Books

Note: All books listed here are written by bereaved parents who are childless. Clicking on the book title will take you to where you can purchase the book, unless purchase options are described at the end of the book description.

  • But, Should the Angels Call for Him: A Mother's Journey Through Grief and Discovery by Glenda Pearson: The author does a courageous job of sharing her story and how she has coped with the death of her only child.
  • Crossing the Horizon by Deanna Bailey: As I wrote Crossing the Horizon, the boys struggled with the very same issues I was facing.  They dealt with separation and silence in a whole new world. They struggled to communicate with me and Chris back home. They needed to find new ways to communicate safely with one another.  When they realized they couldn’t simply talk to Chris and me, they eventually found they could communicate with us in other ways.
  • First You Die: Learn to Live after the Death of Your Child by Marie Levine: Marie shares her heart-wrenching story of the death of her 22 year old son. She writes about anger and various feelings that now childless parents have and also about relationships.
  • Grief Healings by R. Glenn Kelly: Wisdom to assist you to move forward in your grief journey.
  • Grief In The Workplace by R. Glenn Kelly: Helpful solutions for employers dealing with employees experiencing grief. 
  • I Have No Intention of Saying Good-Bye by Sandy Fox: Sandy interviewed single parents and couples whose only child/all children have died. She also included parents with surviving children. Sandy is the mother of a deceased only child.
  • I'll See You in the Sunrise by Penny Young: Penny takes you through the first two years of bereavement with her poetry. Ray & Penny are now childless since the death of their son, Matthew. Send a $12 check to Penny Young  921 Bliss Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611.
  • Keeping Clarke by Stephanie Benbenek: A heartbreaking but honest and uplifting memoir that reveals the depth of grief and survival as a parent of an only child.
  • More than Surviving by Kelly Osmont: This book tells a bereaved parent how to care for oneself while one grieves. It addresses grief concerning all types of losses. Practical healing tips and specific ways grievers can prevent illnesses and isolation are discussed.
  • Not So Small a Circle by Rita Stout: This book is a must for now childless parents to read and add to your library.
  • Parting is not Goodbye by Kelly Osmont: This book gives insight into a single mother's grief. Aaron, an only child was killed when he was kicked by a horse.
  • Rainbows after the Storm by Sherry Boyd Neu: Sherry shares her struggles and triumphs after the death of her daughter, an only child.
  • Saying Olin To Say Goodbye by Donald Hackett: An outstanding book about a father’s grief. 
  • Sometimes I Cry In The Shower by R. Glenn Kelly: Ron ‘Glenn’ Kelly takes us on his journey of grief when his 16 year old son, Jonathan died unexpectedly during heart surgery.  He shares his emotional, physical and spiritual journey with which everyone can relate.  It is definitely a book that bereaved fathers need to read.
  • Swan Lessons by Joyce A. Harvey. Joyce’s book is an outstanding example of the struggles many single bereaved parents experience, yet all bereaved parents will readily relate to her grief journey. Joyce’s daughter, Jen, died as a result of suicide following harassment in the military. This is a current topic and concern. Professionals and support group leaders will learn lessons of how to assist those with whom they encourage in their work.Her metaphors of grief, honest feelings of regret, courage to find validation, a means of forgiving herself and various avenues of growth on her healing journey will inspire others to continue to find the ‘Swan Lessons’ on their journeys.
  • The Griefcase by R. Glenn Kelly: A men’s grief guide to healing and moving forward in grief.
  • The Poems by Sascha Wagner: A book of poems written by Sascha that are inspirational and beloved by now childless parents.
  • Turning Your Scars into Stars: A Journey from Mourning to Joy by Dr. Sue Hamby: This intent of this book was to help others navigate through the seas of sorrow into the seas of acceptance and then into the seas of joy. All proceeds for the book go to Neema Village, a baby rescue center in Tanzania. The book provided an outlet for journaling for the author, and related TV interviews by the author can be found on YouTube by typing in "Dr. Sue Hamby".
  • What Forever Means after the Death of a Child by Kay Talbot: This book is written from the perspective of a bereaved parent of an only child and psychotherapist. Kay describes the trauma and multiple secondary losses experienced by bereaved parents. She provides examples of what helps and what hinders bereaved parents as their grief and loss evolve.
  • For a general list of bereavement books that are not necessarily written by childless parents, click here.

