Books

Recommendations

Unraveled: When Loss Changes Everything by Kyle and Betty Mertens is a poignant memoir about their journey through grief after the sudden loss of their one-year-old daughter, Ella, to a heart defect. The book explores their emotional struggles, the impact on their marriage, and their path toward healing. By sharing their story, the Mertens aim to offer comfort and hope to others facing similar loss, emphasizing the importance of love, empathy, and resilience in the face of tragedy.

A note from Andrew’s family : This book has been the most helpful read for Andrew’s mom thus far. It shares hope and comfort amidst deep tragedy and shows that there is a path forward, but never on.

David Kessler’s Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief expands on the widely recognized five stages of grief (developed by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross) by introducing a sixth stage: finding meaning. This stage helps individuals process loss by discovering ways to honor and integrate their loved one’s legacy into their lives. Alongside the book, Kessler offers a workbook designed to provide practical tools and exercises for navigating grief and finding personal growth.

A note from Andrew’s Family : We found both the book and its workbook helpful in exploring Andrew’s purpose and presence, even in his physical absence.

The Grieving Garden is a poignant and heartfelt book that provides solace and support to parents navigating the devastating loss of a child. Written by Suzanne Redfern and Susan Gilbert, who both experienced this profound loss, the book brings together the voices of 22 bereaved parents, offering their stories of pain, resilience, and healing.

A note from Andrew’s family : Hearing the stories of other bereaved parents shared hope and community with us.

Transcending Grief by Dr. Marie Dezelic and Dr. Gabriel Ghanoum provides a practical, meaning-centered approach to navigating loss. Grounded in Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy, the book introduces the Meaning-Centered Grief Model, offering tools to manage grief’s emotional, physical, and spiritual impacts. It empowers readers to find growth and renewed purpose through meaning-making.

A note from Andrew’s Family : Written by Gabriel Ghanoum, a spiritual grief counselor who met with us and our families in the days and week following Andrew’s death, this was the first book we read. While it was early and needs to be re-read, it helped us have somewhere to turn that shared tools for us to hold onto as we started on this journey of healing. It is the reason we came up with the idea for Rise for Rew. -Andrew’s mom & dad

Grieving Dads: To the Brink and Back is a powerful and raw exploration of grief from the perspective of fathers who have experienced the unimaginable loss of a child. Written by Kelly Farley, with contributions from David Dicola, the book gives voice to a demographic often overlooked in discussions of grief—men who are grieving as fathers. Through heartfelt stories, practical advice, and deeply personal insights, the book offers validation, support, and hope to grieving dads navigating their loss. This book was read by both Andrew’s Dad and Poppy who found it incredibly helpful.

A note from Andrew’s Family : “Grieving Dads: To the Brink and Back is quite possibly the most helpful book I could possibly imagine. Better than anything anyone has said to me, wrote me, or anything else I have read, ever.” -Andrew’s Poppy

Mom’s Search for Meaning: Grief and Growth After Child Loss by Melissa M. Monroe is a deeply personal memoir detailing the author’s journey through grief after the sudden loss of her two-year-old daughter, Alice. Monroe shares her experiences with guilt, PTSD, and the various healing modalities she explored, including EMDR therapy and acupuncture, to navigate her trauma. Her candid narrative offers insights into the profound effects of child loss and provides hope and guidance for others facing similar grief. Monroe is also the host of the podcast This Club Suuucks: Grief Support for Parents After the Lasagnas Are Long Gone, where she continues to support grieving parents by sharing stories and resources.

A note from Andrew’s Family : This book was a personal recommendation from another bereaved mom. I would recommend reading it further along in the grief process as parts of it share the details surrounding her daughter’s passing. Personally, I had to skip those parts, but if you are someone who finds hearing the details of others’ stories helpful, this will be a good read for you.

Current Reads

When Your Family’s Lost a Loved One: Finding Hope Together by David and Nancy Guthrie is a compassionate guide for families navigating the profound grief of losing a loved one. Drawing from their personal experiences of losing two young children, the Guthries explore family dynamics during bereavement and debunk common myths about family grief. Through interviews with others who have faced similar losses, they demonstrate how grief can strengthen family bonds rather than fracture them. The book offers practical advice on coping mechanisms, communication, and maintaining faith during challenging times, aiming to help families find unity and hope amid sorrow. 

After the Flowers Die by Melanie Delorme is a heartfelt guide for grieving parents, offering hope, encouragement, and practical advice after the loss of a child. Written by a bereaved mother, it shares insights and coping strategies in an easy-to-read A-to-Z format. Through personal stories and empathy, the book helps parents navigate grief, honor their child’s memory, and find a path toward healing and hope.

The SIDS & Infant Death Survival Guide is a compassionate and informative resource for families and friends coping with the devastating loss of a baby due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or other unexpected infant deaths. Written by Joani Horchler, Robin Rice, and contributors from Families of SMA, the book offers practical advice, emotional support, and personal stories to help readers navigate grief, seek understanding, and find healing.

Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief by Claire Bidwell Smith explores the often-overlooked connection between grief and anxiety. Drawing from personal experience and professional expertise, Smith introduces anxiety as a critical component of the grieving process, complementing the traditional five stages of grief. The book offers practical strategies to manage anxiety, including mindfulness techniques, journaling, and therapy, aiming to help individuals navigate loss with greater understanding and healing. 

Safe in the Arms of God by John MacArthur offers biblical comfort and hope to parents grieving the loss of a child. Drawing on Scripture, MacArthur affirms that children who pass away are embraced by God’s grace and reside in heaven. The book provides reassurance and peace through faith, offering answers to difficult questions about loss and God’s love.

Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop explores the biblical practice of lament as a way to process grief and deepen faith. Through Scripture and personal experience, Vroegop teaches how lament helps believers turn to God, voice pain, make requests, and trust in His love, offering hope and healing in sorrow.