read -- Razia Iqbal * Saturday Review BBC Radio 4 *Beautifully written, humane, moving. -- Abigail Morris, Director of the Jewish Museum * Saturday Review BBC Radio 4 *This humane and beautifully written book is a manifesto that could radically improve the lives of the aged and the terminally ill -- Leyla Sanai * Independent *It is to his tremendous credit that Gawande has turned his attention to mortality. We need people of such outstanding intelligence and compassion to consider the ever-growing problems associated with our ageing population. -- Cressida Connolly * Spectator *His latest book, written with is customary warmth and panache, is a plea to the medical profession and the rest of us to shift away from simply fighting for longer life towards fighting for the things that make life meaningful -- Geraldine Bedell * Observer *Inspirational and humane, essential reading. * Irish Times *A fascinating blend of memoir, research, philosophy and personal encounters with patients, he crafts precise, scalpel-sharp prose, creating a powerful narrative about end-of-life choices. * Sydney Morning Herald *A deeply affecting, urgently important book - one not just about dying and the limits of medicine, but about living to the last with autonomy, dignity and joy. -- Katherine Boo, author of * Behind the Beautiful Forevers *Moving, principled and though-provoking. * Daily Express *

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Book SynopsisMeghan O'Rourke was thirty-two when her mother died of cancer on Christmas Day, 2008. As a writer, even in the depths of her grief, she was fascinated by what she observed of herself in the aftermath: the rage she felt, not only at what had happened to her mother, but also at the inability of people to acknowledge her pain; her sense that the meaning of her life had changed fundamentally with the loss of a parent; the way that the reassuringly familiar often became somehow completely new and strange. The Long Goodbye interleaves personal recollections of her much-loved mother with an examination of what it means to grieve in a society which no longer has the rituals - or even, most of the time, the desire - to engage with grief, to understand it, and to let it do both its worst - and its best.Trade ReviewEmotionally acute, strikingly empathetic, thorough and unstinting intellectually, and of course elegantly wrought. But it's above all a useful book, for life -- the good bits and the sad ones, too. Richard Ford 'A beautiful memoir about ...loss of a truly irreplaceable mother--yes, it is sad, it is in fact heartrending, but it is many things more: courageous, inspiring, wonderfully intelligent and informed, and an intimate portrait of an American family as well Joyce Carol Oates In her blazingly honest, relentlessly brave memoir Meghan O'Rourke takes on the strange, impossible time after a parent's death. I couldn't recommend this elegant and fearless book more highly to anyone who has, or has had, a mother. Katie Roiphe, author of Uncommon Arrangements

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Book SynopsisA delicious story that wraps itself around your heart' Evie Woods, bestselling author of The Lost BookshopIt's been three years, two weeks and one day since Kate Shaw's life changed forever. Three years, two weeks and one day that Kate has been angry with herself and life.But today is different. Different because Kate has finally taken the step she's been avoidingback into the kitchen. Now, what begins as a (disastrous) attempt to make pancakes becomes a culinary journey that is not only a love letter to someone so important to her, but also an unexpected means of connection to a community she never knew she hadReaders are loving The Secret Ingredient:????? It''s a long time since a book provoked this much emotional attachment absolutely wonderful'????? A love story on so many levels It made me cry a lot but it was also uplifting and a real feel good read. Definitely one to curl up with and read in one go!'????? Beautifully heralds the importance of friendship and connections during Trade Review⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Filled with fabulous recipes, The Secret Ingredient had me crying over the heartbreak, laughing with newfound joy, and loving every bite’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I read it in one sitting as it’s impossible to put down… this book will touch your heart’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This book has so much heart and a wealth of charm, it is cosy and comforting but not maudlin or cloying’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Make sure you have a box of tissues close by. You will be smiling through your tears. A wonderful book about loving, losing people and finding a way to carry on’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Warmth radiates from every word of this book. A few words with a stranger, finding surprising new friends and shared good food made with loving hands are all we need to release the magic of life, to recover from tragedy, to recall the joy of memories past and taste freshly bake new ones’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Filled to the brim with yummy recipes, lovely friendships formed over soul-warming food and generally a lovely writing style. This book was an absolute treat!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘The author writes about deep grief so beautifully and tenderly it crushed my heart. But she follows it with sparks of life and hope’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘It really made me appreciate how food is connected with memories. We all have those meals that remind us of a moment in our childhood, our wedding day, or in remembering a favorite meal of a loved one since passed. This book makes me want to create my own recipe book playbook of memories made past, present, & future’

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Book SynopsisHow can you lose the love of your life, but gain the greatest love you can ever know?In this gripping memoir, Louise Blyth charts the love story she shared with her husband and shares how it prematurely toppled into grief, pain and enlightenment.Hope Is Coming documents what happened when thirty-three-year-old George, a stoical and dynamic father of two, was diagnosed with advanced cancer. Told through letters, love notes and text messages, this true-story shares beautiful insight into one of life's biggest milestones. It tenderly provokes a deeper look inside our hearts and shines a light on some of life's biggest questions. The couple's story highlights the strength and fortitude of the human spirit, whilst also teaching that peace and connection with God can emerge from sadness. This book will speak to all of those who have loved, lost and search for the meaning of life in death.Trade ReviewThought-provoking, uplifting and inspiring. -- Stacey Heale

