Resources for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one…

 

BOOKS For Adults  grieving the loss of a loved one through suicide

 

No Time to Say Goodbye : Surviving The Suicide Of A Loved One by Carla Fine. Main Street Books, 1999. A comprehensive and well-written manual for "suicide survivors," that offers advice for those recovering from the suicide of a marital partner, relative or close friend.

 

Suicide of a Child by Adina Wrobleski. Centering Corporation, 1993. For parents whose child has completed suicide. Goes into detail about victimization, social stigma, guilt, anger, history and recovery.

 

My Son...My Son: A Guide to Healing After a Suicide in the Family by Iris Bolton.

 

After Suicide (Christian Care Books) by John H. Hewett. Bolten Press Atlanta, 1983. Timeless read for anyone who has lost someone they love to suicide. Author eloquently shares her experience with brilliant usage of metaphors to describe the tortured process from grief to survival.

 

Standing in the Shadow: Help and Encouragement for Suicide Survivors by June Cerza Kolf. Baker Books, 2002. Addresses the uniquely painful issues one faces when surviving a suicide, such as forgiveness, depression, and the search for answers. Leads reader through mourning to acceptance and will help you release your guilt and anger and embrace the mighty power of prayer.

 

Healing After the Suicide of a Loved One by Ann Smolin. Fireside, 1993. Steers away from the all-too-common tendency to blame oneself and puts one on the path to healing and recovery. Filled with case studies, excellent information, valuable advice, and a completely up-to-date reading list and directory of suicide support groups nationwide, this valuable book will give you the strength and hope to go on living.

 

But I Didn't Say Goodbye: For parents and professionals helping child suicide survivors by Barbara Rubel. Griefwork Center Inc., 2000. For the helping professional or parent as you try to help children in the afermath of suicide.

 

Aftershock: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide by Arrington Cox, Candy David, David Cox, Candy Arrington. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003. Examines the complex emotions involved in grieving a suicide death while providing knowledge and resources, encouragement and support.  

 


 

BOOKS For Adults on loss and grief from a faith perspective

 

Meditations for Survivors of Suicide by Joni Woelfel. Catholic Book Publishing Company, 2002. A thoughtful spiritual journey flowing from the heart of a mother that refuses to be crushed by her son's suicide.

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn: Comforting Catholics in Their Time of Grief by Glenn M. Spencer, Jr. Our Sunday Visitor Press, 1999. Useful for people suffering loss and for those who want to help those who grieve.

A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis. Harper San Francisco, 2001. Meditative book in which the Oxford don, author and Christian apologist wrestles with God, faith and himself after the death of his beloved wife from cancer — the same disease that had killed his mother when he was a boy.

Praying Our Goodbyes by Joyce Rupp. Random House, 1992. Comforting words to help get through all the finalities of life.

Praying Through Grief: Healing Prayer Services for Those Who Mourn by Sr. Mauryeen O’Brien, O.P. Random House, 1992. Includes meditation, scripture, song, ritual.

Shaken Faith: Hanging in There When God Seems Far Away by Antoinette Bosco. Twenty-Third Publishers, 2001. Having experienced the tragedy of one son’s suicide and another’s murder, the author offers astute and mature spiritual insights.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner. Schocken Books, New York, 2000. Bestseller written after the death of the author’s only son. Fine use of Scripture as he meditates on good and evil, joy and sorrow, gain and loss.


BOOKS For Children on loss

Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams. HarperCollins Children’s Books. A popular classic first published in 1952. Memorable characters and story teach about love and friendship, life and death.

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia. Henry Holt & Co, 1982. The changing seasons, the nature of life and death are gently explained to the young reader.

When A Grandparent Dies: A Kid’s Own Workbook by Nechama Liss-Levinson, Karen Savary. Jewish Lights Press, VT, 1995. For 7 - 11 year olds to handle their emotions, learn Jewish traditions of mourning.

When Dinosaurs Die by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown. Little, Brown, New York, 1998. Illustrations and text about dinosaurs to help youngsters cope with feelings about death.