Grief & Loss

How does the heart understand grief when it is broken by the death of a loved one? To survive and live forward, those who grieve must find answers. Beyond the Broken Heart is an eight-week support and ministry program for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Author Julie Yarbrough chronicles her personal experience combined with a deep love of Scripture and years of leading grief support groups to create an authentic and deeply personal exploration of the grief journey.

The Small Group DVD contains eight video segments and two bonus sessions featuring the author and a licensed professional counselor. Each segment provides an introduction to the topic for the week while helping participants relate to the life experiences and stories of others who are familiar with the pain of loss and grief.

"Julie Yarbrough has walked through the valley of the shadow of death and experienced the pain and anguish of great grief, and she knows firsthand the comfort and strength that only God can provide. I commend this remarkable grief ministry program to you highly." --James W. Moore, Pastor in Residence, Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas

"With wisdom informed by her own experience and a warm regard for those who grieve, Julie Yarbrough guides the brokenhearted on an honest journey toward acceptance and hope. A refreshingly excellent resource for grief support." --Stephan Bauman, Senior Minister, Christ Church New York City

"Julie Yarbrough weaves understanding, care, and comfort together in such a way that the seemingly intolerable becomes tolerable, one breath at a time. This resource provides everything you need to promote, establish, and conduct grief groups throughout the year." --Judith Bone, Director of Adult Discipleship, Brentwood United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee

Carrying Them with Us: Living through Pregnancy and Infant Loss is a reflection on what pastors David Engelstad and Catherine Malotky have learned since the day in 1984 when their eight-week-old daughter Erin died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.Drawing on their own loss, they offer themselves as companions to parents who struggle to deal with the end of an eagerly anticipated pregnancy or the death of a joyfully welcomed baby. Readers will find in Carrying Them with Us comfort and wisdom, a spiritual perspective, and practical guidance.The authors also invite into this journey the caregivers--family, clergy and medical professionals, and friends--who accompany grieving parents.The book is organized around five questions the authors have found central to many parents' unfolding story: (1) How can this have happened? (2) Why do I feel like this? (3) How do I keep going? (4) What do I make of life after this? And (5) Who am I becoming?Engelstad and Malotky show readers a path from devastating sadness toward healing, a way for grieving parents to keep going and, one day, to embrace new life.

Unfortunately, grief and loss are inevitable parts of living. No one escapes. Even so, it's difficult to know how to console those who have reached a broken place in their lives. What is the best way to show compassion when words cannot be enough?

In The Gift of Compassion, author Becca Stevens offers practical help for pastors, Stephen ministers, congregational caregivers, and other laity serving the broken-hearted. With a central message on the importance of simply being present for people who are grieving, Stevens combines practical how-to's with prayers, Scriptures, suggestions fro ways to serve the sacraments, and inspiration about the peace of God that passes all understanding.

This small book outlines meaningful ways to show compassion through planning visits, writing notes, finding appropriate Scriptures and prayer to read, avoiding cliches, and offering the presence of God to people suffering through the dark and searching experience of grief.

From that beginning of this work, the author offers a path for those who grieve, whether the loss is from a physical death, a looming divorce, declining health, bankruptcy, or some other wound. Each of the 10 meditations in this journal corresponds to a stage of grief as outlined in Granger Westberg's classic book "Good Grief."

"In A Grief Received, JL Gerhardt offers a personal, authentic, and practical approach to weathering grief with hope. Writing with deep insight, she draws on the loss of her younger brother when she was 21 and other personal experiences of grief. Through nine practices grieving people can adopt to position themselves to receive the gifts of grief, Gerhardt sheds light on a path to personal transformation. Chapters include personal reflection questions and suggested resources. Readers will feel comforted, directed, and inspired to seek God and God's shaping in their grief."--Publisher's website.

Because our relationships with our animal companions are unlike human relationships, the death of a pet is like no other loss that we will experience. In this book, Betty J. Carmack draws on the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, her own experience, and interviews with dozens of pet lovers to guide the reader through the initial loss of a pet to the dawning of new hope and reassurance.

There is no sure route through grieving. Jerusha McCormack provides instead a series of signposts by which we may find our own path to a new life. "We are all amateurs at grief," she writes, "it comes to us all; we must all go through it. To treat grief as a problem to be fixed, or (worse still) to medicalize it, is to rob us of the extraordinary privilege of encountering this experience on our terms: for each of us has our own way of grieving, and each of us has something special to learn from the process."

This heartfelt manual is an indispensable and easily referenced resource for grieving grandparents, offering them a way forward after the death of a grandchild. Whether they were close to their grandchild and keenly feeling his or her absence, or even if they were not close to the child and are mourning the loss of a relationship they'll never have, this book offers grandparents compassionate comfort and practical ideas for their journey through grief, addressing as well the unique pain of watching their children mourn the loss of their child. The ideas offered in the book clarify the basic principles of grief and mourning and offer immediate suggestions for things grandparents can do to embrace their grief, honor and remember their grandchild, and begin to heal.