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Book SynopsisA practical and compassionate guide to physically, emotionally, and spiritually caring for the dying. Just as we might prepare a nest for one about to give birth, so can we lovingly prepare a nest for one who is dying. In this practical and compassionate guide, death doula educator Anne-Marie Keppel incorporates ancient and modern death doula techniques, mindfulness practices, and herbal support to show how anyone can physically, emotionally, and spiritually care for the dying, whether at home, in hospice, or even in the ICU. Seeking to demystify the dying process, she explains what the body physically undergoes during the end of life and shares techniques to physically care for the dying, including methods to assist bedridden individuals. She presents practices for emotional soothing, breathing techniques to reduce anxiety and pain, and ways to reduce stress during the active dying process. She shares ceremony and energetic boundary guidelines, Reiki and ancestral support techniques, and herbal care for nourishing and healing on a spirit level. Providing support for caregivers and loved ones as well, Anne-Marie explores self-care methods for moving with grief, ideas for “things to do” when there is nothing to do, and mindfulness practices for contemplating your own mortality. She also offers visualisations and techniques for talking with children about death and dying. Sharing glimpses into the world of spirit to reveal the poignancy of the dying process, the author shows that death is a sacred rite of passage we all experience.Trade Review“Anne-Marie uses the image of nest building to introduce ways to build protective circles of care for dying persons and their loved ones. Her writing is tender and loving. She draws on the insights of psychology, spirituality, and ancient wisdom and also includes a discussion of practical care issues stemming from her years of experience. It is refreshing to encounter an author sensitive to the need for literature on end-of-life issues to confront its rather privileged perspective and begin to address the cultural, class, gender, and racial disparities in end-of-life care. Death Nesting will be a valuable support for families facing the loss of a loved one.” * Judith L. Lief, Buddhist teacher, student and editor of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and author of *“Anne-Marie has gifted us with an informative, holistic, and comprehensive guide to tending to those who are in the dying season of their lives. The practical guidance, mindfulness practices, herbal recommendations, and storytelling offered in Death Nesting empower us to support one another to create a dying experience that reflects our unique lived experience.” * Aditi Sethi, M.D., hospice and palliative care physician, end-of-life doula, and executive director *“A resource guide that will transcend your view on death, dying, and how to be in companionship with Death. This beautiful, sensitive guide is filled with knowledge delivered with tenderness and takes the reader through a journey of learning about stages of death, ways caregivers can be supportive during the transition process, caregiver and client meditations, and calming practices. Anne-Marie has gently normalized a subject seldom addressed, so openly. Written for anyone who may be curious about death work, caregivers, and for all of us who will have that familiar, yet unfamiliar, knock on the door from the intimate stranger we call Death.” * Sonya-Prajna Patrick, Ph.D., death-tending doula, magick/conjure worker, and bone reader *“Anne-Marie’s way of navigating death and grief is intentional, nourishing, loving, meditative, and healing. With an attitude of humility and reverence for this sacred passage, her words evoke a sensuous experience for the reader, as she brings to life the essence of death doula service. I highly recommend Death Nesting to anyone interested in mindfully holding space for their loved one or for themselves through the process of death.” * Jade Brunel, founder of WAO Tea and author of Tea, Remembering the Essence of Life *“Death Nesting is a compassionate manual on approaching death consciously—both our own death and the deaths of those we love. Through the pages of this helpful book, death educator and doula Anne-Marie Keppel gives readers the tools needed to turn the end-of-life process into a beautiful and healing experience. Filled with love and spirit this is a book I will be recommending to my clients whether they are facing death or grieving the loss of a loved one.” * Salicrow, psychic medium and author of Spirit Speaker *“As explained in Death Nesting, dying can be a time of unknowing while also a journey best guided by deep wisdom and trust—both of which are bolstered by Keppel’s anecdotes and explanations. This mindfully constructed book of knowledge gently encourages readers to let go of rigid logic and control as well as embrace all that can be anticipated during the end of life, covering an array of topics from the ineffable to the highly practical and so much in between.” * Francesca Lynn Arnoldy, community doula and author of The Death Doula’s Guide to Living Fully *“Keppel’s heart-centered, community-based philosophy establishes her as a leader in the emerging holistic deathcare movement. I recommend Death Nesting to all aspiring death doulas, medical professionals serving in end-of-life spaces, hospice volunteers, and, most especially, home caregivers. This is a bedside companion for the tender journey as we walk one another home.” * Jade Adgate, death midwife and curator at the Farewell Library *“Anne-Marie offers loads of wise and practical guidance for helping, holding, and mindful presence through all that this passage brings for the doula, the dying, and for those who must let them go. Whatever your belief about the afterlife, whatever your previous experience with death and dying, this book invites you to the crossroads, where life meets death—a sacred place of deep gravitas, transformation, and remembrance.” * Fearn Lickfield, director of the Green Mountain Druid School and Dreamland Sanctuary *“This is the book those who gravitate toward or find themselves thrust into the death space need. Exploring age-old territory with fresh eyes, Anne-Marie Keppel has encapsulated for us the essence of active caring in full practical and loving description.” * Lee Webster, funeral reform advocate and director of New Hampshire Funeral Resources & Education *“Death Nesting is refreshing, enlightening, and captivating. It dares to talk deeply and thoroughly about a subject that’s barely touched in our society, yet it’s a reality that we are all going to have to deal with. This book gives the reader a thoughtful and human perspective on confronting death.” * Rafael Olivares, M.D., volunteer for Doctors of the World *Death Nesting: The Heart-Centered Practices of a Death Doula provides an excellent addition to a growing cannon of works revolving around the field of Death Care. Anne-Marie Keppel presents the subject in a practical yet engaging manner that draws the reader into awareness. This is a book that encourages active learning and participation on the part of caregivers and death doulas who seek to assist in the honorable act of being present and holding space for the dying. * Clio Arjana, FacingNorth.net *Table of ContentsForeword by Karen Wyatt, M.D. An Introduction to Death Nesting About This Book One Beyond Advance Directives Take NotesMore than Just Paperwork Two Preparing the Nest Establishing the Protective ShellPreparing the Inner NestCaregiving’s Inner CircleSecret NestingWeathering Our Dying Three Dying Is a Sensory ExperienceHearingSmellTasteSightTouch Four What the Physical Body Does during the Dying Process Aches and PainsTemperatureBreathing and Heart RateEating, Digestion, and EliminationHandwashingWound CareSponge BathingMoisturizingBedding and Lying in BedWhat to Pack in a Hospital Bag Five Mind, Spirit, and Emotion in the Dying Process Suggestions for Mental SoothingPsychedelics and Virtual Reality ListeningAncestor ComfortsTying Together a TimelineSleep, Rest, and SeparationTime, Space, and RhythmSpiritual SupportReiki for the DyingA Time for ShrinesSix Discomforts during Caregiving Expressing the Very DifficultWords Are Not Always What Is NeededWhen What Is Happening Is Against Your DesiresWhat to Do When There Is Nothing to DoLanguage Barriers in the Dying ProcessMedical Aid in DyingComing Upon an Accident or Sudden Death Seven Talking with Children about Death and Dying Tiny Deaths and Big DeathsA Child’s Tool KitPet and Animal Deaths Eight After the Last Breath Home Funerals and Body CareShould the DeadAttend Their Own Funerals?The Good FuneralHerbs for Remembrance and CeremonyMoving with GriefMeditation for Dissolving into the ElementsAppendix: The Ancient and Modern Death DoulaResources for Death, Dying, and Stretching Your MindAbout the AuthorIndex

