Welcome to the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement » Resources » Books, DVDs and Other Products

Books, DVDs and Other Products

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement has a wide range of resources relating to grief and loss available for purchase. The resources include books and DVDs and have been arranged according to who they will be most beneficial for, though some titles will be suitable for more than one audience, including people working or studying in the field of loss and grief, those supporting a friend or loved one who is grieving, and of course for those grieving themselves.

You can order any of the following resources by clicking here.

New Resources

We are proud to introduce these new resources which are now available for purchase through the Centre:


Surviving Traumatic Grief: 
When Loved Ones Die in a Disaster
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement

Written after the 2009 Victorian Bushfires, 
the book addresses the specific experience of grief 
through a disaster, including the impact of the media, 
multiple losses, and dealing with government 
agencies. 
Featuring the stories of people bereaved through the 
bushfires, intertwined with information from professionals
 specialising in traumatic grief, this book aims to provide 
a greater understanding of the bereaved person's 
experience in the months following the loss.
$15.00 (Plus P&H)
Click here to order your copy. Every copy sold enables 
4 copies to be distributed to the bereaved community.






Red Chocolate Elephants: 
For Children Bereaved by Suicide (Book & DVD)
By Diana C. Sands, PhD

Created as an assisted reading and actitivity book,
Red Chocolate Elephants is designed to encourage
discussion with young children about the unique
experience of grief through suicide bereavement.
The book features interactive activities to explore
feelings, identify grief responses and encourage a
sense of normalcy in the child's experience of grief.
For use with or without the accompanying DVD, this
kit is ideal for children of primary school age for use
with a supportive adult including parents, relatives,
teachers and counsellors.

$39.00 (Book & DVD) Plus P&H
To order a copy click here




















After A Death Series
(After A Death, After A Murder, After A Suicide Death)


The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families, USA


This invaluable series of children’s activity books by
The Dougy Centre for Grieving Children and Families offer
children a creative outlet for understanding the feelings
brought on by grief through death, or specifically death by
murder or suicide. Through other children’s stories, thoughts
and feelings comes the understanding that they are not alone
in their experience. All workbooks include drawing activities,
puzzles and wordgames specific to the unique experiences 
brought on bytype of death, including explanations of the 
police, media and legal systems.

$22.95 per book (Paperback) or
$59.95 for all three books Plus P&H
To order click here












After Life, After You:
True Stories of Love, Grief and Hope


By S.K Reid


Based around a series of conversations and reflections, 
this book is the story of three men and seven women 
who have faced the untimely or unexpected death of their 
partner. This beautifully written book is an exploration of 
their love for their partners, the experience of rebuilding 
their shattered lives, and the process of learning to cope 
with their grief in order to develop the capacity to experience 
joy once again.


$22.00 (Paperback) Plus P&H
Click here to order your copy








Resources for Children and Young People

35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child

Dougy Centre for Grieving Children and Families, USA

A beautifully written, easy to read book featuring stories, suggestions, pictures and insights shared by children
and families at The Dougy Centre. It explores different behaviours and reactions of children of varying ages and
maturity, and provides practical ways to support a grieving
child.
Suitable for: parents, caregivers, grandparents or other
adult family members, teachers and/or school community,
any adult actively supporting a bereaved child.

$22.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

 

Everybody Hurts Sometimes

By Lois Tonkin

A very popular guide to support and encourage grieving
children and teenagers. The book is easy to read, with
entertaining cartoon illustrations and simple explanations
about the manifestations of grief. Aimed to inform young
people about the grief process and normalise their feelings.
Suitable for: children and teens aged approximately 4 - 14.

$6.50 (Paperback) Plus P&H
This book is temporarily unavailable







Time to Listen (Originally published as 'From the
Other Side: How it Feels to be Young and Dying)

By Amber Turk and Margaret Brown

A compilation of journal entires written by a 27 year old
woman in her last year of life, this book tells of her hope,
despair, and pain as she nears death. A beautifully written
book to help others understand what it feels like to be
terminally ill.
Suitable for: professionals working in grief and loss,
palliative care, cancer settings or with terminally ill
patients, and adults caring for someone who is terminally ill.

$14.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Helping Children Cope With Death

Dougy Centre for Grieving Children and Families, USA

Based on The Dougy Centre's work with thousands of
bereaved children and families, this book contains
information on how children understand death, how
to talk with children about death in different
developmental stages, and when to seek outside help.
Suitable for: parents, caregivers, grandparents or other
adult family members, teachers and/or school
community, any adult actively supporting a bereaved
child, professionals who want practical information
rather than heavily academic literature.

