Resources on Dying, Death and Grief
Becoming Death Literate
I believe death literacy is a human-making experience and important for each of us to develop. Dying is one of the universally shared experiences: each one of us will do it someday. Yet we collectively seem to know so little about how to die well and how to support others who are dying.
Fortunately, there are many people doing wonderful work to help us reclaim these necessary skills for mortals. Below are some resources I have found most useful in learning how to navigate the dying process, face our feelings about death, and support ourselves and others in their grief. I do a lot of research and learning on these topics and wanted to share some with you!
Below the resource list are a few downloads, including an open letter to anyone exploring becoming a death doula. I hear from a lot of folks who are interested in this work and want to hear from someone else who is on this path so I shared my thoughts and experiences.
Dying Resources
Dying Resources
Dying Resources
Books
- Die Wise by Stephen Jenkinson
- The Beginner's Guide to the End. B.J. Miller, MD and Shoshana Berger
- A Year to Live by Stephen Levine
- Transforming Death: Creating Sacred Space for the Dying by Melody LeBaron
Websites
Death Resources
Dying Resources
Dying Resources
Books
- Nine Years Under: Coming of Age in an Inner-City Funeral Home by Sheri Booker
- Overcoming the Fear of Death by Kelvin H. Chin
- From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughty
- Stiff by Mary Roach
- My Father's Wake by Kevin Toolis
Websites
Grief Resources
Death Doula Resources
Death Doula Resources
Grief is a normal, human reaction to loss, including the death of someone in your life. You may want or need the support of a therapist to support you through your grief and I encourage you to seek that. If you need a skilled person to listen in a supportive, non-judgemental space, I can be a grief partner to you. Below are additional resources that may help you learn more about how to support yourself or others through your grief.
Books:
- The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller
- Bearing the Unbearable by JoAnne Cacciatore
- Prayers for Honoring Grief by Pixie Lighthorse
- It's OK that You're Not OK by Megan Devine
- Welcome to the Grief Club by Janine Kwoh
Websites:
Death Doula Resources
Death Doula Resources
Death Doula Resources
Below are a few resources I recommend if you are interested in learning more about how to support people at end-of-life. You can see more in my letter to those interested in becoming a death doula.
Books:
- Death Nesting by Anne-Marie Keppel
- The Art of Death Midwifery by Joellyn St. Pierre
- Finding Peace at the End of Life: A death doula's guide for families and caregivers by Henry Fersko-Weiss
Organizations:
See below for a download of "Death Doula FAQs" an open letter I wrote to share with people who have reached out requesting to talk about becoming a death doula. This should answer most of the questions you have for me. If you have other questions, please let me know.