Top 12 Grief Books

Melissa Wilson
12 min readJul 13, 2024

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Dive into the world of heartfelt emotions with our latest book roundup, Grief Books. In this collection, we explore a curated list of titles that offer insights, solace, and strength during times of loss. Whether you’re seeking guidance for healing or looking to support a friend in their grieving process, our roundup provides a comprehensive selection of books to help guide you through this challenging journey.

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1. The Heart of Grief

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Death and the Search for Lasting Love

Delve into the depths of grief with Thomas Attig’s insightful book, “The Heart of Grief: Death and the Search for Lasting Love. “ In this poignant exploration, Attig debunks Shakespeare’s notion that grief should be past after loss and argues for the importance of holding onto cherished memories and embracing the love that endures.

Filled with inspiring anecdotes of people learning to cope with death and finding enduring love, “The Heart of Grief” offers guidance and comfort to those navigating the complexities of grieving, encouraging them to nurture the bond with their loved ones in a new and enduring way. This groundbreaking and compassionate work paves the way toward healing and highlights the transformative power of love in the face of death. Experience a renewed connection to those who have passed, and find solace in the knowledge that their love continues to thrive.

  • Authors: Thomas Attig
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press
  • Published Date: October 19, 2000
  • Page Count: 320
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Self-Help
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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2. Grief Observed

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Grief Observed is a poignant exploration of life, death, and faith through the eyes of C. S. Lewis. Written in the aftermath of his wife’s passing, this intimate reflection invites readers to delve deep into the complexities of grief and the search for meaning.

With profound insights and unwavering honesty, Lewis shares his journey towards regaining a sense of purpose and connection with the divine amidst overwhelming loss. This 116-page masterpiece from Zondervan Publishing offers a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of a man grappling with the most fundamental questions of existence.

  • Authors: C. S. Lewis
  • Publisher: Zondervan
  • Published Date: February 06, 2001
  • Page Count: 116
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Religion
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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3. Understanding Your Grief

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Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart

“Embracing Your Grief” provides a caring examination of the crucial aspects for mending your heart and discovering hope amidst the devastation of loss. Written by renowned author Alan D. Wolfelt, this enlightening book delves into the significant distinction between grief and mourning, emphasizing the significance of acknowledging death and embracing the anguish. The book illuminates the numerous factors that shape each person’s grief experience and delves into the vast spectrum of normal thoughts and emotions mourners may encounter.

“Embracing Your Grief” also tackles the intricate relationship between spirituality and religion in the grieving process. By asserting the rights of mourners to be compassionate with themselves, seek support from others, and trust their own healing capacities, the author empowers readers to traverse their journey on the path to healing. Furthermore, the book includes journaling sections that encourage mourners to articulate their distinctive thoughts and emotions throughout their grief journey.

Comprising 194 pages, “Embracing Your Grief” serves as an invaluable resource for those seeking comprehension and guidance following a loss.

  • Authors: Alan D. Wolfelt
  • Publisher: Companion Press
  • Published Date: February 01, 2004
  • Page Count: 194
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Self-Help
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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4. The Understanding Your Grief Journal

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Exploring the Ten Essential Touchstones

The Understanding Your Grief Journal: Exploring the Ten Essential Touchstones is a powerful companion workbook to Understanding Your Grief, guiding readers through the intricate world of grief. With a focus on exploring and understanding personal experiences, this engaging journal provides readers with the tools to process their emotions and navigate the complexities of loss.

By examining ten essential touchstones — such as engaging with the presence of loss, dispelling misconceptions about grief, and seeking help — this journal encourages reflective self-discovery and provides a safe space for mourners to unveil the hidden facets of their grief journey.

Structured around open-ended questions and designated writing space, this workbook acts as a valuable companion for those seeking guidance, healing, and peace after the experience of loss. Whether it’s for yourself or someone dear, The Understanding Your Grief Journal provides a roadmap to finding hope and healing under the shadow of grief.

  • Authors: Alan D. Wolfelt
  • Publisher: Companion Press
  • Published Date: April 01, 2004
  • Page Count: 162
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Self-Help
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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5. Experiencing Grief

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Experiencing Grief is a thoughtfully compiled resource that serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the complex process of grief. With a focus on ministry applications, this book is an affordable and practical tool for individuals and churches seeking to offer compassionate support to those in mourning.