$22.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Helping Teens Cope With Death

Dougy Centre for Grieving Children and Families, USA

This guide covers an abundance of important information
relating to the unique experience of grief for teenagers.
It also contains advice from parents and caregivers of
bereaved teens on effective support strategies.
Suitable for: parents, caregivers, grandparents or other
adult family members, teachers and/or school community,
adults or peers who are actively supporting a grieving
teen, professionals who want practical information rather
than heavily academic literature.

$22.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Helping the Grieving Sudent

Dougy Centre for Grieving Children and Families, USA

An important resource for anyone working in the
education setting. This book provides information about
the grief response of children and adolescents, as well
as practical tips for explaining death to other students,
supporting grieving students in the classroom setting,
and taking care of oneself.
Suitable for: teachers, school administrators, school
counsellors, pastoral carers, or school chaplains.

$22.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Beginnings and Endings With Lifetimes in
Between

Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen

A classic for children of all ages, this wonderfully
illustrated picture books explains death as a part of a
life span for everything that lives. The books aims to
speak about death in a gentle, non-confronting but
truthful way.
Suitable for: children up to 12 years of age.

$18.50 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Something Has Happened

Skylight, NZ

This activity book is for children who have had anything
difficult happen in their lives. Children can work alongside
an adult to talk, draw and write about what they feel.
Suitable for: adults including parents, teachers, or carers
who are supporting a child between 3 - 6 years old.

$14.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

The Grief Book: Strategies for Young People

Elizabeth Vercoe

A book full of practical ideas to help you or somebody
you know move through grief. Written in an easy to
read, conversational manner, it is compassionate
without being patronising.
Suitable for: older children, teenagers, young adults.

$18.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

 

The Journey Through: A Youth Handbook for
Facing Tough Times of Loss and Grief

Skylight, NZ

Using case studies and quotes from teenagers
experiencing grief, this book tackles the specific
issues that teenagers face around change, loss and
grief with honesty. The aim of the book is to help
build their resilience by creating a sense of normalcy
and positivity.
Suitable for: older children, teenagers, young adults.

$16.50 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Understanding the Losses Children and Young
People Face and How to Help

Skylight, NZ

This booklet is an important and easy to read guide
for any adult supporting a child experiencing grief.
It discusses age differences in relation to typical
grief responses.
Suitable for: any adult supporting a chld through grief
of any kind, including professionals and members of
the general public.

$6.50 (Paperback) Plus P&H

What About Me? A Guide to Separation and
Divorce for Children.

Skylight, NZ

An illustrated booklet that follows two children whose
parents are getting divorced. It answers all the
questions that children may have but may not ask, and
is easy to understand.
Suitable for: children, parents may find this useful also.

This resource is no longer available

When Death Impacts Your School

Dougy Centre for Grieving Children and Families, USA

A guidebook specially aimed at school administrators,
principals, teachers and other staff, this book explores
the way in which the school community can support
bereaved students, plan memorials, express their
grief and address difficult issues such as suicide and
violence. It also contains advice on creating crisis and intervention plans.
Suitable for: school personnel

$22.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About
Grieving and Healing

Marilyn Gootman and Pamela Espeland, USA

Helpful and supportive information on grief, including
quotes from other bereaved teenagers. Also addresses
loss of a friend through violence and murder, and a
plan of action to take within communities such as drink
driving campaigns.
Suitable for: teenagers and youths.

This book is no longer available

When Tough Stuff Happens

Skylight, NZ

This is an activity book for any child going through
loss or change. There is plenty of room to personalise
each page, with the aim being to encourage children to
talk about and understand their feelings. It also has
illustrations and ideas from children.
Suitable for: children aged 7-12

$16.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H








Resources for Adults

After the Death of Someone Very Close

Cruse Bereavement Care, UK

A booklet that serves as a basic introduction to
bereavement, and describes the emotions commonly
experienced during grief.

$6.50 Plus P&H

After Suicide Loss: Coping With Your Grief

Dr Bob Baugher and Dr Jack Jordan

A gentle guide through the events and reactions that
often occur during the first year following a suicide.
Also includes personal stories, suggested readings,
and information on seeking professional help.
Suitable for: young adults and adults who have been
touched by suicide, adults supporting suicide survivors,
professionals who want basic knowledge of the unique
complications surrounding suicide loss.

$13.50 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Bear is Now Asleep

William Verity

A moving account of a family in crisis following the
accidental death of the author's three year old
daughter. This book explores many of the issues of
life that challenage and confront us all, with a gently
uplifting and inspiring narrative.
Suitable for: any adult

$24.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Coping With Grief

Mal McKissock and Dianne McKissock

A guide to describe what to expect during the grieving process, including normal grief, managing special
occasions, physical and emotional reactions, gender,
age and sexuality in relation to grief.
Suitable for: adults expriencing bereavement, an adult
supporting a bereaved person, health professionals.

