Grief Lending Library

A seventeen-year-old boy trying to recover from the loss of his girlfriend meets an unusual girl.

• Teens

• Death of a Partner

When it comes to the end of a relationship, the loss of a loved one, or even a national tragedy, we are often told we need “closure.” But while some people do find closure for their pain and grief, many more feel closure does not exist and believe the notion only promises false hopes. Sociologist Nancy Berns explores these ideas and their ramifications in her timely book, Closure. This book explains how to push for closure-whether we find it helpful, engaging, or enraging-is changing our society.

• General

 Melanie writes from her own personal experiences with Infertility. Talks openly and honestly, and with much humor about the ups and downs of infertility treatment.

• General

• Infertility

Ages 5 and up. Bessie misses her grandmother when she dies, but when Bessie grows up, she has a little girl of her own who looks and behaves just like Grandma.

• Children

• Death of a Grandparent

This reassuring picture book explores the issue of parents who are away from home while serving their country in the armed forces. Children's worries and questions become especially acute when the parent is being sent to a war zone. This title helps children understand that separation is only temporary, and that their Dad or Mom is performing an important patriotic service about which the child can be proud.

• Children

• Military

The book of Genesis, in fresh and modern idiom, becomes as up-to-date as this morning's newspaper.

• General

• Religious / Historical

A book of prayers for families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death.

• Death of a Child

• Religious

"…deals with death and grief from a biblical and psychological perspective and offers practical advice to ministers on how to handle the grief situation and the funeral service."

• Professional

• Religious

An honest, frank confrontation of the problems and issues that we all must face in accepting illness, disability, and death as integral parts of living and being alive.

• General

• Before the Death / Historical

This compassionate and practical guide offers a new model of bereavement care for nurses, physicians, social workers, chaplains and other bedside obstetric caregivers, as they companion families who have experienced miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth and other forms of perinatal loss.

• Death of a Child

• Professional

If you work with the dying in your career or as a volunteer, or if you are a family member or friend to someone who is dying, this book presents you with a caregiving philosophy that will help you know how to respond, and what to do with your own powerful emotions.

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

• Religious

This guide provides hundreds of hands-on activities tailored for grieving children in three age groups: preschool, elementary, and teens. Through the use of readings, games, discussion questions, and arts and crafts, caregivers can help grieving young people acknowledge the reality of the death, embrace the pain of the loss, remember the person who died, develop a new self-identity, search for meaning, and accept support.

• Helping Children & Teens

Providing a viable alternative to the limitations of the medical model for companioning the bereaved, the author encourages counselors and other caregivers to aspire to a more compassionate philosophy in which the child is the expert of his or her own grief---not the counselor or caregiver.

• Helping Children

Bereavement care is draining work, and remaining empathetic to the painful struggles of the mourners and dying they serve makes caregivers highly susceptible to burnout. But if you make compassionate self-care a priority, not only will your life be richer and more joyful, you will be a more effective caregiver to others. Let this book show you how to have balance in your life and in your work.

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

• Professional

A clear and comprehensive guide to dealing with the facts and emotions of death. An indispensable guide to anyone called upon to help in the inevitable crisis it brings.

• General

• Historical

Describes the nature of coping as it has been observed in cancer patients and relates these findings to some principles for action aimed toward helping people to achieve completeness in their lives.

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

• Historical

Discusses death as a natural occurrence, what happens when someone dies, and how to deal with feelings of loss and grief.

• General

Discusses how to deal with different types of grief, in such situations as death, suicide, romantic break-up, and pregnancy. Includes fictional examples and lists of crisis centers and agencies to provide help.

• Teens

"Drawing on the actual experiences of young adults (i.e. persons aged 17-24), this volume explores their reactions to separation and death and their methods for coping."

• General

A wonderful, helpful book filled with information and guidance. Treats this serious subject with sympathetic feelings. An excellent guide allowing us to understand that we are not alone with our grief. Anyone who has a pet should read it.

• Death of a Pet

This book is intended to help you understand some of what to expect after the homicide of a family member or friend. The book is divided into sections which cover the first few days, the first few weeks, the first few months, the first year and beyond.

• Sudden & Traumatic Death

• Homicide

With an understanding and empathetic voice, Kim exposes the hurt in your heart, reveals the healing in God’s heart, and brings the two together to create a whole heart where restoration-and celebration-are possible after an abortion.

