A Journey Through Grief: A Guide to Living with Bereavement [Paperback]

'...a useful resource with sound advice for people coping with bereavement.'

Coping with grief is never easy. This essential book will help everyone faced with the death of a loved one or a friend to find a way to handle grief and emerge a stronger person - both in the short term and in their outlook to life. The book, in a 'Tip a Page' format, aims to provide a basic understanding of why people grieve and to aid this process by offering an insight into the many mixed feelings and emotions that the bereaved may experience. The book is presented in a simple format that allows the reader to revert easily to themes and incidents that are relevant at particular times.

'A Journey Through Grief' is also an invaluable aid for bereavement counsellors and students seeking to present information in a straightforward manner.

'A Journey Through Grief' is privately published by Eric F. Box Funeral Directors Ltd., Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

'A Journey Through Grief' is published to meet the needs of those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, whether recently or some time ago. The book explains the grieving process from First Steps to Moving On, and helps the reader understand the range of feelings and emotions that are perfectly natural. The tips can be followed in order or the book can be dipped into, to give hope and inspiration.

I became involved with bereavement counselling after suffering a sudden and tragic loss. In 1998 my fiance, 28 years old, was working as a taxi driver when he was involved in a road traffic collision on the M62 motorway in West Yorkshire. He was killed instantly.

I was left a single parent on a meagre salary with a large mortgage, yet I had to go on, for the sake of my ten-year-old son. I barely slept for nineteen months whilst I awaited the outcome of the court case and then the Coroner's Inquest. All this added to my anger, tears, desperation and feelings of guilt. I neglected my health and, though I consulted my GP I decided against using anti-depressants. Instead I sought someone to talk to, which led me to the bereavement counselling service Cruse.

With their guidance and care I turned my life around. I was so inspired by the guidance I received that I have since become a Bereavement Counsellor for Cruse and hold an Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills.

A Journey Through Grief has been compiled following long and detailed discussions between the staff at Eric F. Box Funeral Directors and myself. We hope that the book acts as an invaluable aid to the bereavement process.

Coping with bereavement is never easy. This essential book will help everyone faced with the death of a loved one or a friend to find a way to handle grief and emerge a stronger person - both in the short term and in thier outlook to life.

Tracey Cusick is a Bereavement and Relationship Counsellor, working in the North West of England. She is also an active Road Safety campaigner.

In 1998 Tracey's fiance lost his life in a road traffic collision, leaving her with a young son to bring up. Since then Tracey has moved on to help others through the grieving process. She has written and co-authored magazine articles on road safety issues, and organised seminars for emergency service workers to further their training in bereavement issues.

Edward Box manages the sixth-generation family-owned Funeral Directors, Eric F. Box.

Edward returned to the family business in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in 1998, since when the firm has become 'The Funeral Directors for the Twenty First Century in West Yorkshire'. Edward has developed a full educational programme for organisations, nursing staff and the general public.

ANGER AND GUILT

These two emotions grow out of the need to investigate the events leading up to, and surrounding, a death. Part of us may still be trying to undo the ending or change the events surrounding the death. In this period of "If Only's" we may wish that we, or someone else, had done, or not done, something. Such thoughts naturally bring with them feelings of anger or guilt.

"I feel thoroughly bad tempered" - This is a natural consequence of the continuing stress any major loss places on us.

"I feel afraid" - Fear can be a part of normal grief. If we lose someone we love the world around us can appear a very unsafe place to live for a while. We may fear for the safety of others we love, or fear that we might die. Our fears may focus on a particular activity, perhaps sleeping alone or going out of the house.

"I feel jealous of other people" - It's natural to want the one we have lost back and to envy those who are not bereaved and still have their partner, child or parent with them. When we are grieving so deeply it is painful to see the rest of the world going on around us, when our personal world has been shattered into pieces.