Best Books on Grief for Loss of a Child

This page of books on grief for the loss of a child is dedicated to all those parents who have lost children of whatever age.  We hope that these books will be of some comfort to you on your journey to acceptance.  If you have a favourite book that has helped you, please tell us about it on the form below. 

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Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore

In addition to having lost a very young child herself, Joanne Cacciatore is a grief researcher and counselor and trains other therapists too.  She has pioneered research into how mindfulness can help those who have suffered traumatic grief, and her book brings these effective methods to all those coping with grief in the most beautiful and poetic form.  

The book was deservedly added to Oprah's Basket of Favourite Things.  

You can read our full review of this book here.  

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Without Jenny by Mark Gunther

This is a novel about the grief of a family after the loss of a daughter at the age of 12 from a sudden accident.  The author has personal experience of such a loss and brings a genuine sensitivity to writing about the tragedy and how the family learn to live again after loss. 

You can read our full review of the book here.  

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How Far Is It to London Bridge? Joan Hurley

Joan Hurley's daughter died of Aids in Melbourne, Australia. She was neither an addict, nor economically deprived or socially disadvantaged and she was not infected by a transfusion.

Although this book increases awareness of the fact that women do contract aids, and that it is not just a disease of homosexual men, it is a personal story of a family's devastation, despair and survival. The story is based on Joan's diaries during the time she had left with her daughter before she died. It is about love, sorrow and the family relationships which helped to sustain them through grief.

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Freddie: Diary of a Cot Death by Sarah Key 

Sarah has written a brave and very personal account of how she survived the death of her son Freddie at age 3 months. It is full of stories of how people don't know how to talk to you when you are bereaved, and tackles some of the most difficult questions, such as what do you say when someone asks how many children you have. It is a frank and sometimes painfully honest account of how she got through it and reflects a brave attitude and strength which can give hope to other mothers who have to face this tragedy.

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April Fools Day by Bryce Courtenay

This is the poignant story of how Bryce Courtenay's courageous son coped with the multiple difficulties involved in living with Haemophilia. Then he discovered that the blood products given to save his life had infected him with the Aids virus.

Life's misfortunes had indeed been cruel to this remarkable son. It is also a story of how all the family gave loving care and support during his lifetime. It shows how a chronic illness in one member of a family affects everyone. One of the worst things in life is to see someone you love suffer a long term illness. You want to take over the suffering for them.

This a heartbreaking story at times, but the strength and family unity shines through. Everyone should be proud of that. Being there for a loved one is often all we can do. Thank you Bryce for sending me this wonderful personal story, your son would have been so proud, his contribution showed his amazing courage. May you both rest in peace.

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A Broken Heart Still Beats: After Your Child Dies by Anne McCracken and Mary Semel

This is an anthology of writings brought together by two mothers who have lost children.  It includes prose, poetry and essays by famous writers from ancient times to the present.  It has excellent reviews, though not always an easy read, it puts grief into context.  I'd suggest reading the reviews which you can see if you click through to the book before deciding if this one is for you.  

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Heaven's Child by Caroline Flohr

Caroline Flohr was a busy wife and mother to five children when her 16-year-old twin daughter, Sarah, was killed in an accident. 

Painting an intimate portrait of a nightmare in a small community and flinging open her family’s life for viewing, Caroline captures the reader in a web of raw emotions in events that could strike any family.

Heartbreaking and heartwarming, Heavenʹs Child explores the spiritual journey of loss and love, hope and healing. It’s a story of caution, vigilance, living in the moment, and being constantly aware that each day could be our last. It’s a story about embracing our humanity and our need to connect with each other.

Immersing readers into the raw emotions of a fatal car accident involving eight teenagers taking a midnight joy-ride, Caroline Flohr details the many phases she and her family and community moved through on their path to accepting - and embracing - a grievous loss. Flohr challenges the reader to consider death not as the end of the journey but as a beginning.

A riveting memoir of life and death...an unforgettable testament celebrating the courage of those who weave tragedy into their lives, Heaven’s Child is a powerful short read!

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Related Pages: 

How to Cope with the Loss of a Child

Dealing with Miscarriage Grief

Coping with Loss of a Baby

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