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Book SynopsisIn Ordinary Deaths, Dr. Samuel LeBaron reminds us of our need for human connection when experiencing death and loss. Based on more than thirty years of working with children and adults dying from cancer, LeBaron’s memoir contains stories of longing, confusion, love, and humility—often woven together. Sharing recollections from his childhood in rural Alberta and experiences from his career, LeBaron reveals a life of vital, intimate connection with others. His employment at a morgue during medical school, his early years as a clinical psychologist, and later careers in primary care and hospice in California, all translate into compassion and a deep understanding of death. Writing as he faces his own terminal illness—Stage IV lung cancer—LeBaron helps readers find acceptance and solace.Trade ReviewSamuel LeBaron … has collected his lessons from a lifelong dance with death into a profound memoir…. LeBaron’s recollections brim with emotional insights, celebrate the virtue of honesty between caregiver and patient, and authentically depict the value of letting each person find their particular way to peace and acceptance…. Ordinary Deaths reminds us that each individual’s path to death is as different and unique as their own life has been. In our death-denying world, that is extraordinary indeed.” John Terauds, Quill & Quire, August 31, 2022 [Full review at https://quillandquire.com/review/ordinary-deaths-stories-from-memory/]"Writing [Ordinary Deaths] was a 15-year process made all the more poignant by the fact that LeBaron is, himself, dying. Two and a half years ago, LeBaron was diagnosed with stage-4 lung cancer…. LeBaron’s ability to hold space for the uncertainty, mystery and doubts we have about dying is anything but ordinary." Deb Cummings, Alumni News, October 10, 2022 [Full article at https://alumni.ucalgary.ca/news/ordinary-deaths-anything]"Through LeBaron’s stories and the filter of his imagination, we witness his experiences as psychologist, physician and person. His clinical testimony makes us reflect: We may not want to look at death, but we can’t look away from it either. Our fascination with the death of others is often accompanied by the denial of our own death.... But the book is more than a memoir of how to face death: Ordinary Deaths is about how to face life." Tony Errichetti, The Intima, October 24, 2022 [Full review at https://www.theintima.org/book-reviews-intima/ordinarydeathbysamuellebaron]Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Magic Medicine 2. Worms 3. Voices 4. Under Water 5. In the Barn 6. Aunt Margie 7. Charlie Gough 8. In the Field 9. To Tell the Truth 10. The Laughing Cure 11. La Llorona 12. Día de Muertos 13. Second Chances 14. Permission to Breathe 15. The Ferryman 16. Winterreise 17. Fathers 18. Lost Horses 19. The River Styx 20. Dream Baby 21. Safe Harbor 22. The Tillandsia Epilogue  Notes Appreciations"

