Recommended Resource

Sometimes people ask me about helpful resources I recommend on the grieving process. While there are several good books and articles available, my most common recommendation is to point the questioner toward the Center for Loss & Life Transition. This organization is dedicated to helping people who are grieving and those who care for them. Interested individuals can explore their website and learn some basics about the grief process and even search for recommended counselors. The director of the Center for Loss & Life Transition is Dr. Alan Wolfelt. Dr. Wolfelt has developed an approach to helping those who are grieving by offering them a companion who listens rather than a counselor who directs them.

Cover of book, Companioning the Bereaved

Dr. Wolfelt's best known book is titled, Companioning the Bereaved. This resource details his perspective that those who have experienced the loss of a loved one are best served through support and engaged listening. There is no magic formula for supporting those in mourning, but there are approaches and skills that can help the hurting move toward healing. This is a great resource for anyone who is walking alongside someone who has experienced the loss of a loved one.

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