INTRODUCTION

Whether the loss is that of a spouse or partner, a family member, a close friend or colleague, a pet or even the loss of a long-term job the process of grieving will have similar emotional, physical, social and spiritual responses to varying degrees. No one person will experience the pain in the same way or to the same intensity but it seems that our society has an acute lack of services to support those who are grieving, to help them through the difficult journey so that they can heal the wounds, rebuild their life and come to terms with their loss.

This book will prove invaluable for all those that have recently been bereaved or who knows someone who has suffered loss. It provides a practical guide to help a grieving person through the process of grieving so that they can once again start living again. Topics covered:

• Explaining why we need to grief properly
• Looking at what symptoms to expect during the bereavement period
• Examining the stages of grief before we are finally able to accept the loss
• Offering valuable strategies to help quicken the healing process so that we can start rebuilding our lives again and find happiness
• Deciding what to do if there is no improvement
• Showing how we can support others who have suffered loss
• And much, much more.