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Book SynopsisThis innovative guide to the chakras explains how grief and trauma impacts on every level of our being, and provides the tools to help clients experiencing trauma and grief by influencing, balancing and nurturing the chakra system.The book provides thorough and clear explorations of each chakra, their connections to each other, and tantric ways of working with energy. It features over 100 expressive and experiential exercises to remedy the ill-effects of grief and trauma, including yoga poses, mudras, pranayama (breath exercises), journaling, creation of ritual, use of essential oils and crystals and stones. Drawing on expertise as a licensed counselor, psychotherapist and yoga therapist, and personal experience as a bereaved mother, the author shares the teachings, practices and philosophies of yoga's ancient wisdom in a new way, and shows how to sustain personal chakra balancing that will resonate through all areas of life.Trade ReviewKarla Hebert does not back away from the depth and complexity of grief and trauma, a territory she knows well. Here is a book that understands the darkness and offers an equally deep understanding of a system that can help us find balance, even when healing seems impossible. What I love most about this book, is that it is not written to "fix" you or your grief, but rather welcomes and understands that your loss will always be part of you. If you are struggling, you will want this book by your bedside, guiding you back into balance. Hebert's compassionate understanding is boundless, as is her wisdom of the ancient Tantric systems that can restore body, mind and spirit to equanimity after tragedy. If you are a healing professional, The Chakras in Grief and Trauma lays a foundation for a timeless approach to helping your clients return to a life where joy and gratitude can be fearlessly embraced alongside loss and grief. -- Amy Weintraub, Founder of LifeForce Yoga, author of Yoga Skills for Therapists and Yoga for DepressionThe Chakras in Grief and Trauma by Karla Helbert is an invaluable resource for those who are grieving or suffering trauma. By providing an introduction to the Chakra system, the book is accessible and relatable to anyone-from novice to master healer. I recently lost my father, and by applying a few of the practical techniques outlined within, I was able to not only acknowledge but lessen the anxiety and physical pain I felt as a result of my grief. For the bereaved, our world has changed, and with it, our energy, and our relationship to the world. This book offers multiple approaches to balancing the energy flowing through our bodies. It was extremely helpful. There are so many activities, no matter how you learn or process, there's something for everyone. The author knows of what she speaks. Her wisdom comes from personal experience and years of study. Her positive energy informs every page. -- Michele Young-Stone, author of O Magazine's Reading Room pick Lost in the Beehive and Above Us Only Sky.Grief is like a circle of energy. The circle, the chakraic shape of grief, is always moving, infinitely spiraling in one direction or another, or simply moving in its place, round and round. Karla Helbert has moved with this energy of catastrophic loss and has directed it beautifully into its fullest potential with this book. While we cannot stop the energy of grief from its movement, we can learn how to be with it and allow it to transform into a bigger kind of energy: the kind of energy with which we can cope, the kind of energy that is productive and meaningful rather than destruction and absent of meaning. With tenderness and compassion, Karla introduces the reader to ancient wisdom, colors, oils, and stones for example, that pushes back against a more modern, medicalized approach to grief. Cover to cover, this book honors the circular energy, the chakras, in grief and teaches us to muster the courage to stay with it as the motion transforms our very being into beauty that stands beside the pain. -- Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, PhD, author of Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief, Founder of the MISS Foundation and the Selah Respite House and CarefarmAll those who have gone through grief and loss know that being expected to move on, as Karla writes, does not always work and might in fact be painful. It robs you from the space of fully being with your feelings and memories. In essence all you long for is to be yourself, and for the other to meet you with utter love and respect. There is no need for fixing, yet there is an inner longing of Being. The strongest message in this book is Karla's sharing of direct experience of feeling lost, how she stopped trying. This reveals the depth of the spiritual seeker, that one who is seeking to be inspired in finding freedom. This is the true meaning of all Vedic scriptures, to develop a relationship with your Inner Teacher and to let that guide you. The practical and sacred tools offered in this book, are open invitations. You get to choose which tool speaks to your heart and for that to guide you back to a state of serenity. I highly recommend this book for anyone experiencing loss, and walk your spiritual path, one step at a time. -- Chinnamasta Stiles, C-IAYT, NAMA-CAYT, PK, LMT, PCPN-AC, Founder at Shiva Shakti LokaA masterful blend of yogic wisdom, grief theory, and trauma-informed therapy, The Chakras in Grief and Trauma offers clear instructions on how to use the body's natural energy system to take back your power, restore balance, and rediscover your true self after the unthinkable has happened. Karla Helbert offers hope and compassionate guidance to those facing what feels like an insurmountable challenge, while shining a light on aspects of grief and trauma that are often left in the shadows. From self-care practices including aromatherapy and yoga, to easy-to-understand explanations of this complex topic, I am amazed at how much wisdom is packed into this one book! I recommend it to anyone working with trauma and grief - either personally or as a helping professional, including trauma therapists, yoga professionals and body workers. -- Heather Stang, MA, C-IAYT Mindfulness & Grief Author & Podcast HostThe Chakras in Grief and Trauma is a tender triumph. Intimate knowledge of multiple strands of yoga are woven together here to create a cohesive approach to grounding, healing and growth. This provides a framework for connective creativity and the possibility of refining this as a compassionate and practical art form. I love this book for valuing the details of peoples' experiences and the necessity of learning how to reconnect. It is a profoundly valuable contribution to the integration of yoga and contemporary psychotherapy. -- Todd Zemek, Clinical Psychologist & Yoga Teacher, Creator of YogaPsychology.comKarla Helbert has written the essential guidebook for anyone whose life has been impacted by grief and trauma. Rooted in wisdom traditions and backed by modern science, The Chakras in Grief and Trauma is a roadmap to healing and wholeness; destined to be a classic. -- r. R. Keith Bell Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, Author of Refilling the Chalice: How to Heal from BurnoutThe Chakras in Grief and Trauma, is an in-depth journey offering wisdom rooted in Karla's own story of love, loss, and post-traumatic growth. The author's clinical skills, teaching experience, and subtle bodywork knowledge culminates into a comprehensive guide for healing. Karla holds the door wide open for the possibility of healing physically, emotionally and spiritually. The seven chakra energetic cycles accompanied with tantra yoga, meditation exercises, and recommendations for utilizing essential oils and crystals, comes together in rhythmic cadence. The accompanying illustrations and charts enhance clear understanding and demonstrate proper form. As an essential oil therapist and energy worker for several decades, I am in awe of her selection of oils for each chakra and demonstration for usage. I highly recommend this powerful book to everyone experiencing grief, loss and trauma. -- Katie Buggs, Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Reiki Master, Cranial Sacral practitioner, holistic educator, owner of katybugs healingsense, author of katybugs PLANTSENSE deck with manualBefore losing my 20-year-old son Charles to suicide, I had not met grief. Since then, I have come to understand it's not my enemy but a connection to the one I love and lost. This book opened my eyes to a different kind of spiritual healing that allows me to embrace the journey, acknowledge and manage the emotional pain in a way that is healthy for my mind and my body. It offers tools to manage grief with love and grace. -- Anne Moss Rogers, writer & public speaker, founder of Beacon Tree Foundation and EmotionallyNaked.comThe Chakras in Grief and Trauma joins deep understanding of the chakras with instruction for helpful application to an individual's journey through times of grief and trauma. As a therapist who works with folks navigating these difficult waters, I find it extremely helpful. I love this book. It is a gift for all of us who engage with clients experiencing grief and trauma, in energy work and in therapy. Those who teach chakra material will also find that they can learn so much about how these events impact the energy system. I have such appreciation for this amazing book. It's a joy to read. -- Barbara H. Davis, LPC, FAMI, Reiki Master, Turning Point CounselingWhen grief and trauma occur, Western doctors too often turn to pharmaceuticals, which only suppress the emotions, which in turn prolongs the grieving instead of assisting it to its own natural stage of acceptance. If you are grieving and if you love yoga and resonate to the chakra system, Karla Helbert has laid out a beautiful methodology for walking your body and soul through the grieving process. -- Joy Gardner, author of Vibrational Healing Through the ChakrasTable of ContentsIntroduction. 1. Muladhara (Root Chakra). 2. Svadisthana (Sacral Chakra). 3. Manipura (Solar Plexus Chakra). 4. Anahata (Heart Chakra). 5. Vishuddha (Throat Chakra). 6. Ajna (Third Eye Chakra). 7. Svadisthana (Crown Chakra). References. Appendices.

