Best Books About Grieving

woman shopping in bookstore

Nobody is taught how to grieve, and discussions about death are few and far between in our modern society. Most people don’t want to think about the passing of a loved one, so they avoid it until it’s absolutely necessary.

With all of the taboo about death, dying, and grieving a loved one who has passed, most of us are left with no knowledge or resources when faced with the immense task of grieving a loved one.

While there are countless resources for coping with grief and loss after the death of a loved one, many have found comfort in the words of others. Whether it’s a memoir of someone’s own personal experience with their grief, or words from experts like spiritual leaders, therapists, or neuroscientists, books about grief and loss have proven to be a valuable resource for many in their healing journey. 

A Grief Observed 

By: C.S. Lewis  

The Year of Magical Thinking 

By: Joan Didion

The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss

By: Mary Frances O’Connor, PhD

It’s Okay to Laugh

By: Nora McInerny Purmort

Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief

By: Joanne Cacciatore

The Bright Hour: A Memoir of Living and Dying

By: Nina Riggs

The Five Invitations

By: Frank Ostaseski

The value of reading about the grieving process

Books about grief have the power to foster empathy and understanding among readers, even those who haven’t experienced profound loss themselves. By immersing themselves in the stories and perspectives of others, readers gain insight into the universal human experience of grief, cultivating compassion and connection in the process.

Ultimately, books about grief offer a beacon of hope in the midst of darkness, reminding readers that while grief may be an inevitable part of life, it is also a testament to the depth of our capacity to love. Through the pages of these books, readers embark on a transformative journey of healing, finding solace, strength, and renewed purpose along the way.

Back to Knowledge Center
Use zip code for more precise search results