Graham Family Funerals’ commitment to your family does not end on the day of the funeral. Our funeral directors contact each family shortly after the service to offer any ongoing assistance and support during this difficult time.

We have a dedicated aftercare consultant who can assist you with all aspects of helping your family in the early days following the loss of a loved one. This is all part of the service we can offer you in the grieving process.

Following is a list of books that may be helpful to grieving families in helping to develop an understanding of death:

“Needing help after someone dies” from the Department of Human Resources

Anatomy of Bereavement 
Dr. Beverly Raphael – Basic Books, 1986

This Australian pioneer in the field of loss and grief addresses the diverse causes of grief and the impact on various age groups. Has become a ‘classic’ of the genre.

Disenfranchised Grief: Recognising Hidden Sorrow 
Kenneth J. Doka (Ed.)- Research Press

This text is a collection of writing from various practitioners looking at the many types of loss which go unrecognized in the wider community, therefore leaving those who grieve experiencing isolation, loneliness and lack of support.

Grief: The Mourning After 2nd Edition
Catherine Sanders – Wiley, 1998

This book can be read easily by professional and volunteer. It is an encouraging and helpful book outlining the process of grief with practical strategies to assist the bereaved.

The Phoenix Phenomenon: Rising from the Ashes of Grief 
Joanne Jozefowski – Jason Aronson, 1999

This book outlines the very positive growth attainable following the loss of someone deeply loved. It is an inspirational book for those who have felt their world has ended. Mental health workers will find it very helpful.

On Death and Dying

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross – Scribner (reprint) 1997

This short and simple book has been named as one of the mot significant studies in the area of psychology of the late 20th century. Dealing with the end of life feelings of terminally ill patients Kubler-Ross opened up public discussion around what had been treated as a taboo subject.

Nonfinite Grief
Elizabeth J. Bruce and Cynthia L. Schultz – Brookes 2001

This book by two women based in Victoria, Australia, has become a text of great importance to those who work with individuals and families living with non-ending loss and grief. This book looks at strategies to assist those (for example) who support people living with disabilities.

Continuing Bonds: New Understandings of Grief
Klass, Silverman,Nickman – Taylor and Francis 1996

This book (with writing by 22 authors) demonstrates that individuals can resolve grief healthily while maintaining bonds of love with the deceased. It therefore challenges many previously proposed theories that there is a need to relinquish or let go of the loved one in order to live a productive life.

Coping with Grief 
Mal McKissock – ABC Books 3rd Edition

This Australian writer has provided us with a wonderful basic book which is small and very accessible. An excellent ‘first book’ on loss and grief.

Bereavement
J.Penson – Nelson Thornes Ltd 1990

A guide for nurses examining ways of helping family members and friends, before during and after the death of a client.

Death and Dying
Allan Kellehear – Oxford University Press 2000

An interdisciplinary scholarly book on death and dying in Australia.

Living beyond Loss
Walsh and others – W.W.Norton & Co. Ltd 2004

The impact of loss on family functioning and the reorganisation of roles and relationships and related topics.

Earl A. Grollman 
Earl Grollman is a prolific author and his work is very readable and accessible. The following titles are available through good book stores and are worth reading:

• Living when a loved one dies
• Talking about death: A dialogue between parent and child
• Straight talk about death for teenagers: how to cope with losing someone you love
• Caring and coping when your loved one is seriously ill
• Living when a young friend commits suicide
• Time remembered
• When someone you love has Alzheimer’s: a caregivers journey
• Talking about divorce (a picture book for children)
• Bereaved Children and Teens: A support guide for parents and professionals
• Concerning death: a practical guide for the living
• What helped me when my loved one died
• The working parent dilemma: how to balance the responsibilities of children and careers
• Living when a young friend suicides
• In sickness and in health
• Living with loss, healing with hope
• Talking about death