Death, Loss & Grief

General Resources

MEDLINEplus: Bereavement

This collection, from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, offers links to general information on bereavement and loss as well as on specific topics or conditions such as complicated grief, bereaved employee returning to work, marking holidays and anniversaries, death of an adult child, helping children and young adults cope with death and funerals, how to help a friend heal, and many other topics. Information is from organizations such as the American Hospice Foundation, the American Psyciatric Association, the National Mental Health Association, AARP, the National Cancer Institute and other organizations. See also the MEDLINEplus page on Death & Dying

Growth House: Guide to Death, Dying, Grief, Bereavement, End of Life

An excellent resource for information on life-threatening illness, hospice and home care, palliative care, pain management, death with dignity, bereavement, and related end of life topics. Websites listed are evaluated and are rated on a one to four-star scale.

Coping With Loss: Guide to Grieving and Bereavement

This article discusses what grief is and how it differs from depression, outlines emotional and physical symptoms of grief, different types of grief, how grief affects families and communities, stages of grief, and strategies for coping with grief. Links are provided to other web sites and online articles about grief.

Coping With Grief - Bereavement

From the BBC, this site covers "What is bereavement?," physical and psychological effects of bereavement, how to help yourself or others through grief, special situations such as death of a child, a parent, a partner, a friend or a pet, sudden & unexpected death, and a few positive things that might emerge from loss.

Grief in the Workplace

Provides information on how grief affects three groups: Those experiencing a loss, those who work with someone experiencing grief, and those who supervise or manage someone experiencing grief.

The End of Life; Exploring Death in America

This website, which accompanies the National Public Radio series of the same name, offers transcripts from the broadcasts, a collection of poems, essays and other readings and photographs, lists of grief and illness-related resources and an opportunity for visitors to relate stories of their own grief experiences.

Before I Die

These pages were designed to complement the PBS television program "Before I Die; Medical Care and Personal Choices" which originally aired on April 22, 1997. The program explored the medical, ethical, and social issues surrounding end-of-life care in America today.

Counseling for Loss and Life Changes

This web site offers a collection of articles and web links related to loss, death and grief as well as a list of organizations ("resources") and a forum for personal exchanges on these topics.

On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dying

"What challenges emerge when trying to balance medical intervention with care and comfort at the end of life? How can you maintain meaning throughout your life? Learn about solutions for finding a better death, and explore the options for humane care for the dying" in this Bill Moyers special which was aired on PBS television stations.

With Eyes Open

Hosted by well-known journalist Ray Suarez, four half-hour companion shows to the Bill Moyers special mentioned above featured family members, caregivers and loved ones in honest discussions about caregiving, grief, difficult decisions and what kind of afterlife might lie beyond death. The website includes the transcripts for all programs as well as guides for teachers and parents who wish to discuss these topics with family members or in the classroom.

A Kinder, Gentler Death

"Most Americans say their wish is to die at home, surrounded by family. The reality is that three-fourths die in institutions, surrounded by strangers. It doesn't have to be that way." This Time magazine special report includes a number of articles on exploring and taking charge of our own end-of-life care and choices. It also offers links to Time articles from past issues and to other Web sites on topics related to death & dying. (The complete text of this article is no longer available for free on the Time Magazine website, but it is available to SRJC students and staff in the InfoTrac Expanded Academic ASAP and the ProQuest databases on the library's Electronic Databases page.)

Yahoo's "Death and Dying" links

Topics range from bereavement, euthanasia, and cremation to near death experiences, reincarnation and "tasteless humor."

WidowNet

"An information and self-help resource for, and by, widows and widowers. Topics covered include grief, bereavement, recovery, and other information helpful to people, of all ages, religious backgrounds and sexual orientations, who have suffered the death of a spouse or life partner."

GriefNet.org

Sponsored by Rivendell Resources, a non-profit organization, to provide information and support for those who are experiencing loss and grief, GriefNet is directed by a clinical grief psychologist. The organization offers 50 e-mail support groups as well as a directory of Internet resources on topics related to grief.

Articles on death & bereavement can also be found in published, copyrighted journals by using some of the Library's Article Databases. Look in the databases called Expanded Academic ASAP, Health Reference Center Academic and ProQuest Psychology Journals under subjects such as "death," "grief," "bereavement," etc.

Death Rituals & Customs

Death: The Last Taboo

"Throughout the world, death and the rituals that surround it are steeped in taboos. Death is celebrated, embraced and feared. Around death and the dead, cultures put in place diverse restrictions and practices associated with clothing, food and ritual. This website explores what happens to us when we die and the different ways we deal with death."

History of Funeral Customs

A general overview, from the Wyoming Funeral Directors Association. The web site also offers information on the History of Embalming and on The Purpose of the Funeral.

Modern and Ancient Funeral Rites on the Internet

Links to web sites which cover the funeral rites of various modern and ancient cultures and religions. Each site is described briefly.

Transition Rituals; A Faith-by-Faith Guide to Rites for the Deceased

From Beliefnet, a multi-faith e-community, these pages briefly outline beliefs about death, funeral practices and mourning rituals for several major world religions. Covers beliefs and practices of Baha'i, Buddhism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Lutheranism, Mormonism, and Pagan Presbyterianism.

 

Google Directory: Death and Funeral Customs

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Burial Customs

From FuneralsInfo.com, this page offers a random list of links to pages on customs associated with death in various cultures. (Scroll down the page to get to "Burial Customs.")