• Death of a Child

• Religious / Abortion

Designed to complement the clergy and funeral director’s role in the funeral planning process, this book walks families through the many decisions they will make at the time of a death and helps them create a ceremony that will be both healing and meaningful. Options are clearly explained and alternatives are also given, and charts and tables are included to help families assess cost options.

• General

• Funeral Rites and Ceremonies

“An inspiring guide for clergy and others who help bereaved families plan and carry out authentic funeral rituals…"

• Professional

• Funeral Rites and Ceremonies

Explores the ways in which caregivers and clergy can create heartfelt ceremonies that help the bereaved.

• Professional

• Funeral Rites and Ceremonies

Jolene Brackey has a vision: that we will soon look beyond the challenges of Alzheimer's disease to focus more of our energies on creating moments of joy. The edition is filled with more practical advice sprinkled with hope, encouragement, new stories, and generous helpings of humor.

• Alzheimer's Disease

An innovative collection of therapeutic games, art techniques, and stories to help children of divorce express feelings, deal with loyalty binds, disengage from parental conflict, address anger and self-blame, and learn coping strategies. Includes a theoretical overview for practitioners, a sample treatment plan, and a reproducible handout to give parents. Also contains a ten-week curriculum that can be used in therapy or support groups.

• Helping Children

• Divorce

Aware their grandmother is gravely ill, four siblings make a pact to keep death from taking her away. But Death does arrive all the same, as it must. He comes gently, naturally. And he comes with enough time to share a story with the children that helps them to realize the value of loss to life and the importance of being able to say goodbye.

• Children

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

Feeling ill-equipped to be a natural nurturer is a nearly universal phenomenon. Cultivating Compassion can help you break through that awkwardness and become an effective comforter.

• General

• Helping a Friend

Gently told stories help assure children that they are not alone. Activity pages and suggestions for parents extend the value of this important series. Here are some suggestions for providing security and comfort to your child during difficult times.

• Children

In this collection of essays, 25 women open their hearts and share their stories of how they have survived and even gathered strength from the loss of their fathers.

• General

• Death of a Father

Kate Spencer lost her mom to cancer when she was 27. In The Dead Moms Club, she walks readers through her experience of stumbling through grief and loss, and helps them to get through it, too. This isn't a weepy, sentimental story, but rather a frank, up-front look at what it means to go through gruesome grief and come out on the other side.

• General

• Death of a Mother

"The Dead" is the final short story in the 1914 collection Dubliners by James Joyce. It is the longest story in the collection and is often considered the best of Joyce's shorter works. At 15,672 words it has also been considered a novella.

• General

A coming-of-age story about a 12 year old boy who is the sole survivor of a 187 plane crash that kill his brother and parents. This is a beautiful story about the ways a broken heart can learns to love again.

• Teens

• Sudden & Traumatic Death

Tricia LaVoices life is turned upside-down when her parents are tragically killed in an automobile accident. Years later another tragedy strikes Tricia's family, shaking her faith in life once more. It was during this time of suffering and loneliness that she found an unexpected respite in nature, in the form of a beautiful pine tree Tricia named Martha. This rare bond inspires Tricia who literally talks to Martha daily as she heals the hurt in her heart. Tricia learns to listen to her inner voice, and heals herself by finding her source of courage and strength is within her.

• General

• Sudden & Traumatic Death

Letters from those who have experienced the death of a child, sibling or other loved one to parents who have just had a child die.

• Death of a Child

An important aspect of social life for all peoples living under Roman rule or Roman influence in republican and imperial times.

• General

• Funeral Rites / Historical

A comprehensive and balanced analysis of the issues and challenges pose by death and dying in modern society.

• General

• Historical

Five prominent clinicians and scientists examine the psychological, sociological, and physical aspects of death.

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

• Historical

Developed to help readers become more intelligent and discriminating consumers of information in our media-centered culture.

• General

Dr. Benton descries grief and the feelings of guilt, rejection, isolation, and fear that may accompany it.

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

• Historical

Specialists in each field trace the history and development of the Eastern thought and tradition about death from the Vedic Period (3500 years ago) through current thought from philosophers such as Gandhi.

• General

• Historical

For clergy who wish to enhance their ability to assist others during times of death and grief.

• Professional

• Religious

It is the author's hope that our society may relearn that death is an essential part of life, and that free discussion of the processes of grief, mourning, and bereavement may contribute to a changed, more accepting attitude in the community.

• General

• Historical

Dr. Lockyer treats immortality as the good news of the life to come. Based on Scripture, it shows how hearts can be elated now with the glorious thought of a future of inexpressible happiness in the life beyond.