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Book SynopsisWhat happens to us as we die? Discover the answers in this exclusive 25th anniversary edition of Sherwin B Nuland's seminal book With a foreword by Paul Kalanithi, bestselling author of When Breath Becomes Air.There are many books intended to help people deal with the trauma of bereavement, but few which explore the reality of death itself. Sherwin B. Nuland - with over thirty years'' experience as a surgeon - explains in detail the processes which take place in the body and strips away many illusions about death. The result is a unique and compelling book, addressing the one final fact that all of us must confront.''I don''t know of any writer or scientist who has shown us the face of death as clearly, honestly and compassionately as Sherwin Nuland does here''Trade ReviewHow We Die is a classic of medical writing. It’s at once scientific and accessible, precise and philosophical, elegant and blunt. Sherwin Nuland introduced a new kind of writing with this book, and his insights sparkle as much now as they did twenty-five years ago. They address not only how we die, but also how we can live. -- Andrew SolomonHow We Die teaches and gives us the courage to come to terms with our own death. As difficult as the facts may be, it shows us they are less frightening than our imagination. It is a book that should be read by all. -- Julia Samuel, author of Grief Works

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Book SynopsisOscar the cat lives on the third floor of a nursing home in Rhode Island, USA. At first glance Oscar doesn''t seem special. He''s plain to look at. He''s aloof. Like most cats, he''s partial to treats and catnip. But in the summer of 2007 Oscar made headlines around the world. So what''s so unusual about Oscar? He knows when the hospice patients are going to die. Dr Dosa''s job is to respond to people''s medical needs, treat them for their ailments and communicate with their families. Oscar takes care of the rest. He is a steady companion as patients descend into death. He is with them when they die. And, because of him, they don''t die alone. Can a cat really predict death? Is he smelling something or responding to behavioural clues? Is he helping guide souls to heaven? Oscar''s warm and profound story - of his uncanny ability to see death coming, of his steadfast and non-judgmental commitment to sit with patients as they die, of his quiet compassion - is a metaphor for what is imp

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Book SynopsisWe all sit on the edge of a mystery. We have only known this life, so dying scares us-and we are all dying. But what if dying were perfectly safe? What would it look like if you could approach dying with curiosity and love, in service of other beings? Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush began their friendship more than four decades ago at the foot of their guru, Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji. After impacting millions of people through the years with their teachings, these friends reunited to share an extraordinary dialogue on the dying process-which became the foundation for Walking Each Other Home. In this book, published just a year before Ram Dass passed, readers will learn about: guidelines for being a "loving rock" for the dying, how to grieve fully and authentically, how to transform a fear of death, leaving a spiritual legacy, creating a sacred space for dying, and much more. "Everybody you have ever loved is a part of the fabric of your being now," says Ram Dass. The body may die, but the soul remains. Death is an invitation to a new kind of relationship, in the place where we are all One. Experience a profound exploration by two lifelong friends and spiritual luminaries on what it means to live and die consciously, remember who we really are, and illuminate the path we walk together.

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Book SynopsisTo find solace from grief, we have always turned to the written word. With poetry and prose spanning continents, religions and cultures, this moving anthology examines loss, celebrates lives well lived and offers words of consolation.Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning clothbound pocket-sized classics with gilt edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is edited by Becky Brown.Helpfully divided into different sections, Funeral Readings and Poems features many famous poems such as ‘Funeral Blues’ by W. H. Auden and ‘How do I Love Thee?’ by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, alongside comforting prose from the likes of Louisa May Alcott and Kenneth Graham.

