Bereavement Support Recommended Reading and Listening
Recommended Reading, Listening, and Online Resources
Grief can feel overwhelming. During this time, some people find comfort in reading, listening to others' stories, or learning more about what grief can look like. Below are some helpful resources—including books, websites, and podcasts—that you may find meaningful.
If you’re looking for something specific or need help finding a resource that fits your needs, contact the Grief Resource Team at GriefSupport@texaschildrens.org.
Websites
These websites offer a variety of grief-related content, including educational articles, support groups, videos, and more:
Bo’s Place is a nonprofit bereavement center located in Houston, Texas, that provides grief support services to children (ages 3 to 18) and their families who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or other close loved one. The organization also offers dedicated programs for grieving adults. Bo’s Place is built on the belief that healing happens when grieving individuals—especially children—can share their stories and emotions in a safe, supportive environment among peers who understand. Services are available in both English and Spanish, and the center offers a combination of in-person and virtual programming at no cost to families.
MISS Foundation is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to supporting families after the death of a child, regardless of the cause. It offers both immediate crisis support and long-term resources to help families navigate life after loss. In addition to direct services, the MISS Foundation is involved in advocacy and legislative work, community engagement, and the promotion of culturally sensitive, interdisciplinary education on grief and trauma. The website includes tools for locating local support groups and connecting with others who have experienced similar losses.
The Compassionate Friends is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families heal after the death of a child—of any age and from any cause. Its mission is to transform the pain of grief into hope by offering a safe space where bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents can openly express their sorrow and find understanding. The organization provides a wide range of peer support groups, both online and in-person, at community locations throughout the United States, creating opportunities for connection, comfort, and shared healing.
What’s Your Grief is a comprehensive online resource that offers support and education for individuals coping with all types of loss. The site features a wide variety of content to match different learning styles and preferences, including articles, podcasts, videos, books, and interactive courses. Known for its honest, accessible, and compassionate tone, What’s Your Grief helps normalize the grief experience and provides practical tools for navigating life after loss.
National Alliance for Children’s Grief
National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) is a national nonprofit organization that promotes awareness of the needs of grieving children and provides resources to support them. The website offers a wide range of educational tools, articles, and best practices for caregivers, educators, and professionals working with children who have experienced any type of loss. NACG also supports programs across the country that serve grieving youth and offers training opportunities to help communities respond more effectively to childhood grief.
Courageous Parents Network is a resource for families caring for a child with chronic or life-limiting illness. It offers support throughout the journey—from diagnosis through bereavement. The bereavement section of the site includes a thoughtful collection of videos, podcasts, written guides, and personal stories designed to help parents process their grief after the death of a child. The content is created with compassion and clinical insight, offering practical guidance and emotional validation for families navigating this deeply painful experience.
The Dougy Center is a nationally recognized leader in childhood grief support. Its website offers a wide range of resources for caregivers, parents, and professionals who are supporting grieving children and teens. Materials include age-appropriate guides, tip sheets, toolkits, and activities designed to help young people understand and express their grief. The Dougy Center also provides support for adults who are grieving or helping others cope with loss, making it a valuable and compassionate resource for the entire family.
Books
For Preschool Aged Children
- I Miss You: A First Look at Death by Pat Thomas
- Gentle Willow: A Story for Children about Dying by Joyce Mills
- Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing with Loss by Michaelene Mundy
- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
- Something Very Sad Happened: A Toddler's Guide to Understanding Death by Bonnie Zucker
For School-Aged Children
- A Kids Book About Death by Taryn Schuelke
- A Kids Book About Grief by Brennan C. Wood
- The Invisible String by Patrice Karst
- Ida, Always by Caron Levis
- When Someone Very Special Dies by Marge Heegaard
- When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death by Laurie Krasny Brown
- What Happens When Someone Dies?: A Child’s Guide to Death and Funerals by Michaelene Mundy
- The Fox and the Feather by Kendall Lanning
For Preteens and Teens
- Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love by Earl A. Grollman
- I Will Remember You: What to Do When Someone You Love Dies – A Guidebook Through Grief for Teens by Laura Dower
- Weird is Normal When Teenagers Grieve by Jenny Lee Wheeler
- The Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens: 100 Practical Ideas by Alan D. Wolfelt, PhD
- When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens about Grieving & Healing by Marilyn E. Gootman
- Grieving for the Sibling You Lost: A Teen's Guide to Coping with Grief and Finding Meaning After Loss by Erika Goldblatt Hyatt
For Adults Supporting Grieving Children
- What Will I Tell the Children? by Jacque Bell & Linda Esterling
- 35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child by Dougy Center Staff
- The Grieving Child by Helen Fitzgerald
- The Grieving Teen by Helen Fitzgerald
- Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing and Loss by Pat Schwiebert
- A Parent’s Guide to Raising Grieving Children: Rebuilding Your Family After the Death of a Loved One by Phyllis Silverman & Madelyn Kelly
For Adults – General Grief
- It’s Ok that You’re Not Ok by Megan Devine
- Moving On Doesn’t Mean Letting Go by Gina Moffa
- Permission to Mourn: A New Way to Do Grief by Tom Zuba
- Grief Day By Day: Simple Practices and Daily Guidance for Living with Loss by Jan Warner
- Your Grief, Your Way: A Year of Practical Guidance and Comfort After Loss by Shelby Forsythia
- Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler
- Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief by Martha Whitmore Hickman
- Resilient Grieving, Second Edition: How to Find Your Way Through Devastating Loss by Lucy Hone
For Adults – Parent Grief
- The Unspeakable Loss: How Do You Live After a Child Dies? by Nisha Zenoff
- A Broken Heart Still Beats: After Your Child Dies by Anne McCracken
- How to Survive the Loss of a Child: Filling the Emptiness and Rebuilding Your Life by Catherine Sanders
- Grieving Dads: To the Brink and Back by Kelly D. Farley
- When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner
For Adults – Grandparent Grief
- Forgotten Tears: A Grandmother’s Journey through Grief by Nina Bennett
- Healing a Grandparent's Grieving Heart: 100 Practical Ideas After Your Grandchild Dies by Alan Wolfelt
Podcasts
It’s OK that You’re Not OK (the podcast)
Hosted by author Megan Devine, this podcast explores grief, healing, and what it means to support others through loss.
From the Dougy Center, this podcast combines expert interviews with real stories to support children and families navigating grief.
A candid and educational podcast featuring interviews with grief experts and individuals who have experienced loss.
Personal stories and expert interviews focused on parenting through serious illness and grief, from the team at Courageous Parents Network.