Comprising five distinct sections that align with the stages of grief — shock, rage, despair, release, and peace — this poignant volume offers readers valuable insights and practical advice for coping with the emotional turmoil that often accompanies the loss of a loved one.

Whether delivered as a bereavement card or incorporated into counseling sessions, Experiencing Grief is intended for broad distribution and serves as an empathetic offering of hope and comfort to those who grieve.

With an accessible and easy-to-understand tone, this 98-page book, published by B&H Publishing Group in 2004, has been invaluable for countless individuals and families in the midst of grief.

  • Authors: H. Norman Wright
  • Publisher: B&H Publishing Group
  • Published Date: April 06, 2004
  • Page Count: 98
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Family & Relationships
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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6. On Grief and Grieving

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Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss

On Grief and Grieving, co-authored by Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and Dr.

David Kessler, is a deeply compassionate guide that navigates the complexities of grief. Exploring the five stages of loss through a humanistic lens, this book provides profound insights into coping with loss and understanding the grieving process. Drawing upon years of experience and research, the authors offer a comprehensive exploration of the human experience, helping readers find solace and meaning amidst grief.

With its empathetic approach, On Grief and Grieving is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking solace and guidance in their time of mourning.

  • Authors: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, David Kessler
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published Date: July 19, 2005
  • Page Count: 257
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Self-Help
  • Average Rating: 3.0
  • Ratings Count: 1.0
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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7. Surviving Grief

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The Little Guide to Cope with Loss

“Surviving Grief: The Little Guide to Cope with Loss” by Suly Rieman is a compassionate and supportive resource for those who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a child. This practical guide serves as a powerful companion for grieving parents, helping them to navigate the heartache, pain, and overwhelming emotions that accompany such profound sorrow. By acknowledging and permitting themselves to grieve, readers can begin the process of healing and finding solace.

This book, with its 82 pages, offers tangible strategies and heartfelt wisdom, providing tools to face the reality of loss while still cherishing the memory of their child.

  • Authors: Suly Rieman
  • Publisher: WestBow Press
  • Published Date: March 30, 2011
  • Page Count: 82
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Self-Help
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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8. Understanding Grief

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Helping Yourself Heal

Grieve with understanding and compassion as you navigate the loss of a loved one with Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s “Understanding Grief: Helping Yourself Heal. “ Written with the grieving in mind, this classic resource offers invaluable guidance and support, helping you work through your personal grief process.

In “Understanding Grief, “ you’ll find the tools and techniques needed to come to terms with your feelings and find a new sense of purpose in life. As you journey through the book, you’ll be inspired by the compassionate narratives shared by experts and those who have come before you, guiding you in your healing process.

Drawing on years of experience and research, Dr. Wolfelt emphasizes the importance of self-understanding, empathy, and resilience in the face of loss. By cultivating a deeper understanding of grief, you’ll be better equipped to support both yourself and others during this most challenging of times.

Covering topics such as children’s grieving, grief and transitions, and the search for meaning following loss, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of grief and its many facets. With its thoughtful insight, personal narratives, and valuable resources, “Understanding Grief” stands as an essential companion in your journey toward healing.

So don’t face grief alone. Reach for the comfort and guidance provided by Dr. Alan Wolfelt in “Understanding Grief: Helping Yourself Heal” and take the first steps on the path to healing.

  • Authors: Alan Wolfelt
  • Publisher: Routledge
  • Published Date: June 17, 2013
  • Page Count: 218
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Psychology
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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9. When Grief Is Complicated

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A Model for Therapists to Understand, Identify, and Companion Grievers Lost in the Wilderness of Complicated Grief

In When Grief Is Complicated, Dr. Alan Wolfelt, one of the world’s leading grief educators, provides a comprehensive guide for therapists and caregivers to recognize and companion those who have fallen victim to the complexities of grief. This invaluable resource delves into the factors that contribute to complicated grief, such as suicide, homicide, or multiple losses within a short time period, leaving mourners struggling to cope with their heart-wrenching anguish.

Featuring a distinctive model for identifying the symptoms of complicated grief, Dr. Wolfelt offers insightful guidance and real-life examples, walking readers through the labyrinthine world of challenging grief journeys. This essential addition to the medical professional’s library serves as a beacon of hope for those who struggle in the vast wilderness of complicated grief.