• General

• Religious / Historical

A realistic look at the legal, medical and emotional aspects of death.

• General

• Historical

Discusses the biological meaning of death, attitudes of the dying, survivors, and society toward death, and such related topics as euthanasia, abortion, murder, suicide, and immortality.

• General

• Historical

The Death of a Child is filled with stories of people who have lost a child and how they dealt with the reality of that event. This collection of life-giving lessons touches on a wide range of emotions and situations that parents may encounter after the death of their child.

• Death of a Child

“Told by his widow, here is the story of a man doomed by cancer who chose to die as he had lived…with knowledge and vitality.”

• Death of a Partner

• Historical

Recommended for its exposition of the psychosocial environment in which the dying patient is immersed.

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

• Historical

The book is about many things: the tyranny of bourgeois niceties, the terrible weak spots of the human heart, and it is about death. But more than anything, it deals with the consequences of living without meaning.

• General

• Historical

Roberts's overriding message is that there isn't one right way to express sorrow and that people should be allowed to use whatever rituals or comforts they need, for as long as they need, without censure.

• General

Shows how through an acceptance of our finiteness, we can grow; for death provides a key to the meaning of human existence.

• General

• Historical

“This delightfully different ‘travelogue’ follows one man’s quest to discover how people around the world cope with the incontrovertible fact of death.”

• General

… presents an original set of ten characteristics common in suicide. (which) create an intimate portrait of the suicidal person.

• Sudden & Traumatic Death

• Suicide

The intent of this book is to have dialogue with death until we renounce life so as to genuinely live it to its fullest.

• General

• Historical

With more than twenty-five years of experience as a teacher and the parent of a special needs child, Jolene Philo offers you guidance and encouragement. Addressing a variety of situations and providing tools to help you work through them she prepares you to become an extraordinary advocate for your child.

• General

• Disabilities

Written to help develop a deeper understanding of the uniqueness of each loss and how it affects the grief process by looking at a number of different types of losses.

• General

Ages 4-7. Children love the illustrations in this excellent book. We learn about why some parents divorce, having two homes, telling your friends, visiting your parent, and even holidays.

• Children

• Divorce

This book is a faithful companion for those who are walking the journey of grief. From his pastoral and personal experience, the author describes this journey in concrete ways and speaks knowingly of grace present each step along the way. Very practical and thoughtful.

• General

• Religious

A comprehensive approach to death education on a development level.

• General

• Professional / Historical

An incident of unimaginable terror and violence forces father and daughter to confront their strained relationship and the equally complicated racial complexities of the new South Africa.

• General

The author found that his decision to attack his disease rather than "go gently into that good night," had not only saved him but also changed him dramatically for the better.

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

• Cancer

The author takes the reader through the personal experience of losing her younger sister and weaves in the available research for sibling survivors. She also journeys sibling loss through the life span, explains suicide, the grief process, and how sibling death impacts the brothers and sisters left behind. She adds practical advice for how sibling suicide survivors can help themselves.

• Sudden and Traumatic Death

• Suicide

Drawing on experience and wisdom from people who have lost husbands, wives, parents, children, and siblings, this book offers hundreds of helpful, succinct and heartfelt suggestions on how to provide comfort, now and over time.

• General

• Helping a Friend

Provides consolation for the bereaved and for those facing death.

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

• Historical

For children ages 4 and up. When 5 year old Allison’s parents begin to see a change in her behavior at home they seek professional help for her. They find that Allison and other children have been ritually abused at a day care center. Thus begins Allison’s recovery.

• Children

• Abuse

Gently, with warm, consoling, and practical guidance, Doug Manning addresses the painful, often disorienting aftermath of the death of a loved one.

• General

Deals with the fear of one's own death and the search for meaning in grief.

• General

• Historical

"The most profound near-death experience ever."

• General

• Near Death Experiences

This booklet was created to help you embrace hope as you do the hard work of grieving in the painful aftermath of miscarriage. Grief takes time. Healing is a process. Give yourself the space and grace you need to mourn.

• Death of a Child

• Miscarriage

Ages 9+. Emma comes to terms with her aunt's illness and eventual death from cancer.

• Children

• Cancer

For parents experiencing loss from miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant death. The author covers the many feelings, fears and fantasies that come, and adds a lot of easy to read and helpful information on physical reactions.

