Being There for Someone in Grief - Essential Lessons for Supporting Someone Grieving from Death, Loss and Trauma

by Marianna Cacciatore, Wayne Muller (Foreword)

Do you have a friend who is in the depths of grief from a loss of someone they love? Do you sometimes find yourself at a loss--wondering how to be there for her or him in a meaningful way? Or perhaps you are coping with sorrow and grief and would like those you love to be there for you in a way that is not intrusive or evasive, but healing. 

Being There For Someone in Grief is a book filled with stories--stories that teach a few basic skills used in grief counseling yet can be safely practiced by ordinary people. Common-sense things like listening and seeing someone just as they are. Allowing their unique way of grieving to be just as it is without an overlay of fear, pity or judgment. Bereavement is a challenging time, and therapists are extremely helpful, but we also need our friends and family to be there for us through the stages of grief and healing. 


Being There For Someone in Grief reveals the authors own insights as a childhood survivor of trauma as a result of a violent crime.  She knows the value of a true friend, a trauma therapist or counselor and victim advocates, all playing a role in healing grief. Being There for Someone in Grief offers essential lessons for supporting someone grieving from death, loss and trauma in a way that can be appreciated by lay people; respected by grief counselors and others in the healing arts; and treasured by those living with grief. 


In the pages of this book, you will learn how to be present for another in the unpredictability that death brings. Through storytelling, it offers a general map of the landscape you will journey as you learn to gaze into the face of suffering without running away. You will become skilled at being present for yourself, noticing your own fears and losses while being available to another. The stories and insights offered in this book will assure you that we are all on a journey from birth to death and that the person you love who is grieving will return from their dark night, although both of you may be changed. This book will help you learn to stay, even when it's hard. And if you should decide to be there authentically and intimately for someone who's grieving, a remarkable thing can happen - love can heal grief's wound. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

142 pages, Hardcover

First published February 14, 2010

Reviews

[Ann Chenhall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is full of wisdom based on years of experience. Listening and giving space to the person suffering is more productive than offering advice or pouring out your own pain. I really appreciated the individual stories, including the author's childhood trauma, wrapped in this wisdom. Just stuffing down grief, does not make it go away, and can shape a person's life from childhood onward. Her many years of forming and working with a nonprofit Children to Children support group changed many lives, both volunteers and families dealing with tragedy. I usually read on my kindle, but this book was a real book so I could even fold down a couple of corners for quick reference. This book was written in 2010, but is timeless. We never know when grief or joy is just around the corner in our lives.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved this book. It is a must have - I would say for everyone. There will come a day, or many days, where we each need to support one another throughout various grief in life. I needed to read this, and better understand how I can support grievers. It was a peaceful and easy read that provided many great lessons on how to simply be there. I highly recommend for those supporting grievers.

[Jonilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the anecdotes that were included about different ways people have grieved.

SALT seems really useful as well (See Them, Allow Them, Listen to them, Trust Them)