$11.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Coping With Trauma and Loss (Originally Published as Coping With a Major Personal Crisis)

Cruse Bereavement, UK

This leaflet can help you understand how other people
have reacted to some form of change or crisis. it will
also suggest ways to encourage healing and how to
avoid pitfalls along the way. This is for any type of loss
or trauma.
Suitable for: adults experiencing change, loss, trauma,
or grief, organisations to display and hand out to clients.

$0.50 Plus P&H

Death Without Warning: After an Accidental
Death

Skylight, NZ

Designed specifically for people bereaved by a sudden
or unexpected death, this handbook is suitable for information soon after the death and in the months
following. Featuring quotes from those bereaved from
a sudden loss, it will also assist professionals in understanding the unique grieving process after a
sudden death.
Suitable for: adults and families experiencing
bereavement, those supporting the bereaved
including professionals.

$10.00 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Dying to Know: Bringing Death to Life

Pilot Light Australia

A quirky book that questions our society's reluctance
to speak about the inevitable - death. A good book to
spark an in depth conversation to connect with others
at a profound level.
Suitable for: any adult.

$18.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Grief and Remembering: 25 Australians Tell it
Like it is

Allan Kellehear

In this book, 25 average Australians all from differing
social bacgrounds, gender and ethinicity tell of their
unique experiences with grief.
Suitable for: bereaved adults, professionals or adults supporting the bereaved

$19.50 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Has Someone Died?

Cruse Bereavement Care, UK

This leaflet is about what happens when we are affected
by death, and how you can support someone who is
bereaved.
Suitable for: adults experiencing bereavement, adults
supporting someone who is bereaved, organisations to
display and hand out to clients.

$0.50 Plus P&H

 

High Risk Pregnancy and Foetal Diagnosis:
Your Journey

By Stephanie Azri

This book is a practical companion to any woman, man or 
couple who are dealing with a difficult pregnancy or facing a 
prenatal diagnosis. Written with a level of compassion only 
made possible by personal experience, Azri reworks the 
medical jargon into a straightforward explanation of what it 
means to have a high-risk pregnancy. A sensitive discussion 
follows relating to your options following diagnosis, and how to
make the best decision for yourself; a discussion which is 
punctuated by real stories from couples around the world who
have either terminated or carried to term.

$39.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

 
Help for the Helper: Self-Care Strategies for Managing
Burnout and Stress
By Babette Rothschild
A must-have book for anybody working in the helping 
professions,Rothschild draws from the lastest psychological 
and neurobiological research to discuss the most prominant 
risks to a professional's well-being. This all-encompassing 
guidebook highlights the risk factors for compassion fatigue, 
burnout and vicarious trauma, and provides the reader with 
actual self care techniques and exercises to equip all helpers 
with the necessary tools to continue to provide effective 
support.
$41.95 (Hardcover) Plus P&H
 
The Loss of a Pet: A Guide to Coping With the 
Grieving Process When a Pet Dies
By Wallace Sife
This sensitive and practical guide to the specific struggles 
of pet loss is written by Dr Wallace Sife, founder of the U.S 
based Association for Pet Loss. Sife addresses the particular 
challenges of pet bereavement, which are largely 
misunderstood and even ridiculed within society. He explores 
the human-animal bond to explain why the loss of the bond 
can be so devastating, and provides genuinely useful 
information on coping with the loss of your beloved 
companion. This book is suitable not only for people 
experiencing pet loss, but also for professionals working in 
the counselling, bereavement or veterinary fields.
$19.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H
 

Michael: A Parent's Grief

David Morawetz

Written by psychologist David Morawitz after the death
of his son, this book is a deeply personal and poignant collection of writing and poetry that David wrote
in the months following his loss.
Suitable for: parents bereaved through child loss, adults bereaving a loss, professionals working with peri-natal,
infant or child loss.

$4.00 (Paperback) Plus P&H
 

Michael, Mike, Bert

Mary Butt

A small book written by a mother following the death
of her son Michael, comprising a small collection of reflections and poetry that takes us through her
journey of grief and the separation of her family.
Suitable for: parents bereaved through child loss,
adults bereaving a loss, professionals working with
child loss.

$5.00 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Rain, Hail or Shine: Exploring Change in a
Carer's World

Skylight, NZ

A wonderful companion for your journey as a carer,
which encourages you to explore your experience of
loss and grief in your own way, and your own time.
Contains information and personal stories from other
carers.
Suitable for: carers, professionals working with
terminally ill.

