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Experiencing the Loss of a Family Member: Discover the Path to Hope and Healing

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Respected counselor H. Norman Wright guides you through the grieving process, showing that you aren't alone; he'll help you understand the emotions that accompany loss so that you can find hope and the path to healing.

222 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2014

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25 people want to read

About the author

H. Norman Wright

277 books71 followers
H. Norman Wright is a well-respected Christian counselor who has helped thousands of people improve their relationships and deal with grief, tragedy, and other concerns. He helps couples bring vibrancy to their relationships through counseling, seminars, and more than 90 books, including Before You Say “I Do” and After You Say “I Do.” Norm also reveals insights for spiritual growth, great relationships, and success in devotionals that include Strong to the Core, Quiet Times for Every Parent, and Truly Devoted: What Dogs Teach Us About Life, Love, and Loyalty. www.hnormanwright.com

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer L..
Author 3 books12 followers
October 30, 2014
I hate that this book applies to me this year. My parents owned a gravestone business when I was growing up, so I was often around when there were others dealing with their grief, many of my childhood photos took place in cemeteries because we often made a trip Dad needed to make for work into a family trip, and I even met my best friend in elementary school when her family stopped in to buy a monument for her brother. But as much as I had been around grief, it's another story when it hits home. This year I lost my mother, my grand-father-in-law, and several family friends.

When my mother died, it felt like my world stopped. She had been going downhill, but it was still a surprise. There seemed nothing different about that day than any other, but that day will be engrained in my memory, down to the clothes I was wearing.

Life has to go on for the living, even if we don't want it to. There are fears and losses. I'm dealing right now about how I plan my wedding since both of my parents have passed away. Milestones bring back memories. Holidays are no different. Things change even when we don't want them to.

This book, Experiencing the Loss of a Family Member helps work through that grief and emotion. It reminds you that what you are feeling is okay. There are questions to help you think about why you are feeling the way you are. Examples are "I am afraid of ______. What can I do about it? ______"

This book is difficult to read. Yet, I'm so glad I did. There are different chapters, and not all relate to me, but each one had something worthwhile in it. The chapters are:

The World of Grief
The Loss of a Spouse
The Loss of a Child
Helping Children in Grief
The Death of a Parent
Parent Loss
The Loss of a Sibling
The Loss of a Friend
The Loss of a Pet
The Questions of Life
Helping Others

There are Bible verses in this book that help give hope. Hope is something that is so difficult to see when the sun has set on someone's life, but this book helped me go on. It helped me think about my own mortality, and that I want to be important enough in others' lives that they will need a book like this when it's my time to go.

This book encourages you to seek out others. Be it in a group setting of a grief support group, or calling up a friend. Life is a journey, and we need one another. If we didn't then we wouldn't be grieving.

I remember seeing a quote somewhere on line recently that I should be thankful for grief, it means I loved someone so much I miss them. That's true, but there's more heartbrokenness for me There is pain, but I get up every morning. I go on. And this book helped me start looking to the future instead of the past.

FTC disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Profile Image for Sally.
344 reviews
September 8, 2014
Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult journeys. Grief has no time table. Its effects can last from weeks to months or more and will be overwhelming at times. In the book “Experiencing the Loss of a Family Member” offers a guide as you deal with grief in assuring you, you are not alone. God walks every step of the way with you, guiding you to true peace and comfort.

This book deals with general grief, the loss of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, friend and even the loss of a pet. However I was particularly drawn to the section on the loss of a parent. Recently I have been struggling with accepting that my parent’s death is imminent. I didn’t realize when caring for a terminally ill parent, the grieving process can start long before the actual loss occurs. I have often felt guilty because the feelings I was experiencing were not what I would have expected of me. In reading this book, I have found that I am not alone. My feelings don’t make me a bad person---just human. I learned that grief can steal the ability to pray, leaving you lost and empty, that grief can cause riffs in your family, but more importantly I learned that through it all….no matter the loss God’s spirit is walking with me, even when I am overwhelmed and can’t feel His presence. In His gentle sweet way He reminds me of His love in a beautiful memory or a kind word from a friend.
Once I finished the section on the death of a parent, I went back and read the other sections. I am so glad I did as there is such a wealth of information that can be integrated into any situation of loss.

