Books on Grief and Bereavement
How Books Can Help
Books are an invaluable source of information, advice and support.
A physical book can be a companion that you can return to time and time again. It can be taken with you to a place where you feel comfortable reading it and where you won’t be disturbed.
If you own the book and don’t mind marking it, it can be really useful to highlight phrases or paragraphs that you can refer back to when needed. And, if and when you feel you no longer need the book, it is lovely to be able to pass it on to someone else who might benefit from its wisdom and insights.
Finding the Right Book
There are lots of different types of book. The right book for you will be a very personal choice and you may find you need different books for different stages in your journey through grief.
Bereavement support groups can be a good place to find recommendations and reviews too.
Books for a Specific Audience
There are also books written for people based on their age or particular circumstances. For example, for a child or teenager, or for someone who has lost a partner or a baby.
Books Written by Experts and Professionals
Some are written by experts, such as psychologists or bereavement counsellors. Their knowledge and experience can be invaluable. They can help you to understand what you are going through and provide coping strategies and other really useful information and advice.
Books Based on Ordinary People’s Experiences
Others are written by people who have experienced a loss and want to share what they have been through with others. No two people will experience a bereavement in the same way, but it can be helpful to hear about how they coped and to know that other people may be feeling the same way that you are.
Science-based Books
There are also science based books which look at the neurology of grief and bereavement and how the brain responds to such a profound loss. Understanding the physical and neurological basis for some of the things you are experiencing can be enlightenning and reassuring. Your brain needs time to rewire after a loss. This process can’t be hurried, but there are strategies and behaviors that can help.
Where to Find Books
If you have one, your local library should have a wide selection of books, or may be able to order a particular book for you. Using a library enables you to try a number of titles and authors to see which resonate most.
Your local book shop can also be a good place to browse and get recommendations. This gives you a chance to flip through the book before you buy.
And of course there is a huge selection of books online that can be ordered over the internet or sometimes downloaded for free. Often the websites will have a summaries and reviews which can be useful too.
How whiteballoon Can Help
You can find a selection of books in our Books and Guides section, which might be a good place to start. Some of these have been reviewed more fully by us on our Blog page.
