EXPERIENCING THE LOSS OF A FAMILY MEMBER by H Norman Wright

I chose to review EXPERIENCING THE LOSS OF A FAMILY MEMBER because I am the Bereavement Support Group Leader in my church, I am always interested in information that will help me do what I do better. I am a Bereavement Support Leader because I know what it is like to loose a loved one, for me it was my 27 year old son and my 70 year old mother within thirty days of each other. No one understands grief like the bereaved.

EXPERIENCING THE LOSS OF A FAMILY MEMBER Discover the Path to Hope and Healing by Norman Wright is a very relevant book for those who want to know when the pain will go away. No, there is no set date in which a person will be completely “pain free” however there is a way to put the loss of a loved one in perspective.

This book has something for everyone. There are chapters dedicated to the loss of: a spouse, a child, a parent, sibling, friend and, yes, the loss of a pet. There are two chapters dedicated to the loss of a parent, one which addresses a woman and her mother and another which discusses a man and his father; great information. Chapter four, a must read for anyone who has to talk to children regarding a loss, “Helping Children in Grief”.

I would say this book is appropriate even if you have not experienced death because you probably will some day. Chapter 11 “Helping Others” makes this book necessary for people who want to be there for a friend or family as they grieve. Every person who has ever experienced a loss can share with you at least five (I am being generous) dumb things a person has said thinking it was appropriate.

This book is filled with information that I have not shared only because this review has already surpassed my 200 word standard. I recommend you purchase this book if not for yourself then for someone you know who has experienced the loss of someone they love.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BETHANY HOUSE book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”