• Death of a Child

• Miscarriage/Stillbirth/ Infant Death

For adults who have lost a spouse, parent, child, friend or sibling. Learn how to incorporate new traditions on special days, create memorials that honor and affirm your loved one’s life and rebuild your individual sense of identity.

• General

• Special Days

Every culture has unique ways of coping with the devastating loss of a loved one, but in some households these important traditions have succumbed to the modern emphasis on returning to the business of life.

• General

The story of a 17 year old's fight against leukemia as told by his mother.

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

• Historical

Ages 6-12. Melinda looks forward to the letters and cards she receives from her favorite neighbor who has moved into a nursing home and when the old woman dies, it takes Melinda a while to find a way to stop missing her so much.

• Children

• Death of a Friend

Ages 9-16. A realistic guide to coping with the stresses and emotions a child or young teen may face when a parent has died.

• Children and Teens

• Death of a Parent

After her son, Zachary, dies in her arms at birth, visual artist and author Alexis Marie Chute disappears into her “Year of Distraction.” It is only when Chute learns she is pregnant again that she sets out to find healing and rediscover her identity―just in time, she hopes, to welcome her next child.

• Death of a Child

A very practical and healing guide for those journeying through the experience of the loss of a loved one. Christian focus.

• General

• Religious

A collection of readings to help any reader face death more effectively.

• Helping Children

• Historical

Throughout his long evangelistic career and in his many books, Dr. Billy Graham has told millions about Christ’s offer of eternal life. Now he calls us to confront the sobering fact of death – realistically, but always with the confidence that through our relationship with Christ we can conquer this final enemy.

• General

• Historical / Religious

The authors explore the difficult emotions parents face, including sadness, guilt, anger, powerlessness and questions about faith. Drawing on the stories of people they have counseled, and their own experiences, the authors share the many challenges.

• Death of a Child

• Religious

An inspiring allegory illustrating the delicate balance between life and earth.

• Children

Addressed to all professional practitioners who may be involved directly or indirectly with suicidal people.

• Professional

• Suicide

Shows how to respond constructively to any adolescent and to troubled adolescents in particular.

• Sudden & Traumatic Death

• Teens

Teaches “how to listen to the dying, how to understand and accept what they wish or need to share.”

• Anticipatory / Before the Death

A book of prayers for people facing death.

• Anticipatory & Before the Death

• Religious

A wonderful resource for helping children understand death, grief, and remembrance, this is the story of a young boy who has been told that he has 'lost' his grandfather. The boy remembers when he himself was lost in the mall and wants to help his grandmother find his grandfather. When he learns that his grandfather is not lost but dead, the boy remembers the old man's kindness, love, and generosity. Material objects then begin to evoke warm memories of his grandfather. This touching story will encourage young readers to discuss their feelings of loss and grief.

• Children

• Death of a Grandfather

Simplified and suitable methods for talking to children and teenagers about sensitive topics with an emphasis on the subject of death. Honest but child-appropriate language is advocated, and various wording and levels of explanation are suggested for different ages when discussing topics such as death in general, suicide, homicide, accidental death, the death of a child, terminal illness, pet death, funerals, and cremation.

• Helping Children & Teens

Sketches out some of the issues that arise in the wake of a parent's death and offers practical suggestions for navigating these difficulties.

• General

• Death of a Parent

A powerful and moving book written from the individual perspectives of a mother and father whose son dies suddenly.

• Death of a Child

• Sudden Death

A collection of some of the most popular poetry which has previously appeared in Bereavement Magazine.

• General

Addresses the grief a grandparent feels and how the grandparent can help their grieving child.

• General

• Death of a Grandchild

For couples whose child has died. Looks at men's grief, women's grief, building your relationship after your child dies, how to help each other heal.

• Death of a Child

• Couples Grief

Discusses the rites and ceremonies surrounding death, the funeral, the work of mourning.

• General

• Funeral Rites and Ceremonies / Historical

For helping children cope with the death of a brother or sister.

• Helping Children

• Death of a Sibling

This heartrending, relatable account of one woman’s reckoning with loss is a guide to the world of self-recovery, self-love, and the skills necessary to meeting one's own needs in these times of pain– especially when that pain is suffered alone. 

• General

The Forgiveness Solution gives you the how in a proven step by step formula that brings relief from the hurt and puts you on the road to living the happy, healthy life that God has intended for you.

• General

• Religious

Sixteen-year-old Anne, home from boarding school for the holidays, has difficulty accepting her new stepmother’s presence in the house that holds so many memories of her dead mother.

• Teens

• Death of a Mother