Recommended Reading for Adults
Grief and loss affect each of us at some point in our lives.
We recommend the following books in the hope that you find comfort and understanding in their pages.
See our other recommendation reading categories: Books for Teens and Books for Children.
Recommended Reading for Adults
Living with Grief, Loss and Change
This book talks about normalising grief, learning to live a meaningful life with grief as opposed to ‘getting over’ it and looks at strategies for living constructively with grief, loss and change. These losses can occur from life events as diverse as death, retirement, divorce or health issues.
Anatomy of Bereavement
Dr. Beverly Raphael – Basic Books, 1986
This Australian pioneer in the field of loss and grief addresses the diverse causes of grief and the impact on various age groups. Has become a ‘classic’ of the genre.
Kenneth J. Doka (Ed.)- Research Press
This text is a collection of writing from various practitioners looking at the many types of loss which go unrecognized in the wider community.
Grief: The Mourning After 2nd Edition
Catherine Sanders – Wiley, 1998
This book can be read easily by professional and volunteer. It is an encouraging and helpful book outlining the process of grief with practical strategies to assist the bereaved.
The Phoenix Phenomenon: Rising from the Ashes of Grief
Joanne Jozefowski – Jason Aronson, 1999
This book outlines the very positive growth attainable following the loss of someone deeply loved. It is an inspirational book for those who have felt their world has ended. Mental health workers will find it very helpful.
Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy
J.W.Worden
This text offers counselling techniques and information on specific causes of death such as anticipatory grief and children’s violent death.
On Death and Dying
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross – Scribner, 1997
This simple book has been named as one of the mot significant studies in the area of psychology of the late 20th century. Dealing with the end of life feelings of terminally ill patients Kubler-Ross opened up public discussion around what had been treated as a taboo subject.
Nonfinite Grief
Elizabeth J. Bruce and Cynthia L. Schultz – Brookes 2001
This book by two women based in Victoria, Australia, has become a text of great importance to those who work with individuals and families living with non-ending loss and grief. This book looks at strategies to assist those (for example) who support people living with disabilities.
Continuing Bonds: New Understandings of Grief
Klass, Silverman, Nickman – Taylor and Francis 1996
This book demonstrates that individuals can resolve grief healthily while maintaining bonds of love with the deceased, challenging many previously proposed theories that there is a need to relinquish or let go of the loved one in order to live a productive life.
Coping with Grief
Mal McKissock – ABC Books 3rd Edition
This Australian writer has provided us with a wonderful basic book which is small and very accessible. An excellent ‘first book’ on loss and grief.
Death and Dying in Australia
Allan Kellehear – Oxford University Press 2000
An interdisciplinary scholarly book on death and dying in Australia
Living Beyond Loss
Walsh and others – W.W.Norton & Co. Ltd 2004
The impact of loss on family functioning and the reorganization of roles and relationships and related topics.
Living when a loved one dies
Earl A. Grollman, Beacon Press, 1995
Suitable for pocket or bedside, this gentle book guides the lonely and suffering as they move through the many facets of grief, begin to heal, and slowly build new lives.
Living with loss, healing with hope
Earl A Grollman, Beacon Press, 2020
Focusing on mourning in the Jewish tradition, the author applies psychology and religion to this important topic, instructing Jewish readers in how to use their faith to navigate this difficult life passage.
Conversations about death
Sally Cant, People With Passion Publishing, 2015
Conversations About Death is a much needed tool: to assist in those conversations about what things a person might consider for themselves and their families regarding their death; to understand what’s happening in the field of ‘death care’;
Time remembered
Earl A. Grollman, Beacon Press, 2018
A totally new approach to grief and recovery from it, from the author of Living When A Loved One Has Died and whose books have sold more than 300,000 copies.
Bookshops
We recommend the following bookshops or seeking assistance from your local library.
Peoplemaking Bookshop, 375 Camberwell Road, Camberwell – (03) 9813 2533
Open Leaves Bookshop, 79 Cardigan Street, Carlton – (03) 9347 2355
The Leaf Bookshop, 3/283 High St, Ashburton – (03) 9885 1900
Tobin Brothers Funerals
Celebrating Lives Since 1934