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Book SynopsisIf you’ve found yourself almost inconsolable after your pet died, please know that you’re normal. If you’ve found that your family and friends don’t seem to understand the level of your grief, please know that, too, is normal. Without comparing our relationships with our pets to those with people, we know that, because of the unique emotional relationships we have with our pets, their deaths produce a level of pain that is difficult to describe. If you relate to any or all of these sentences, this book is for you. We have been there and most probably will be there again. We will be with you on this journey to help your heart deal with the absence of your cherished companion. —Russell, Cole, and John Your relationship with your pet is special—it’s a bond that is very different than those that human beings share with each other. When a beloved pet passes away, people often resort to incorrect mechanisms to deal with the grief, such as trying to move too quickly past the loss (dismissing the real impact), or even attempting to replace the pet immediately. However, these are merely two myths out of six that the authors discuss and dismantle in The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss. Based on the authors’ Grief Recovery Method®, this book addresses how losing a pet is different from losing a human loved one, and ultimately, how to move on with life.Trade ReviewThis book discusses unique aspects of the human-animal relationship and aims to help grieving owners complete what was left emotionally undone by the physical loss of an animal. Authors Friedman, John W. James, and Cole James apply their Grief Recovery Method to pet loss. Focusing on the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of animal deaths, the book takes readers through various steps, including graphing the relationship, dividing the entries into categories, and writing a completion letter to the animal. Verdict: For pet owners who would benefit from new strategies to deal with their grief over the loss of a pet. * Library Journal *The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss is a straightforward and sympathetic self-help guide written especially for pet owners who feel crippling sadness after the passing of a faithful companion. Chapters address common myths about grief that can impede recovery, and walk the reader through a straightforward process designed to help them work through their feelings and their relationship with a beloved animal. Practical as well as emotional considerations are also kept strongly in mind. 'Caution: Throughout the United States, Great Britain, and other countries, there are local rules and regulations regarding the scattering of ashes. Please make sure that you don't break any of those laws. With the use of online searches, you can easily find out what, if any, restrictions there might be.' The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss is an excellent choice for personal use, or as a gift for a friend or family member who has recently lost a cherished pet. * Midwest Book Review *For the past forty-four years as a practicing veterinarian, I have wished there was a book I could recommend to my clients to deal with their broken hearts when their pets have died. Finally, The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss is available to help them deal directly with their emotions, at the time they most need it. -- Suresh V. Dogra, DVM, Aloro Pet Clinic, Studio City, CaliforniaFull disclosure: My husband John and my son Cole coauthored this book with Russell. John was helping grieving people deal with all losses—very much including the deaths of pets—when I met him thirty-four years ago. I can’t tell you how many people have shed tears in our living room as he helped them deal with the agonizing pain caused by the death of the pet that had graced their lives. This book contains the same help he gave them. It will change your life. It can’t bring your pet back, but it can help you get back your heart. -- Jess Walton, two-time Emmy Award–winning actressWritten by the trio who run The Grief Recovery Institute in Los Angeles, The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss is a straightforward and sympathetic self-help guide written especially for pet owners who feel crippling sadness after the passing of a faithful companion. Chapters address common myths about grief that can impede recovery, and walk the reader through a straightforward process designed to help them work through their feelings and their relationship with a beloved animal. Practical as well as emotional considerations are also kept strongly in mind. "Caution: Throughout the United States, Great Britain, and other countries, there are local rules and regulations regarding the scattering of ashes. Please make sure that you don't break any of those laws. With the use of online searches, you can easily find out what, if any, restrictions there might be." The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss is an excellent choice for personal use, or as a gift for a friend or family member who has recently lost a cherished pet. * Wisconsin Bookwatch *

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Book SynopsisWhen you find your husband lying dead, you think you will not forget a single detail of that moment. As an archaeologist, I like to get my facts right, and I will try my best to do so, but five years have passed since that day in 2016 and I am excavating my own unreliable memory. I cannot go back and check.'Extraordinary, unflinching, wonderful, moving' - Nina Stibbe, author of Love, Nina'This memoir has been compared to The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, and I can see why . . . In the end, there is so much love in this book. In writing such a meticulously honest book, she memorialises her cant-hating husband in the best way possible. I think he would be proud of her too.' The TimesSarah Tarlow's husband Mark began to suffer from an undiagnosed illness, leaving him incapable of caring for himself. One day, about six years after he first started showing symptoms, Mark waited for Sarah and their children to leave their home before ending his own life.Although Sarah had devoted her professional life to the study of death and how we grieve, she found that nothing could have prepared her for the reality of illness and the devastation of loss.Fiercely vulnerable, deeply intimate and yet authoritative, The Archaeology of Loss describes a universal experience with an unflinching and singular gaze. With humour, intelligence and urgency, it is in its very honesty that it offers profound consolation.'This book is a companion for anyone navigating the hardships of loss and uncertainty' - Octavia Bright, author of This Ragged Grace'A tender and big-hearted embrace of a book . . . A poetic excavation of loss, grief and ritual.' - Graham Caveney, author of The Boy with the Perpetual NervousnessTrade ReviewExtraordinary, unflinching, wonderful, moving -- Nina Stibbe, author of Love, NinaBracingly candid . . . Digs away at our collective fantasy that in dying or caring for the dying we are at our best. In reality, in either role we are often withdrawn, in pain, resentful, bad-tempered: our worst . . . addictively unsentimental * The Times *Scrupulously honest . . . Threaded through with tantalizing glimpses of the world of archaeology, Tarlow’s book is a raw, courageous examination of a sad ending to an uneasy relationship. * Times Literary Supplement *In Archaeology of Loss Sarah Tarlow has harnessed the consoling power of unvarnished truth. Direct, honest and deeply compassionate, this book is a companion for anyone navigating the hardships of loss and uncertainty, but it's also a celebration of all that love can stretch to hold. Informed by both Tarlow's lived experience and perspective as an archaeologist, it asks vital questions about what it means to live and die well. I found it both thought-provoking and moving. -- Octavia Bright, author of This Ragged GraceThe narrator has the scholar’s inability to soften or sweeten what she knows, which is that we don’t always love the dying and the dead, and that rage and mixed feelings are at least as interesting as sorrow. Look elsewhere for cheeriness; the pleasures offered here are those of intelligence and complexity in the hard times that will come to many of us. -- Sarah Moss * The Guardian *Brave, bold and exquisitely told and with such vibrancy and force, The Archaeology of Loss is a personal story of love, grief, and pain perfectly framed by the author's deep knowledge of the archaeologies of death and mourning. -- Helen Paris, author of Lost Property A wonderful work of memoir . . . powerful, fiercely honest, grippingly written and utterly immersive. -- Harry Whitehead, author of The Cannibal SpiritA tender and big-hearted embrace of a book, one that holds whole worlds in its arms: courtship, scholarship, reflections on death and its rituals. Here is an archeologist welding her intellectual acumen to her experience of her husband's terminal illness. A poetic excavation of loss, grief and ritual. -- Graham Caveney, author of The Boy with the Perpetual NervousnessA meticulously clear yet tender self-excavation exploring love and bereavement, today and through time, from a brilliant archaeologist. -- Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of KindredProfound and poignant . . . beautifully written. -- Melanie Giles * Antiquity *

