Resources

The Guidebooks I Trust Most for Your Journey

There are so many good books on grief, and it can feel overwhelming to know where to start—especially in those early days when you may not feel like reading at all. That’s why I’ve narrowed this list to the resources I trust most.

I hope you’ll register to receive You’re Not Crazy, You’re Grieving. A Roadmap Through the First Year of Grief.  I created it for use on this site. It includes a map showing all the emotions and how they manifest during your grief journey, using Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey.  Margaret’s Grief Group, my blogs, and my YouTube videos will refer to this.  Frankly, it gave me hope as I looked at it during my own journey because it shows you will survive this and come out healed and stronger after you get through all the painful emotions and wounds.Get your free copy of “You’re Not Crazy, You’re Grieving.”

Primary Resources

These are the books I will frequently reference in the blog. They will deepen your understanding, give you practical tools, and help you discover meaning and healing in your loss.

Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart – Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.
If I could only choose one book to put into the hands of a griever, this would be it. Dr. Wolfelt weaves together warmth, psychological insight, and deep compassion in a way that makes you feel understood and less alone. His Ten Touchstones are not just chapters—they are gentle mile markers along the path of mourning, helping you know what to expect and how to engage with your grief rather than fear it. I use this “green book” with my grief groups every year, and we discover something new in its pages each time we revisit it.

Understanding Your Grief Journal: Exploring the Ten Touchstones – Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.
A companion to the book above, this journal gives you space to respond to prompts, write freely, and process your emotions on paper. Many group members have found that journaling along with our discussions helps them see their progress and remember insights later.

Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief – David Kessler
David Kessler’s work extends the grief model first developed with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, adding a sixth stage: meaning. This book offers more than comfort—it gives hope that even in the wake of devastating loss, you can integrate your grief into your life in a way that honors your loved one. Through real stories, his own personal loss, and practical reflection, Kessler invites you to create meaning that feels authentic to you, without rushing or forcing the process.

Finding Meaning: The Workbook – David Kessler
Guided exercises that expand on the principles in Finding Meaning. Can be done alone, with a trusted friend, or in a group setting. These exercises take you beyond reading and into action, helping you work through your grief in a hands-on, deeply personal way.

Other Recommended Resources

Understanding Your Suicide Grief – Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.
A compassionate guide for those grieving a loss by suicide, offering practical tools and insights unique to this type of grief.

Why Grief Matters: The Mourner’s Six Reconciliation Needs – Alan Wolfelt, Ph.D.
Explores why embracing grief is necessary for healing and outlines six essential needs to reconcile your loss over time.

Rebirth: The Journey of Pregnancy After a Loss – Joey Miller, MSW, LCSW
A deeply supportive book for those navigating pregnancy after loss. Miller addresses the tangled emotions of hope, fear, and grief with sensitivity and expertise, guiding readers toward emotional grounding during an often-overwhelming time.

The Needs of the Dying – David Kessler
Offers wisdom for those supporting a dying loved one, helping you create moments of comfort, connection, and meaning in their final days.

Websites

Center for Loss and Life Transition – www.centerforloss.com
Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s official site with articles, videos, and resources covering nearly every kind of loss.

Grief.com – www.grief.com
David Kessler’s site offers free grief resources, online workshops, and access to his books and courses.