The Path Through Grief

by BOUVARD, MARGUERITEGLADU, EVELYN

• ISBN13: 9781573921893
• ISBN10: 1573921890
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1998-02-01
• Publisher: Prometheus Books

Summary

Touched by the loss of a loved one or friend, the grief can be lonely and bewildering. Filled with compassion and sound practical advice, this insightful book helps not only those who are going through the grieving process, but also the families, friends, and professionals who want to reach out to the bereaved. With interviews and personal narratives, this guide explores all types of grief and loss: the death of a parent, spouse, child, sibling, friend, or domestic partner. Loss through illness, stillbirths, miscarriages, homicide, and suicide are also discussed. An important chapter on AIDS addresses the pain of society's reaction to the disease in addition to the personal anguish of loss. This is a companion on this sobering journey. Explaining the stages of bereavement, it shows how we can "reach the other side" of grief. Included are excellent tips and advice on how friends and health care professionals can help those who are grieving. A final chapter on resources offers advice on locating support groups along with lists of national and regional organisations. This essential volume speaks to each of us in a deeply personal and sensitive way.

Author Biography

Marguerite Bouvard is a resident scholar with the Women's Studies program at Brandeis University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 9
Foreword	p. 13
Introduction	p. 17
The Experience of Grief Today
Grief as a Personal Crisis	p. 31
Loss and Change	p. 42
The Crisis of Meaning	p. 51
When Someone Dies: The Early Phases of Grief
When a Parent of Young Adults Dies	p. 55
When a Spouse Dies	p. 61
When a Child Dies	p. 72
Stillbirths and Miscarriages	p. 80
When a Sibling Dies	p. 99
When a Parent of Mature Adults Dies	p. 109
When a Lover Dies	p. 116
When a Friend Dies	p. 118
Love and Grief	p. 122
Losing a Loved One Through Suicide or Homicide
When Someone We Love Commits Suicide	p. 127
When Someone We Love Is Murdered	p. 140
Losing a Loved One Through AIDS
When Someone We Love Dies of AIDS	p. 157
As Time Passes: The Phase of Disorganization
The Disorganization of Our Lives after the Death of a Loved One	p. 181
Facing the World without a Parent	p. 188
Lost in a World of Couples	p. 197
Living with the Absent Child	p. 209
The Conspiracy of Silence: Living without a Sibling	p. 220
How We Can Help Ourselves
Maintaining Stability	p. 229
Expressing Our Feelings	p. 238
Coping with Daily Living	p. 248
Supports	p. 256
Reminders, Memorials, and Rituals	p. 264
How Friends and Coworkers Can Help
Helping a Friend	p. 273
How to Write a Letter of Sympathy	p. 285
Helping the Grieving Worker	p. 289
Reaching the Other Side of Grief
The Path to a New Life	p. 297
App. A: Resources	p. 313
App. B: Additional Readings	p. 327
About the Author and Collaborator	p. 333
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.