$26.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Swallowed by a Snake: The Gift of the
Masculine Side of Healing

Tom Golden

A guide to help readers through the masculine
experience of loss, and into a place of healing.
An excellent piece of literature specifically for
men's grief.
Suitable for: bereaved or grieving men, adults or professionals providing support for grieving men.

$14.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

The Circle of Life: Unlock Your Courage

Walter Mikac

After the author's family were tragically taken in the
Port Arthur massacre, it was Walter's brave decision
to make a difference in the lives of other people.
This book is a collection of observations, reflections,
feelings and positive affirmations that have helped
him cope with life's tragedies and still view the
future with optimism.
Suitable for: anyone coping with loss or grief

$17.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Through Loss

Elizabeth Bruce and Cynthia Schultz

Through loss explains the grieving process: what
it involves; where it may take you; ways you can
cope; staying connected with others; and ways of
living with grief as it continues throughout our lives.
Suitable for: adults dealing with grief through loss, professionals.

$24.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

When a Man Faces Grief/A Man You Know
is Grieving

Thomas Golden and Jim Miler

This innovative book comprises of two halves, one
is a concise guide for grieving men, while the other
is for those who want to understand the masculine
side of grief, and learn how to support a bereaved
man.
Suitable for: bereaved men or those in a support
role for a bereaved male.

$14.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H








Resources for Professionals and Students

Grief in Children

Atle Dyregrov

This second edition explains children's
understanding of death at different ages and
provides detailed information on how to
support a child coping with grief. It features
case studies, methods of support, and reflects
on current research.
Suitable for: social workers, counsellors,
psychologists, teachers, parents and anyone
supporting a bereaved child.

$33.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Lessons of Loss

Robert Neimeyer

Published by the Australian Centre for Grief and
Bereavement, and written by Dr Robert Neimeyer,
this book covers the impacts of different types of
loss and develops a fresh theory of grieving known
as 'meaning reconstruction', in light on the author's
belief that traditional grief theories are superficial
and simplistic.
Suitable for: social workers, counsellors,
psychologists, welfare workers, any professionals
supporting clients following a loss, anyone interested
in grief theory.

$55.00 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Living With Grief: Before and After the
Death

Hospice Foundation of America, edited by
Kenneth Doka

This book provides an overview of current theoretical
perspectives on loss and grief, covering topics such
as anticipatory grief and mourning, self-care for
professionals, and disenfranchised grief. Also features
an index and references for further reading.
Suitable for: professionals working in the field of grief
through bereavement.

$35.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H

Living With Grief: Children and Adolescents

Hospice Foundation of America, edited by
Kenneth Doka

Written by experts in the field of child and adolescent
grief, this book examines grief in a variety of situations,
while other chapters discuss play therapy, dealing with
grieving children in schools, use of the internet, and
recommended reading for children and adolescents.
Suitable for: professionals working with bereaved
youths, including in a school setting.

$45.95 (Paperback) Plus P&H








DVDs & Other Resources

Hard Medicine: A Journey in Adult Grief - DVD
Running time: 40 minutes

Produced by the Australian Centre for Grief and
Bereavement with funding assistance from the
Department of Human Services.

A sensitive and compelling portrayal of the grief
process, complicated through issues such as multiple
loss, sudden death, and suicide. Four bereaved people
talk about their experience, survival, and the struggle
to accommodate grief into their lives.
This video documentary includes a facilitator's
discussion guide for use in education, training and
clinical settings.

$70.00 Plus P&H
 

Multiple Facets of Perinatal Death:
The Voices of Bereaved Parents and
Those who Care for Them
Running Time: 40 minutes

Produced by the Australian Centre for Grief and
Bereavement.

This DVD features real bereaved parents who
have agreed to tell their story. They discuss
the cause of death, the experience with the
hospital and hospital staff, doctor/patient
relationships, and how they dealt with hearing
about the autopsy or planning a funeral.
This documentary is suitable for use in education
and training settings, particularly in nursing,
midwifery or medicine, and counsellors.

$70.00 Plus P&H

Sympathy Pin

The Sympathy Pin serves as a personal reminder
that grieving and giving oneself time to grieve is
both normal and reasonable. The circle is a symbol
of eternity and never ending existence. The square
represents the Earth and Earthly existence. The
combining of Earthly life and eternal memories of a
loved one. The symbolic colours of life and death,
black and white, are surrounded by gold signifying
something precious.

Business Card size: $7.70 Plus P&H
Presentation Card size: $9.90 Plus P&H