Solace: Finding Your Way Through Grief and Learning to Live Again

There is no more stressful and traumatic experience than coping with the death of a loved one. There are various stages of grief and loss, which often take months or even years for many people to overcome. But with the right guidance, readers can learn to lessen the pain and live happy lives. "Solace" provides soothing comfort and hope for those who are suffering. As an award-winning bereavement expert, Roberta Temes believe all of us experience and process grief in our own way. Here she helps readers through the stages of grief, tells them when they should worry, helps them consider the pros and cons of bereavement groups and counselors, and shows them how to use visualization to help the healing process. Featuring anecdotes drawn from her bereavement practice so readers may learn from the experiences of others who have also gone through and struggled with loss, "Solace" is also filled with comforting affirmations, quotations and words of encouragement. Dealing with loss is never easy, but this book provides a calming companion to help readers through their mourning and begin enjoying life again.

Table of Contents:
CONTENTS Author's Note xi Acknowledgments xiii Introduction 1 Chapter 1:What Is Bereavement? 5 Initial Numbness 8 Disorganization 11 Your Emotions Now 12 Your Needs Now 19 Reorganization 20 Chapter 2:Cause for Concern? 25 When to Worry 25 Can You Die of a Broken Heart? 28 Strange Things Are Happening 29 Are You Having Visitation Dreams? 29 Are You Having Flashbulb Memories? 30 Are You Having Hallucinations? 30 Are You Forgetting About the Death? 31 Are You Crying? 32 Are You Suffering from Stress? 34 Chapter 3: Helping Yourself 39 Work Is Therapy 39 Socializing Is Therapy 40 Organizing Is Therapy 40 Taking Action Is Therapy 42 Food Is Therapy 43 Planning Is Therapy 44 Religion Is Therapy 44 Writing Is Therapy 45 Art Is Therapy 49 Learning Is Therapy 51 Reading Is Therapy 51 Sweet Moments 52 Chapter 4: Help from Others 55 Bereavement Groups 55 Disenfranchised Grief 58 Group Benefits 61 Bereavement Counselors-Pros and Cons 64 Repression 66 The Myth of Closure 67 Help for Military Widows 68 Your Funeral Director 69 Your Family and Friends 70 The Unhelpful 72 Financial Assistants 73 Finding Help on the Internet 74 Websites 76 Blogs 84 YouTube 86 Chapter 5: Rituals and Remembering 89 Funerals 89 Cremation 90 Green Burials 91 Eulogies 92 Mourning Customs 94 Monuments 96 Anniversary Days 99 Personal Rituals 100 Memorial Celebrations 101 Chapter 6: Helping Children Through Grief 103 Listening to Your Children 104 Speaking to Your Children 106 Understanding Your Children 109 Chapter 7: Novel Ways to Help Yourself 113 The Tapping Cure 113 Visualizations That Heal 117 Chapter 8:Your Future 121 Reinvention 123 Conclusion 126 Appendix 129 Bibliography by Chapter 139 Index 141

About the Author :
Roberta Temes who has taught classes in death, dying and bereavement at schools such as Downstate Medical School, CUNY, U Penn Continuing Education for Physicians among others, is also the author of several books, including the award-winning Living with an Empty Chair: A Guide Through Grief.

Review :
..".thoughtfully crafted a self-help guide to grief that is easy to read and centered on readers who are now going through the process of grief..." -- Suite 101 ."..thoughtfully crafted a self-help guide to grief that is easy to read and centered on readers who are now going through the process of grief..." -- Suite 101 “…thoughtfully crafted a self-help guide to grief that is easy to read and centered on readers who are now going through the process of grief…” -- Suite 101 “Many…are grieving loved ones, and the grief certainly contributes to their depression. A fantastic book I just came across is Solace.” -- Beyond Blue ” …offers psychological guidance, practical advice and reassurance to the bereaved…alerts the bereaved to genuine signs of when to worry and consider seeking professional help.” -- Director ..".thoughtfully crafted a self-help guide to grief that is easy to read and centered on readers who are now going through the process of grief..." -- Suite 101 " ...offers psychological guidance, practical advice and reassurance to the bereaved...alerts the bereaved to genuine signs of when to worry and consider seeking professional help." -- Director "Many...are grieving loved ones, and the grief certainly contributes to their depression. A fantastic book I just came across is Solace." -- Beyond Blue