Contents

Introduction

How to Use This Book

Part One
Entering into Grief

An Invitation
Meet Yourself Where You Are
A Note for Those with Complicated Relationships
You Will Never Be the Same
What Is Grief?
Types of Grief
What Grief Isn’t
It’s Okay—This Is Normal
When You Fall Apart
What Grief Feels Like
The Physicality of Grief
A Note on Yearning
When Fear Arises
When You Panic
A Note on Memory
Permission to Laugh
How Long Does Grief Last?
You Are Your Own Grief Expert
What the World Expects
Contemplations

Part Two
Engaging with Grief

What Does It Mean to Engage with Grief?
A Note About Avoiding Your Grief
The Effects of Grief on the Brain
Recognizing Trauma
About Guilt
Making Amends and Seeking Forgiveness
About Depression
About Grief-Related Anxiety
About Anger
About Shame and Stigma
Secondary Losses
A Note on Multiple Losses
A Note About Shared Grief
Grief Triggers
How to Talk About Your Grief
The One-Year Arc of Grief
About Holidays and Anniversaries
Contemplations

Part Three
Surrendering to Grief

What Does It Mean to Surrender to Grief?
Who Are You Now?
When Everyone Drops Away and You Are Still Grieving
Coping with Insensitivity
Recognizing Destructive Tendencies
Navigating Professional Grief Support
Further Notes on Anxiety
Practicing Self-Compassion
ThoughtsàEmotionsàBehavior
Integrating Your Loss
Cultivating Resilience
Two Things Can Be True
Where Is My Person
Contemplations

Part Four
Transforming Through Grief
The Other Side of Loss
Post-Loss Growth
The Long Arc of Loss
Your Story of Grief
Continuing Your Connection
Exploring the Afterlife
Embracing Ritual
About Honor and Legacy
The Passage of Time
Hope and Grace and Forgiveness
Meaning Is Yours for the Making
Being of Service
Embracing Death
An Opportunity
Contemplations

Part Five
Your Grief Toolkit
Why It’s Worth Exploring the Five Stages and Other Models
Meeting Yourself in Grief
Tools for Grief
How to Ask for Help
Rituals to Rely On