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Book SynopsisFrom New York Times bestselling author Kris Carr, comes a transformational book about love, loss, and all the life-changing insights we receive when we embrace them.A few years ago, Kris Carr's world was falling apart. Her father was dying, she had to pivot her business because of the pandemic, and she was on the verge of reaching her twenty-year milestone of living with an incurable Stage IV cancer diagnosis.While sitting in a CVS parking lot, she broke down, finally allowing herself to feel the massive stress and sadness she had been suppressing in order to seem strong for those around her, and for herself.And then she asked herself, If embracing my intense emotions helped me feel even the slightest bit better, why was I so determined to avoid them? And given how all-encompassing this hint of catharsis felt, where else in my life have I been avoiding grief?In this book, Kris shares her (embarrassing, painful, helpful, hilarious,

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Book SynopsisTalking to children about death can be hard. Water Bugs and Dragonflies, a perennial bestseller, can help you to answer their questions.Doris Stickney tells the story of a small colony of water bugs living below the surface of a pond. Whenever a bug leaves the pond, those left behind are faced with the mystery of their absence. Stickney invites children into the question of their absence and offers hope for the future.First published under the title Death in Colloquy (December 1971), the story was revised and expanded in 1982 to become the bestselling Waterbugs and Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Young Children.This edition features full-colour paintings by Gloria Ortiz Hernandez.Trade ReviewWater Bugs and Dragonflies is a lovely narrative. Beautiful illustrations support the wonder and beauty of transformations found in both nature and human experience. -- Catherine Maresca, Center for Children and Theology

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Book SynopsisWhen we are grieving the death of someone loved, we may struggle with making it through each day. How are we supposed to cope with our gut-wrenching grief and live our daily lives at the same time? What should we do with our chaotic, painful, and intrusive thoughts and feelings? How do we survive? And is it possible to both grieve and live with meaning and hope? If you’ve been asking yourself such questions, this book by one of the world’s most beloved grief counselors provides affirmation and answers. Rituals give us something to do with our grief. Simple, everyday practices can give structure to our grief and hold us up us when we’re feeling like we might collapse. In fact, when we’re in grief, rituals are essentially effective beelines to healing. Learn what makes a ritual a ritual. (Spoiler alert: Rituals can be easy and fast!) Try some of the many solo rituals gathered here, such as letter writing, meditating, intentional emoting, grief walks, and the 10-minute grief encounter. And reach out to friends and loved ones who might like to get together for one of the simple group ceremonies. By incorporating the healing power of ritual into your days, you’ll be not only surviving your grief, you’ll be building in meaning and hope so that you can go on to thrive.

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Book SynopsisAn honest look at grief and fears, faith and hope. Combining personal narrative, sound theology, and beautiful writing, this is a book for anyone who has loved and lost.On November 3, 2020, Tim and Aileen Challies received the shocking news that their son Nick had died. A twenty-year-old student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, he had been participating in a school activity with his fiancée, sister, and friends, when he fell unconscious and collapsed to the ground.Neither students nor a passing doctor nor paramedics were able to revive him. His parents received the news at their home in Toronto and immediately departed for Louisville to be together as a family. While on the plane, Tim, an author and blogger, began to process his loss through writing.In Seasons of Sorrow, Tim shares real-time reflections from the first year of grief—through the seasons from fall to summer—introducinTrade Review'Seasons of Sorrow cut straight to my soul. I read it within a few weeks of the unexpected deaths of two close friends and while my wife struggles bravely with stage 4 cancer. Tim's heartfelt pain and Christ-centered perspective spoke to both my heart and my head.' * Randy Alcorn, author of Heaven and If God Is Good *'Seasons of Sorrow is a beautiful book. Reading it is like holding a precious gift, like standing on holy ground.' * Paul David Tripp, pastor, speaker, author of New Morning Mercies and Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense *'Believers need this book, and only Tim Challies could have written it. I am so thankful that Nick was a student at Boyce College, and his influence as a young Christian was remarkable.' * Albert and Mary Mohler *'If ever there was a book Tim Challies needed to write, it's this one. And it's a book I needed to read. Within these pages, you will do more than enter Tim's story of enormous loss; you will come out on the other side having gained a softer heart and a renewed courage to persevere through your own dark seasons of affliction.' * Joni Eareckson Tada, founder of the Joni and Friends International Disability Center *'If you have lost a loved one to death, as everyone has, or if you have buried a child, as many have, Tim Challies is your friend. Your brother. Your lifeline.' * Robert and Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, bestselling authors *'In the pages of this book, grieving people will find companionship, insight, and genuine encouragement for the journey.' * Nancy Guthrie, author of Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow and cohost of Respite Retreats for grieving parents *'This book is brilliant, not because of Tim Challies's eloquence, but because of his tears! The buoyancy of faith that shines from every page often left me teary-eyed, thanking God for his grace to his people during their darkest times. What priceless grace!' * Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church and founding chancellor of the African Christian University *'Tim Challies has taken us into his confidence by writing with such self-searching honesty. It is a painful pleasure to be invited into these sacred moments of grief and to be helped by the reminder that God is too kind ever to be cruel and too wise ever to make a mistake.' * Alistair Begg, senior pastor, Parkside Church, and host of the Truth for Life radio program *

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Book SynopsisPets are important members of the family and for some they may even be one of the closest relationships they enjoy, so when they die the devastation can be profound.In this long-overdue guide to grieving a beloved pet, Millie Jacobs uses her own personal experience and grief counselling expertise to guide readers through 31 days of exercises and support to help process your loss.Although we are a nation of animal lovers, there is so little emotional support offered to those who are grieving the death of an animal. Millie provides the necessary framework to allow the emotions of this very specific loss to be released and processed.This very practical guide will help every struggling and grieving owner through the loss of a pet and help them to feel they are, at last, allowed to grieve their best friend and companion.

