While everyone experiences grief in their own unique way, that doesn’t mean we can’t learn from the experiences of others. That is why support groups and group therapy can be so beneficial.
The challenge is, of course, that every situation surrounding death can be so different. Losing an aging, ill parent is far different from losing a child in an automotive accident. Having a spouse taken by a sudden illness is different than having a close friend pass away.
There may be common themes or some parallel emotions, but your circumstances and your path will be different. That is why it can be so helpful to read about the experiences of others that may more closely resemble yours. Fortunately, there are a number of books that have been written to do just that.
Here are a few you want to consider, depending on your experience:
Surviving the Death of a Sibling: Living Through Grief When an Adult Brother or Sister Dies, by T.J. Wray
If you’ve experienced the death of an adult brother or sister, this book may help provide some insight. This is particularly true if you were close. Losing an adult sibling can bring a flood of emotions from the past and potential regrets. This book may help.
Surviving the Holidays Without You: Navigating Grief During Special Seasons, by Gary Roe
We’ve all lost friends or relatives near a holiday. The major ones, like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter, can be the toughest. It can change the shape of those holidays for us forever.
Is it possible to still celebrate these holidays without feeling like you are disrespecting your loved one? These subjects and more are explored in this work. Essential reading for those who feel like a holiday can never be celebrated quite the same.
Traveling with Ghosts: A Memoir, by Shannon Leone Fowler
How do you carry those you’ve lost with you as you move forward through life? Literally and figuratively, we want to keep a part of our loved ones with us. This is a personal tale you may find yourself drawn to.
Reasons to Stay Alive, by Matt Haig
If you’ve lost someone particularly close, it can lead to depression, questioning your faith, and even negative physical impacts. The depression and sadness can feel so overwhelming as to wonder why it is worth even moving forward. This book helps you to discover, or rediscover, the reasons why.
I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One, by Brook Noel & Pamela Blair, Ph.D.
The title of this book speaks volumes. When someone passes, there were still things to share, words that you wanted to say, and emotions to express. It doesn’t seem fair that we weren’t ready.
If you lost someone, especially if it was unexpected, you will appreciate the feelings behind this book.
We would like you to think of us as a resource; someone you can turn to in times of need, when you have questions, or even in pre-planning. We know many families don’t have a traditional funeral home they can turn to in these types of circumstances. We would be honored to be of service.
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