I would highly recommend this book if you are actively dealing with a loss or know that loss is imminent. It would also be a great reference to those who deal with grief counseling. There is peace and healing.


Disclosure: I was given a copy of this Book by the publisher, Bethany House, through Bethany House blogger program for review. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I compensated for my review. The opinions in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Tegan Vandenbosch.
25 reviews
October 1, 2014
Death is part of life and losing a loved one may be one of the hardest events a person goes through. Even though death is a natural process, often the equally natural process of grief is stifled by ignorant comments, social discomfort or even the selfishness of others. Grief is natural though and as the waves of anguish wash over, it may feel like the pain is so great that coping is almost impossible, or that it continues for so long that normal life won't resume. Experiencing the Loss of a Family Member explores the process of grief offering wisdom, gentle support and reassurance that you are not alone - God walks this path with you.

There are losses of many types, and each loss is different than another. Experiencing the Loss of a Family Member walks you through what grief is, how grief affects us and the different ways that grief occurs as we lose parents, children, siblings and even pets. There are also suggestions for those who want to help a loved one or friend in a loving and supportive manner.

I recommend this book for anyone who has lost someone they love and is looking for reassurance, wisdom and guidance in a nonjudgmental and loving form. I also recommend this book for friends and relatives who want to help someone who is grieving. Experiencing the Loss of a Loved One can show how to be supportive, what to say and more importantly what not to say, and ways to show love and remembrance to the person who has died.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany Publishing Company 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
341 reviews
August 11, 2015
Having lost my mother and my husband within a year of each other, I found myself reading as many books as I could on grief. It is an uncharted territory each of us must face at different times in our lives. We have no clue what is ahead, how we will respond, nor what is expected of us. As a Christian I wanted insights and guidance from the scriptures, and the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others. Yes, our experiences and how we deal with our grief differ, but there are similarities that tie us all together.
Dr. H. Norman Wright is a not only a writer but a Christian therapist. In this book he shares his expertise and biblical knowledge to being to begin your journey through the sorrow. This book is for everyone. He includes valuable help in the loss of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, friend, pet and more.
I was so overwhelmed and consumed that it was hard for me to step outside the box of my pain and see anything else. This book helped me do that. It was a beginning, a first step. I was amazed at how the author described in detail many of the feelings and experiences I was encountering. Most of all the many scriptures and Bible truths strengthen my anchor to the only One that could help me heal. My journey is far from over, but I am thankful for the support and counsel I received from this book.
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have stated are my own.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
348 reviews7 followers
October 12, 2014
Who wants to have the need for a book like this? Yet, in our lifetimes we will all experience a loss of some type and Experiencing the Loss of a Family Member by H. Norman Wright is a very good resource for anyone stuck in the mire of grief. From losing a parent, child, sibling, and even pet to helping children with their grief or knowing what to say to a friend.

I got a lot out of the losing a child chapter and was so glad to see that even a year out all my feelings are normal and just a part of grief. The feelings of fog, isolation, memory loss, passing of time. Yep, it's all there and it's all normal. The fact that H. Norman Wright lost a child makes it an even better resource...I know that he knows exactly what I am experiencing. I plan to purchase his book Missing the Child You Love.

I plan to pass this on to someone who experiences a loss in their family as I feel it is helpful to anyone grieving.

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Kasey Cocoa.
954 reviews38 followers
October 15, 2014
Nobody wants to have to experience the loss of someone they deeply care about, but alas that is part of life. Some of us can handle it better than others. Why struggle through this experience alone when you can read this book and understand not only that what you are feeling is normal, but what you can do to cope and heal. This book makes a wonderful gift, be it personal or for someone you know. An ARC was provided through Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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