Grief, Loss and Healing

The listings below are helpful links to help one through the grieving process. 

• Coping with Death, Loss and Grief
  A brief overview from Hampden-Sydney College's Counseling Center. The death of a loved one is one of the most severe traumas we encounter, and the sense of loss and grief which follows is a natural and important part of life. It is not a sign of weakness, but rather a healthy and fitting response - a tribute to one loved and lost to death. Running away from grief postpones sorrow; clinging to grief prolongs pain. Neither leads to healing.
  

• Final Words: Delivering a Eulogy By Marie Wallace
  The death of a family member, close friend or colleague, whether expected or unexpected, always comes as a shock and stirs unfamiliar emotions of loss. We are never ready for the passing and even less ready to speak at the funeral or memorial service. Yet delivering a eulogy is a rewarding and healing experience. The trick is to know how to prepare. A eulogy is a great gift--to the deceased, other mourners and yourself. Offer it whenever there is an opportunity.
  
  Military Specific

• Gold Star Wives
  Washington Liaison Office, 5510 Columbia Pike, Suite 205, Arlington, VA 22204
  Ph: 1-888-479-9788
  Email: gswives2@aol.com
  URL: www.goldstarwives.org
  
  "Gold Star Wives is a support organization for spouses of those killed in the military on active duty or from service connected disabilities. GSW provides information on benefits and works to obtain additional benefits on a local and national level." 
  
• No Greater Love
  1750 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006
  (202) 783-4665
  URL: www.ngl.org/
  ".No Greater Love is dedicated to providing annual programs of remembrance, friendship and care for families who lost a loved one in the service of our country or by an act of terrorism." 
  
• The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS )
  2001 S Street, N.W., #300, Washington D.C., 20009, Ph: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
  Email: info@taps.org
  URL: www.taps.org/"
  TAPS a national non-profit organization made up of, and providing services to, all those who have lost a loved one while serving in the Armed Forces."

    Printed Material

• Healing Into Life & Death.--Stephen Levine. (Many other pertinent books and tapes, too.) Buddhist in technique, but made approachable for everyone. Stephen and Ondrea have worked with the dying and their loved ones for many years.
• Healing Life's Hurts: The 5 Stages of Forgiveness--Dennis & Matthew Linn. One of the first "stages of grieving" books. Written by 2 Catholic priests. They've written many other books since then.
• Meditation for Kids (And Other Beings)--Laurie Fisher Huck. Not death-specific; but this little, blue book is the best way I know to find a little bit of peace. Hilarious illustrations that really get points across.
• Mr. God, This Is Anna--"Fynn". True story of a teenager and the little runaway he brings home. Anna was into exploring *everything* about life, death,...and why light frays. A *little bit* of Christian content--but Anna was very firm about going deeper than the spiritual names that are put on people and ideas. Very good, whether you need comfort, laughter, or a mind-stretch.
• Time Remembered: A Journal For Survivors.--Earl Grollman. This is a grief journal, to be used when someone you love has died. Has some gentle, leading questions/topics. NOTE: there are now lots of other grief journals on the market, too.

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