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'A comforting support group in book form. A must-read for grievers.'Ellidy Pullin'Good Mourning is a gift - the package you leave on the doorstep of anyone rocked by grief when you don't have the words.'-Jessie Stephens, author of HeartsickSally Douglas and Imogen Carn met after the sudden deaths of their mothers only months apart. Their experiences led them to launch a podcast, and their no-holds-barred, relatable approach to talking about grief sparked a growing following of people eager to have honest conversations about what it really feels like to deal with loss. Good Mourning is a compassionate survival guide for anyone dealing with grief - the kind of book Sal and Im wish they'd had to help them through the dark times. Here they shine a light on the many ways grief can impact our lives (hello ugly crying, exhaustion and 'grief brain'). Along with expert advice from clinical psychologist Tamara Cavenett and warm words and insights from hundreds of others who've experienced grief, the authors offer practical tips on coping with isolation and loneliness, navigating grief at work, managing milestones and so much more. Whether you're one month in or ten years down the track, Good Mourning will help you make sense of life after loss - and know that you're not alone.

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Book SynopsisNavigate grief, call in more healing, and lean on the spiritual force of grace with this beautifully-illustrated 64-card oracle deck and guidebook from trusted author and spiritual guide Tanya Carroll Richardson.The Grief, Grace, and Healing card deck empowers you to gently rebuild after loss. Managing day-to-day life while grieving is less challenging with supportive tools like this card deck, which provides comfort and inspiration in trying times. With calming illustrations and reassuring messages, you will be encouraged to meet yourself with kindness as you journey through your unique healing process. Channel grief into healthy transformation, accept change, and cherish positive memories. This deck can be used by anyone experiencing grief, whether it’s mourning the passing of a loved one; experiencing sudden life changes such as divorce, job loss, or injury; or grappling with past trauma. No matter where you are in your healing, these cards and guidebook help you connect to your spirit and inner resilience, adding a little light, hope, and self-love to your routine. Each deluxe card deck includes: 64 unique illustrated cards with motivation, prompts, and tips for navigating grief. A 176-page guidebook offering further reflection on the cards’ messages and deeper insights. A beautifully-crafted keepsake storage box. DAILY MOTIVATION: Wake up each morning to a motivational message, a comforting affirmation, or an inspirational guiding question to reflect on HEALING AT YOUR OWN PACE: Reading a card every day or every week is a simple step towards healing that can be utilized even by those overwhelmed with grief or juggling the busiest of schedules STRATEGIES FOR SELF-CARE: Take care of your mind, body, and spirit using cards with suggestions for reducing stress, finding inner peace, and adopting healing rituals GRAPPLE WITH ALL KINDS OF GRIEF: Whether you’ve lost a family member, relationship, pet, or job, solace can be found with the Grief, Grace, and Healing card deck COMPLETE YOUR COLLECTION: The Inner World series includes other card decks, guided journals, and products for cultivating mental wellness, including Awakening Intuition, Self-Care, and Gratitude

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Book Synopsis''Immersive and compelling. I read it in a single day! Everyone should take a plunge into this book.'' CATHY RENTZENBRINK''The Tidal Year is some of the best writing on wild swimming that I have encountered.'' MARIANNE LEVYFreya is still searching. For four years, she''s been looking for a way to fill the empty space her brother''s death left behind. Ready for another distraction, Freya decides to swim every tidal pool in Britain in a year with her friend Miri. The adventure takes them from a pool hidden in the cliffs of fishing-village Polperro to the quarry lagoon of Abereiddi via the Trinkie where locals meet each year to give the pool wall a fresh lick of paint. As Freya travels further from London, she finds herself closer to memories of her brother. With every swim, and every stranger they meet in the water, the challenge becomes more than just a way to explore the coast, but a journey of self-discovery.The Tidal Year is Trade ReviewImmersive and compelling. I read it in a single day! Everyone should take a plunge into this book -- Cathy RentzenbrinkFunny, sad and honest, but ultimately also hopeful, The Tidal Year is a wonderful and welcome addition to the growing canon of books exploring the restorative power of wild swimming -- Sophie PierceReads like a lusciously languid dream sequence... It's not just about how water can redeem us but how words can too. A powerful debut -- Christopher BeanlandFunny and moving, brimming with bracingly refreshing uncertainty and a salty refusal of resolution, it is a book to float away in -- Polly AtkinA heart-rending depiction of a young woman growing through grief and the healing, restorative power of nature -- Nick BradleyBright and tender-hearted... candid and vulnerable -- Jessica J. LeeA moving and memorable book... Her writing is contained, clear and as powerful as the changing tides she swims in. She is a talent to watch -- Raffaella BarkerAstonishing in its frankness, raw, poignant, bracing, funny; a very human story -- Derek Niemann, Guardian country diaristThe Tidal Year is some of the best writing on wild swimming that I have encountered -- Marianne LevyA beautiful, brilliantly written book on grief, self-discovery and swimming. I loved following along on the tidal pool adventure and thought all the observations, of people and places, were so vividly captured. It's not every day you gobble up a 400+ page memoir in a matter of days -- Emma GannonBeautifully written * Jersey Evening Post *A poignant, funny tribute to the complex, tidal nature of grief. The Tidal Year delivers inspirational waves of hope and renewal to its readers, demonstrating the restorative power of immersion in the natural world -- Jade Angeles Fitton, author of HERMIT

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