Halo of Love – Recommended Reading
by Peggy Sweeney, Mortician and Bereavement Educator,
Grimes Funeral Chapels, Kerrville, TX
Adult Grief Information
General Grief Information
Don’t Take My Grief Away by Doug Manning
When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner
Bereaved Parents
General Information
The Bereaved Parent by Harriett Sarnoff-Schiff
Roses In December By Marilyn Willett Heavilin
For Better or Worse by Maribeth Wilder Doerr (handbook for couples whose child has died)
Single Parent Grief by Sherokee Ilse
Father’s Grief
Into the Valley and Out Again by Richard Edler (unexpected death of a child)
When Goodbye is Forever: Learning to Live Again After the Loss of a Child (a father’s story) by John Bramblett
Sweeping Up the Heart: A Father’s Lament for His Daughter by Paul W. Nisly
Grandparent’s Grief
For Bereaved Grandparents by Margaret Gerner
Specific Types of Death
Remember Lee by Linda Musser (auto accident death)
Who Lives Happily Ever After by Sharon Turnbull (violent death)
When a Child Has Been Murdered by Bonnie Hunt Conrad
Lessons by Susan Abbott (terminal illness death)
Never Too Old for a Lullaby by Juanita White (death of an adult child)
Momma Mockingbird by Sauni Wood (death of an adult child)
My Son, My Son by Iris Bolton (suicide death)
His Bright Light: The Story of Nick Traina by Danielle Steel (her son’s death by suicide)
Suicide of a Child by Adina Wrobleski
A Message of Hope by Pat Overley (son’s death by suicide)
Infant Death
When Hello Means Goodbye by Pat Schwiebert, R.N. & Paul Kirk, M.D.
An Empty Cradle, A Full Heart by Christine O’Keeffe Lafser
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby by Deborah L. Davis
Newborn Death by Centering Corporation
Healing Together (for couples whose baby died) by M. Lister and S. Lowell
Coming to Term: A Father’s Story of Birth, Loss, and Survival by William H., Jr. Woodwell
When a Baby Dies by The Compassionate Friends
Grieving Grandparents – After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death’
Pre-Natal Losses
Miscarriage by Centering Corporation
Miscarriage: A Man’s Book by Rick Wheat
All Seasons Pass by Martha Manning
Empty Arms: Coping After Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Death by Sherokee Ilse
Ectopic Pregnancy Centering Corporation Resource
Death of an Only Child or All Children
Alive Alone by Kay Bevington (booklet and newsletter)
This is an EXCELLENT web site with much information and recommended books for bereaved parents
Now Childless by Kay Bevington & Don Hackett
Parting is Not Goodbye by Kelly Osmont
Saying Olin to Say Goodbye by Don Hackett
Standing Beside You by Linda Mauer
The Secret Wound by Lois Gold
Grieving Children
Explaining Death to Children
Tell Me, Papa by Joy & Marv Johnson ages 3-8 (explaining death & funerals)
Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by B. Mellonie & R. Ingpen age 3-8
I Know I Made It Happen by Lynn Blackburn (helping children understand it was not their fault)
Children Grieve, Too by Joy and Marv Johnson with Jackie Bell & Jan Roberts
Lean on Me Gently by Doug Manning
Helping Children Cope with Grief by Alan Wolfelt
Sibling Grief by Marcia Scherago (a parent’s guide for all age groups)
Helping Children Grieve – When Someone They Love Dies by Theresa Huntley
Books for Children
Thank You for Coming to Say Goodbye by Roberts & Johnson age 6-12 (death & funerals)
Timothy Duck by Lynn Blackburn age 6-10 (death of a friend)
The Snowman by Robin Vogel ages 5-10 (death of a dad)
A Quilt for Elizabeth by Benette Tiffault ages 8-11 (dad’s death)
Learning to Say Goodbye: When a Parent Dies by Edna LeShan ages 8+
Secret Places: The Story of a Child’s Adventure with Grief by James Campbell age 7-10 (father’s death)
I Heard Your Mommy Died by Mark Scrivani ages 3-7
I Heard Your Daddy Died by Mark Scrivani ages 3-7
The Empty Place by Roberta Tremes ages 5-10 (death of a sibling)
No New Baby by Centering Corporation (for young children whose mommy miscarries)
Am I Still a Sister? by Allie Sims ages 6+
Grandpa’s Berries by Julie Dickerson ages 7-10
Green Mittens for Grandma by Bernice Hanks ages 5-9
A Child Remembers by ages 8-12 (journal for children)
For Teens
How It Feels When a Parent Dies by Jill Krementz (age 6-18)
Facing Change by Donna O’Toole
When a Friend Dies by Marilyn Gootman
Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers by Earl Grollman
When Death Walks In by Mark Scrivani
The Last Teenage Suicide by Norman Geller (suicide death of a friend)
Fire in My Heart, Ice in My Veins by Enid Traisman (journal for teens)
In My World by Linda Lazar (journal for teens who are facing a life-threatening illness)
Hurting Yourself: For Teens Who Have Attempted Suicide by Joy Johnson
A Teenager’s Book About Suicide by Earl Grollman
If you should have trouble finding a book, may I suggest:
Omaha. NE (866) 218-0101
Peggy Sweeney,
Funeral Director/Bereavement Educator
Grimes Funeral Chapels,
Kerrville TX
(830) 257-4544
peggy@grimesfuneralchapels.com
journeysthrugrief.blogspot.com