In Healing a Shattered Soul, Mindy Corporon invites readers to join her search for inspiration and hope after domestic terrorism took the lives of her father and son. Headlines about the attack circled the world. Now, Mindy takes readers inside her family's struggle, the support of their faith community and her commitment to courageous kindness.

A popular speaker, teacher and writer, Mindy has dedicated her life to encouraging kindness, faith and healing in congregations, companies and communities. Among the programs she has co-founded with this vision are the Faith Always Wins Foundation and Workplace Healing, LLC. She has traveled widely to lead workshops and speak at conferences, and also works with online events.

She explains that she wrote this book "for those who are seeking inspiration; for those who are searching for a glimmer of hope and faith; and for those in need of necessary, supportive relationships, even in the hardest times."

In his Foreword, best-selling author and pastor the Rev. Adam Hamilton writes, "Mindy Corporon's story helps us understand how one survives tragedy, and says to the reader, 'If Mindy can survive this, and can do what she has done, then surely I can survive the adversity I face and can bring something good from it.' "

The book's Preface is a heart-felt appeal to readers from another mother who suffered a tragic loss to domestic terrorism in recent years. Susan Bro is the mother of Heather Heyer, killed in Charlottesville, Virginia. In her Preface, Susan writes, "Mothers lose their children to violence every day, and yet many have no time to grieve and receive little to no public support or attention. We must hold space in our hearts and minds for them as we continue to overcome hate with love. People say, 'Love always wins.' I say that is true when we practice that love in meaningful ways that make a difference. I see Mindy Corporon as one of those mothers doing exactly that. We never want other mothers to experience the pain and loss of losing a loved one, especially a child, to hate. I am honored to call Mindy Corporon my friend. Her book offers hope in a time of pain, pointing the way forward with faith and love. Read it and be encouraged to find your own way forward through pain and loss."

Coming in May

A compassionate resource for friends, parents, relatives, teachers, volunteers, and caregivers, this series offers suggestions to help the grieving cope with the loss of a loved one. Often people do not know what to say--or what not to say--to someone they know who is mourning; this series teaches that the most important thing a person can do is listen, have compassion, be there for support, and do something helpful. This volume addresses what to expect from grieving young people, and how to provide safe outlets for teens to express emotion. Included in each book are tested, sensitive ideas for "carpe diem" actions that people can take right this minute--while still remaining supportive and honoring the mourner's loss.

After the loss of a loved one, once the services are over and the relatives and friends have gone home, we are left to enter a strange new land, where someone who has given meaning to our life is gone. Drawing on her own experience as well as that of others, author Martha Whitmore Hickman presents a year's worth of meditations for people dealing with this profound loss, offering solace and illuminating a way forward. From January 1 to December 31, each day's meditation considers a meaningful quotation or passage on grief or suffering, with sources ranging Shakespeare to Emily Dickinson, from the Christian Bible to Hindu proverbs. A thoughtful, sensitive collection, Healing After Loss will comfort and inspire listeners on their journeys through grief toward recovery.

When your family, neighborhood, city, or area of the country is affected by a natural disaster, it's normal and necessary to feel grief and the traumatic experience of actually witnessing and surviving the event may be consuming you. This book will help you understand and embrace your difficult thoughts and feelings. It will be a compassionate companion to you as you move through shock and numbness and struggle with ongoing grief symptoms such as fear, guilt, and sadness. Some of the 100 ideas explain the basic principles of grief and mourning and how they apply in the aftermath of a natural disaster, while others offer immediate, here-and-now suggestions of things you can do today to express your grief and live with meaning in each moment.

The miscarriage of a hoped-for child is a shattering loss and those who had already begun to feel attached to the baby will naturally grieve--particularly the mother and father but also siblings this baby would have had, extended family, and friends. This compassionate guide contains 100 practical ideas to help those affected by the tragedy of miscarriage, from teaching the principles of grief and mourning to practical, action-oriented tips for coping with the natural difficulties of a loss. Fostering communication between partners, explaining the loss to others, and reconciling anger and guilt are some of the additional topics covered in this compassionate book for those grieving in the aftermath of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

How does the heart understand grief when it is broken by the death of a husband or wife? To survive and live forward, those who grieve must find answers. Inside the Broken Heart is for anyone who has ever grieved the death of a spouse and asked 'why?' The book meets the reader at a spiritual place reserved specifically for widows and widowers. Author Julie Yarbrough survived the sudden and untimely death of her beloved husband, a prominent United Methodist minister. As a lay grief facilitator, she believes that those who seek comfort and inspiration in grief best identify with an authentic point of view. We grieve because we love, in direct proportion to the depth of our love. Spousal love is a sacred gift ordained by God, the death of husband or wife unlike any other experience of loss. The marriage vow moment 'until death do us part' forever changes those who survive. Grief cannot be understood until it is experienced. Grief is not a crisis of faith, it is a crisis of the heart.

