Let’s face it…one of our biggest fears is the death of a loved one and having to go on without them. The grief can be sometimes unbearable and doesn’t end quick enough.
I know this grief all to well because I lost my Mom to cancer on August 13, 2006 and my brother to cancer (on my birthday) August 9, 2012.
Up until my mom died I really hadn’t lost anyone that close to me and of course the first person I lose is my best friend, my momma, my confidant, my prayer partner…my everything!
The first year was the worst! I walked around like a zombie. I would be driving and forget where I was going. I would forget my zip code for my debit card, I misplaced my keys all the time, I stopped home schooling my kids and I fell into a deep dark depression.
It was through reading books that I realized I was not alone and my grieving process was just that…a process! I have such a stronger sense of what death really means to the Christian. It’s not death at all but LIFE. A life we pray we will have here on this earth all the time. A life with no more worries, struggles, illnesses, failures, disappointments and tragedy. A life of joy, peace, harmony, happiness, wholeness and a love that is so much deeper than we can even fathom.
I’ve compiled a list of best-selling books that I pray will help you in your time of grieving.
List of Books on Coping with Death and Grief
1. Journeying Through Grief (4-pack set)
These books were so instrumental in the grieving process I went through when my Mom passed away. There are four books to this set that you can either give to those who are grieving or read for yourself at the four crucial times during the first year after a loss.
Book 1: A Time to Grieve (send/read 3 weeks after the loss)
Book 2: Experiencing Grief (send/read 3 months after the loss)
Book 3: Finding Hope and Healing (send/read 6 months after the loss)
Book 4: Rebuilding and Remembering (send/read 12 months after the loss)
When I read each book it was like God was ministering right to me and letting me know that what I was going through was normal and expected. The first year of loosing someone can be the hardest because you’re experiencing things without them being there. These books help you understand the feelings and emotions you are going through and encourages you to take the time you need to grieve and to continue to life to the fullest.
- What a blessing they have been
- I’m looking to buy some to give to grieving friends and family when needed.
- “Rebuilding and Remembering”
Read the Full Reviews of Journeying Through Grief (4-pack set), Click Here!
2. Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy
If you’ve lost a spouse, child, family member, or friend, you’ve discovered that few people understand the deep hurt you feel.
Where do you turn for daily comfort and help? Where do you find the tools to move forward? Through a Season of Grief is the first 365-day devotional designed to support and uplift you in the first, most difficult year of bereavement.
These devotions offer biblical comfort and practical teaching that will enable you to take steps forward each day toward healing. You will better understand the grieving process and will receive needed encouragement along the way.
More than thirty respected Christian professionals – including Kay Arthur, Jack Hayford, Elisabeth Elliot, Norman Wright, Barbara Johnson, and Luis Palau – share their insights on how to walk through the devastation of grief toward wholeness and hope. You will also hear from people like you who have lost a loved one and have found God’s healing presence in the midst of despair.
This unique devotional is based on GriefShare®, a national grief recovery support group program that has helped more than 100,000 families.
- This book is very helpful, especially in the first stages of grief and loss.
- It is a devotional book to read a small section each day for a year.
- Great read for broken hearts!
Read the Full Reviews of Through a Season of Grief: Devotions for Your Journey from Mourning to Joy, Click Here!
3. Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations For Working Through Grief
For those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, here are strength and thoughtful words to inspire and comfort.
For those recovering from the death of a loved one, here is a collection of daily affirmations and meditations to ease the grieving process and pave the way for healing to begin.
This book offers 365 days of inspirational quotes, short thoughts and stories and positive, uplifting thoughts for the day. As you’re reading these daily meditations you are provided with hope and comfort and know that every emotion you are experiencing is completely normal.
Through the loss of her own child, Martha Whitmore Hickman is able to walk beside us through this grieving process always letting us know that there is no time limit on grief and with her gentle inspiring words on the pages we are given hope and reassurance that we are not alone. 🙂
What others are saying about this book:
- Tiny shafts of light in the darkness…
- I’m not alone when I’m with Healing After Loss
- This book is a MUST for anyone who has lost a loved one
- helps heal the pain, bit by bit, step by step, day by day
Read the Full Reviews of Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief, Click Here!