  • Authors: Alan Wolfelt
  • Publisher: Companion Press
  • Published Date: March 01, 2018
  • Page Count: 160
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Psychology
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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10. The Psychology of Grief

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Plunge into the intricacies of human emotions with “The Psychology of Grief” by Richard Gross. This enlightening book offers a deep dive into the complex and commonly misconstrued experience of grief, resulting from the loss of a cherished loved one.

Richard Gross delves into the social and cultural forces that form our perception of this profound process, drawing from the foundations of Freudian psychoanalysis to the outdated notions of “stages” of grief. Gross meticulously examines the profound influence of grief on our emotions, self-image, and interpersonal relationships through a wealth of psychological perspectives.

A must-read for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of the raw and transformative power of grief, and to learn how to navigate through it.

  • Authors: Richard Gross
  • Publisher: Routledge
  • Published Date: March 15, 2018
  • Page Count: 128
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Psychology
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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11. Finding Meaning

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The Sixth Stage of Grief

In the sixth stage of grief, discover meaning as David Kessler unveils his groundbreaking theory in “Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief”. With a legacy of expertise on grief and as coauthor of the iconic “On Grief and Grieving, “ Kessler presents an insightful exploration of loss and its profound impact on our lives.

“Finding Meaning” transcends the widely accepted five stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance — to reveal this critical, transformative stage. Kessler’s journey through grief began early, witnessing his mother’s death during a mass shooting as a child. As a grieving father and expert, he provides readers with a roadmap to embrace a lasting love for those we’ve lost, rather than succumbing to the relentless pain of loss.

Throughout “Finding Meaning, “ Kessler shares his personal and professional experiences, as well as the collective wisdom he’s gained from working with the grieving. Whether navigating sudden loss or end-of-life journeys, Kessler’s insight into the complexities of grief offers a comforting, essential guide to creating meaning beyond the stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

As a self-help book focused on healing from immense loss and embracing the transformative power of grief, “Finding Meaning” serves as a vital addition to grief literature and a beacon of hope for anyone seeking solace, understanding, and purpose amidst the anguish of loss. Unveil the uncharted territory of grieving’s final frontier — meaning — and embark on a profound, transformative journey towards healing.

  • Authors: David Kessler
  • Publisher: Scribner
  • Published Date: November 05, 2019
  • Page Count: 272
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Self-Help
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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12. Hardcore Grief Recovery

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An Honest Guide to Getting through Grief without the Condolences, Sympathy, and Other BS

Hardcore Grief Recovery, an honest and no-nonsense guide to navigating grief, breaks away from platitudes and condolences that often surround the grieving process. Authored by Steve Case, this self-help book provides a straightforward approach to healing, inviting readers to dive deep into the complex and messy nature of grief.

Embracing the concept of radical honesty, Hardcore Grief Recovery offers practical techniques, exercises, and thought-provoking prompts to guide readers through their unique grieving journey. Readers will discover unconventional methods for healing that resonate with them personally, fostering true emotional growth and renewed hope.

Featuring an unflinching approach, Hardcore Grief Recovery encourages readers to break free from societal norms and embrace their grief honestly, at their own pace, and in their own way. This empowering and transformative self-help book is your partner in reclaiming control over your emotions and finding a path to healing and resilience.

Whether you’re mourning the loss of a loved one or grieving any significant loss in your life, Hardcore Grief Recovery is your guide to overcoming the challenges and finding a path forward. Pair this powerful book with the companion Hardcore Grief Recovery Workbook for journaling your way through the grieving process.

Hardcore Grief Recovery, by Steve Case, is a 70-page book that features a bold, refreshing, and authentic approach to healing from the pain of loss. As a self-help book, it’s perfect for those seeking guidance and support during a difficult time, offering a unique blend of practical advice and emotional exploration. Join the author on this transformative journey and take the first step toward reclaiming your emotional well-being and mental health.

  • Authors: Steve Case
  • Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
  • Published Date: April 10, 2020
  • Page Count: 70
  • Print Type: BOOK
  • Categories: Self-Help
  • Maturity Rating: NOT_MATURE
  • Language: en

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