Inside the Broken Heart uses topical references from the Bible to illuminate the unfamiliar emotions and questions of grief for the surviving spouse. Because we must grieve in order to live, the book explains spiritual and practical issues of grief and suggests specific coping strategies for widows and widowers. As journey through 'the valley of the shadow of death, ' Inside the Broken Heart guides the way back to fullness of life. Through rediscovery of hope, pain and sorrow are vanquished, death is rendered powerless, and grief is no more. We are healed by God's triumphant adequacy, 'He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds' (Psalm 147:3).


"Julie Yarbrough has walked through the valley of the shadow of death and experienced the pain and anguish of great grief, and she knows firsthand the comfort and strength that only God can provide. I commend this remarkable grief ministry program to you highly."

James W. Moore, Pastor in Residence, Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas

"With wisdom informed by her own experience and a warm regard for those who grieve, Julie Yarbrough guides the brokenhearted on an honest journey toward acceptance and hope. A refreshingly excellent resource for grief support."

Stephan Bauman, Senior Minister, Christ Church New York City

"Julie Yarbrough weaves understanding, care, and comfort together in such a way that the seemingly intolerable becomes tolerable, one breath at a time. This resource provides everything you need to promote, establish, and conduct grief groups throughout the year."

Judith Bone, Director of Adult Discipleship, Brentwood United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee

A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?

When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.

In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." --Randy Pausch

On the morning of February 6, 1991, Dennis Apple discovered the lifeless body of his son on their family room couch. Eighteen-year-old Denny had died without warning from what was later explained as complications due to Mono. Sixteen years later, Dennis still struggles with living in a world without his son.Life After the Death of My Son shares a glimpse of the unspeakable pain, helplessness, frustration, and eventual healing that Dennis and his wife, Buelah, have experienced since losing their son. Using excerpts from his journal--which he began the day after Denny died--Dennis explores the dark, lonely road of grieving for a child. He discloses his anger and disappointment with God, discusses his frustrations with friends and family, and shares how he's dealt with the grief attacks, which continue to sneak up and surprise him. His painful, yet promising story offers comfort and connection to those walking similar paths. With understanding and compassion, Dennis offers grieving parents insight from 10 lessons he's learned--and continues to learn. His gentle words and honest understanding will guide those with grieving hearts on their difficult journey; giving them hope; helping them to discover ways in which God is able to continue the life of the child they loved.

For times that call for contemplation or prayer, for times of difficulty or worry, for times of joy and happiness, for special occasions or special events, these booklets can help you find the right words, the meaningful thought, the comforting reflection. For the cost of a greeting card, each Looking Up booklet provides 24 pages of insight, wisdom, meditation, direction, comfort, and prayer. Useful for pastors and caregivers, or from friend to friend, Looking Up conveys caring in exceptional ways.

By exploring the ethics of resisting and accepting death from a Christian perspective, Nancy Duff encourages Christians to talk about death in the context of Christian faith. Making Faithful Decisions at the End of Life helps readers use biblical and theological perspectives regarding death to inform end-of-life decisions, consider where they stand on withdrawing life support and supporting death with dignity laws, and take steps in planning for their own future.

A picture book to guide the reader through different emotions and reactions related to grieving.

The text and illustrations of this lushly colored picture book guide the reader through different emotions and reactions related to grieving, including shock, tears, anger, and hope. My Favorite Color is Blue. Sometimes. is a children's picture book by design, but accessible to people of all ages.

Following the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, author Roger Hutchison had the privilege of painting with children who had witnessed this tragic event. The experience affected him profoundly and convinced him of a vocation to serve those who grieve with his writing and art.

No One Has to Die Alone offers meaningful insights and practical tools to rise above fear and make a difference in how we face the transition of death, dying, and bereavement.

Caring for a terminally ill loved one can be the single biggest challenge of your life. Drawing from her experience sitting with over 500 people as they died and caring for her own terminally ill father, Dr. Lani Leary gently guides caregivers, family, and friends through the difficult transitions of illness, death, and bereavement.

No One Has to Die Alone offers the practical skills, vocabulary, and insights needed to truly address the needs of a dying loved one while caring for yourself through the process. Dr. Leary shows both patient and caregiver how to rise above feelings of fear and isolation to find peace and meaning in each person's unique end-of-life experience.

Whether used as a reference book to address a particular challenge or read from start to finish, this is a must-read for anyone facing death or the loss of a loved one. You'll learn:

- how to listen to and support a loved one's needs;

- what to expect as a loved one declines and the different grieving processes and tasks;

- the key to supporting a grieving child;

- what resources are available for patients and caregivers;

- the lessons of near-death experiences and the value of after-death communications.

Paw Prints in the Stars is a very unique pet bereavement book written in the voice of the pet that has passed. This book brings peace and comfort and celebrates the love and lessons learned. There is space for treasured photos and journal pages for favorite memories as well as a special ribbon to hold collar tags.