4. A Decembered Grief: Living with Loss While Others are Celebrating
A Decembered Grief is designed to guide you on a journey beyond grief. In this book, the author Harold Ivan Smith shows you how to change up your families traditions instead of abandoning them altogether.
We are taught to appreciate the grief styles of others along with embracing the journey of grief and not dreading it.
Suffering the loss of a loved one at any time of the year is difficult, yet during the holidays or special occasions, those grieving experience a more intense sense of loss. The world is moving forward and celebrating life and all its blessings, yet for grievers, a darkness pervades the holiday.
This book is an invitation to enjoy Christmas and its companion holidays again. Even when grief overwhelms learn to move forward and celebrate life. Learn to survive the darkness that robs joy from the holiday season for many grievers.
What others are saying about this book:
- Excellent Gift for Holiday Grief
- Good Ideas for people facing holidays after a significant loss
- Grandma read it 3 times!
Read the Full Reviews of A Decembered Grief: Living with Loss While Others are Celebrating, Click Here!
5. Gone but Not Lost: Grieving the Death of a Child
We all expect our parents to precede us in death. No one expects to have to make their child’s funeral arrangements. And the loss of a child brings with it a special and persistent manifestation of grief that can feel “like a stomach-ache that never ends.”
Gone but Not Lost is a thoughtful gift for a family that has experienced the death of a child. Each of its brief chapters covers one element of grief, bringing the grieving through sorrow and helping them deal with feelings of anger or guilt as well as the marital strain that may follow the loss of a beloved child.
This helpful resource has been revised and updated to bring comfort to a new generation.
What others are saying about this book:
- I am able to pick it up and read a couple of chapters, cry, pick it up again and continue on.
- I am not good with expressing my feelings to other people, so it helps to read about what I am going to be feeling and that it is ok to be feeling this way.
- Answers a lot of those unanswerable questions.
- Marriage section huge plus!
Read the Full Reviews of Gone but Not Lost: Grieving the Death of a Child, Click Here!
6. From One Widow to Another: Conversations on the New You
The statistics are staggering, 800,000 people become widows or widowers every single year in the United States alone. To become a “Widow” is one title women do not want to have.
When a woman looses her husband if feels like the very essence of her being is taken away from her. All she knew, all she lived for is gone in an instant and now she is left to redefine herself as a “Widow”.
As she struggles to accept her role as a widow, Miriam Neff understands the ride and recognizes the need for women to hear from others about their experiences along with what helped them transition to this new stage of life.
From One Widow to Another offers practical advice for those facing the loss of a spouse. Drawing from her own loss, Miriam walks with you through this book and leaves you with a sense of encouragement.
What others are saying about this book:
- Such helpful and practical advice for those of us on this sad journey…
- Very well needed for today’s widow
- A Faith Builder
Read the Full Reviews of From One Widow to Another: Conversations on the New You, Click Here!
If you had to put together a Top 5 List of the Best books on Grieving what would it be?
Are you grieving over the loss of a loved one, maybe a relationship or even the loss of a job? Would you like prayer? I’d love to pray for you. Leave me a comment below or send me a private message and I promise you I will pray for you and your situation.
2 Responses
I was thinking of writing something because of my moms loss. your writing is right on.
I tell people it is like someone took a photo and cut my mom out. it just leaves a hole.
someone as you say that has not experienced like you said will never understand.
You now I have my email please email me you and I have so much in common.
I don’t know if you remember but I homeschooled all three of mine also
Kymee,
I do remember you saying that you home schooled your children as well. My youngest, who will be going into the 10th grade has asked me to home school her again. So I’m getting back into this year. You’re right, we really do have quite a bit in common. I’m going to shoot you over an email so you have my email address as well and we can correspond back and forth. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. Means a lot to me.
Be Blessed,
Audrey