We all know that death is inevitable, but when someone we love dies, we are rarely, if ever, prepared for the trauma that follows. But although reactions to death are intense ly personal and varied, it is possible to construct a fram ework to help rebuild a shattered life, a framework outlin ed in Coping with Bereavement. Combining practical advice and empathy born of his own experience, Hamish McIlwraith has produced a unique book for the bereaved and those close to them. He shows how to adapt to life without a loved one, both during the first anguished days and the following months and years. He describes the grieving process, and discusses how to cope with the wide range of emotions bereavement can produce, in addition to covering such practical issues as funeral arrangements and essential bureaucracy. Also presented are strategies to help the bereaved re-e stablish their sense of self-worth, as well as advice on physical and emotional well-being, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This new edition also features a fully updated list of organizations, support groups and websites across the world, and includes a new chapter in which the author reflects on the passage of time, and its effect on the lives of the bereaved.
Practical advice on how to cope after someone you love diesDeath is inevitable, but when someone we love dies, we are often not fully prepared for the trauma and grief that follows. Combining practical advice and an empathy born of his own experience, author Hamish McIlwraith describes the grieving process and discusses how best to cope with the range of emotions bereavement can produce, how to deal with practical issues, and finally how to adapt to life without your loved one.
'Coping with Bereavement' describes the physical and emotional trauma of death and offers practical help and advice so that people can rebuild their shattered lives. It is divided into sections. The first deals with the stress and anguish immediately following a death. Next, broad categories of bereavement are outlined. These include foetal and neo-natal death, the loss of a child, death in middle and old age, terminal illness, and death through suicide. Special sections are devoted to sibling death and issues of unresolved grief.
Advice is given on how to cope with the extreme confusion of the first week, and the legal and medical procedures that must be followed in Australia, Britain, New Zealand and North America. Practical problems such as changing the names on official documents at banks and government agencies, registering the death, arranging the funeral, and dealing with letters of condolence are dealt with in this section.
The final section offers advice on how to rebuild your life. It is presented through a series of life skills including decision-making, health, relaxation, and ways to 'rejoin' society.
'Coping with Bereavement' has a comprehensive resources section for Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States, and includes information on texts for the general and professional reader as well as details of relevant support groups and websites.
I wrote 'Coping with Bereavement' after the sudden death of my wife, Shirin, in 1995. I wanted to write a book that would offer help to others who have been bereaved. I hope you find it useful.