Websites

  • American Association of Suicidology: The American Association of Suicidology is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the understanding and prevention of suicide. This site is designed as a resource for anyone concerned about suicide, including AAS members, suicide researchers, therapists, prevention specialists, survivors of suicide, and people who are themselves in crisis.  Also visit their Facebook page American Association of Suicidology
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Provides information on suicide, how to prevent, and resources for when it occurs.
  • Bereavement Magazine: Bereavement magazine was designed to be a "support group in print" - a friend who arrives in the mailbox. six times each year. You can also view exclusive articles on-line for the current issue and past issues.
  • Bereaved Parents of the USA (BP/USA): Bereaved Parents of the USA (BP/USA) is a nationwide organization designed to aid and support bereaved parents and their families who are struggling to survive their grief after the death of a child. Any bereaved parent, sibling or grandparent is eligible to become a member of BP/USA.  Also visit their Facebook page Bereaved Parents of the USA
  • Compassionate Friends: The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization which offers friendship and understanding to families who are grieving the death of a child of any age, from any cause. The Compassionate Friends also provides grief information and education to the community.  Also visit their Facebook page The Compassionate Friends
  • Evermore: National list of bereavement resources.
  • First Candle: Provides information on SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome and other sleep-related infant causes of death.
  • Helping Parents Heal: Organization that helps bereaved parents after the loss of a child, specifically focused on spirituality and the afterlife.
  • MISS Foundation: They provide C.A.R.E.S. (counseling, advocacy, research, education and support) to anyone who has experienced the death of a child.  Additionally, MISS provides online and in person group support for child loss, help in finding a counselor who is trained in traumatic grief and HOPE (helping other parents endure) mentors.  These services can be found all over the world.
  • Mothers Against Drunk Drivers: Advocacy organization providing resources to decrease drunk driving, support people and their families who are victims of drunk driving, and try to reduce underage drinking in general.
  • Ohana Oasis: On the peaceful island of Kauai resides Ohana Oasis offering week-long, in person retreats for bereaved parents.  Participants are surrounded by healing, natural surroundings wherein parents are offered a variety of resources, activities, and a chance to form a network of support. Bereaved parents can contact Ohana Oasis to be placed on their waiting list for future retreats.
  • Open to Hope Foundation: The mission of the Open to Hope Foundation is to help those who have suffered a loss to cope with their pain and find hope in the future.  Also visit their Facebook page Open to Hope Foundation
  • Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc: The Parents Of Murdered Children, Inc. is a non-profit support group for ALL survivors of those who had loved ones taken from them by violent death. Also visit their Facebook page - Parents of Murdered Children
  • Return to Zero Hope: Resource for helping families whose babies died during pregnancy and based on the movie, Return to Zero.
  • Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support: Organization committed to the positive processing of grief related to pregnancy and infant loss.
  • Shatterproof: National organization assisting with addiction treatment, changing stigmas, and providing support to those in need.
  • SIDS Network, Inc.: The SIDS Network website offers up-to-date information as well as support for those who have been touched by the tragedy of SIDS/SUID.
  • Still Standing Magazine: Child loss and infertility resource.
  • Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS): The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc., is a one of a kind non-profit Veteran Service Organization offering hope, healing, comfort and care to thousands of American armed forces families facing the death of a loved one each year.  Also visit their Facebook page Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
  • Umbrella Ministries: Umbrella Ministries is a network of mothers throughout the United States who have also lost a child, and its sole mission is to reach out, with the Lord’s love, to broken hearted mothers. Starting in 1996, the ministry has grown through mentoring relationships, mother to mother, heart to heart, walking beside each other, with God’s love, comfort, peace, and hope.
If you know of any now childless parents who have published a book about bereavement please let us know so we can include it in this list. Also, If you would like to have your website displayed on our website, please provide us with your URL and a brief write up of your site. We would only ask that the links provide support for bereaved parents. We would also request that you provide a link back to our Alive Alone web site.
To contact us, please sent an email to alivalon@bright.net.