A Time to Grieve: Meditations for Healing After the Death of a Loved One

by Carol Staudacher

A collection of truly comforting, down-to-earth thoughts and meditations -- including the authentic voices of survivors -- for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one.

Genres: Grief, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Health, Death

248 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 1994

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given to me after a personal loss. It is highly recommended for that purpose, if you want to do something for someone grieving. There are one page affirmations of the thoughts, feelings, and circumstances of a griever. These include a statement that might have been made by someone experiencing grief, a usually applicable quote, and an examination of a way to look at the initial statement. There is no judgment. The "meditations" are neutral or positive. You can read as few or as many as you want in a sitting. I've found it very helpful. And will probably travel through it multiple times, until I no longer feel the need.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened upon this book in the bookstore, read a few lines and decided to take it out of the library for further perusal. I read the first 40 pages in one quick sitting and immediately ordered it. It is comprised of quotes by survivors, such as "No one understands how I feel" followed by a validating expansion of that feeling and a meditation/reflection to consider (or not). I found the book to be a smart, direct discussion that is sensible and helpful without being flowery or patronizing. It is structured in a way that it can be picked up and leafed through to find help for a specific grief dilemma or it can be picked up at will and opened to any page...which is helpful for those very distraught and in need of general comfort. I found it a wonderful resource.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't really my thing. I'm still giving it three stars, because I know to a lot of people it would be useful, it just wasn't for me. This consists of various statements, quotes, and meditations to help people deal with grief. It's sort of a loose format, and doesn't have to be read straight through from beginning to end. There will be a statement (something like "I feel so alone" for example), followed by a quote related to that statement, a couple paragraphs talking about the statement, and then a meditation you can use when you find yourself feeling like that. I didn't really get much out of it, but that's just me. Like I said, I just don't think it was my thing. It happens.

[Dianna Kemper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, one of the best on this topic.
( but this book needs to be edited for spelling and punctuation, it was sometimes confusing to read- but worth the effort!)

[Yasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice guidance and doesn't have to be read from cover to cover. You can pick and chose which segaments are applicable to your individual situation.

[Tammy Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to help navigate grief. After loss of my father this year, I needed some literature to help me. You can read this in any order. Read all or read topics that suit your situation. I can see how this would help many.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely book of meditations that I found very comforting and helpful. Highly recommend it to anyone who has recently lost a loved one.

[Enia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely meditations

[Mary Ellin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after my mom and sister died (in the same year!) and promptly gave it away to a grieving friend, and then bought copies for others who’d loved and lost. It’s that good.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, written as short 1 page meditations. Very gentle, calming assurances to help cope with the difficult experience deep grief. I highly recommend.

[Terese Banner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this twice since my husband died in July. I am now flagging so many pages to revisit and reread. This is a very valuable resource and I highly recommend it.

[Michelle Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing my brother was without a doubt the most difficult event of my life. This book has helped with the healing process. The format is a quote, followed by a few paragraphs to think on. Some didn't apply to my situation, but others brought me to tears because they were so accurate. It is not necessary to read the book straight through. There is an index to search for topics of more value to you.

From page 214 - "I have lost a part of myself." and "Even though I wish it were not so, that life has been lived out. I now carry forward with me all that was wonderful, positive, loving, and strong from the relationship. I take it with me everywhere I go." Yes. That. The hole in my heart will never heal, but it can scab over and I can keep the good with me.

[Monette Chilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these meditation and will probably revisit it as I make my way through this first year without my sister. Carol Staudacher certainly knows wherefore she speaks after surviving the unthinkable loss of both her husband and young daughter. Maybe I read it too fast, instead of lingering over each reading, as I should have, for it all seemed to wrap up so quickly. I wanted more raw time. More living in the carnage rather than finding ways to move on. When I read it, I wasn't yet ready for those messages. With grief reading, timing is everything. I may well update my rating to 5 stars upon my second reading. Time will tell.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great set of meditations on how you feel when in grief and the best ways to cope with those feelings while still having them validated. I like the structure that includes real people's sentiments, thoughts and feelings, corresponding famous or helpful quotations and then a brief meditation to contemplate when you relate to that particular feeling on that page. Not everything included applies to you because grief is personal and different for everyone, so it's important to keep that in mind. Overall though it helped and I'm glad I had this resource given to me by someone I love.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect book for those of us who've lost someone and who can barely read from grief. Organized according to how long ago the loved-one died. Made up of passages of a page or two that are easy to skim but still worth looking at. Each passage has a sub-title at the top so you can flip through the book and easily find the page that hits the spot of what you're feeling and thinking that day. Amazing healing available in this small package.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book... should've stuck with it the first time despite my initial dislike of the format. Second time around, I was able to appreciate the format and absorb some things. Some were good reminders of knowledge I already had but forgot instead of applying it to my own life. Quite helpful with grieving.

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful. Short one or two page discussion following a quote about a particular thought or feeling you may be experiencing. When grieving, it can be hard to focus and these short but poignant pieces let you 'find where you are at' in the process and read confirming and comforting situations of others who have been on a similar journey.

[Jayne Flaagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol Staudacher's book "A Time to Grieve" has been a valuable resource for me. I lost numerous loved ones and it has helped me in my grieving process. The book has very short chapters which I use as references when I am dealing with certain issues. Each chapter also has helpful thought-provoking quotes. I keep this book by my bed stand and often refer to it!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The structure of the book made reading very easy. It also made the book a good resource guide based on the short segments and index based on subject. I would highly recommend to anyone struggling with loss.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I'll only read one meditation, sometimes I'll read a few. A lot of times I'll skip the ones that don't apply to me but will come back to later. This is a good book to have and read over and over because each meditation has new meaning as you explore and experience your grief.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a bereavement support person with a hospice organization, I found this book to be a pleasant-enough collection of reflections for those who grieve, helpfully collected into three general "eras" of the grieving experience.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much needed when I bought it, and I imagine I'll continue to go back to it throughout the years.
I liked the fact that I could read only the parts that applied to me, and I didn't have to do a cover-to-cover. The advice is good, compassionate, and realistic.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divided into sections, this book offers consolation and insight for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Helped me twice after the passing of my son and then my brother. It's a book I've given to others during their bereavement of a loved one.

[Carol Chadirjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to me buy a friend after my mother died. It is a great book on experiencing and moving through grief of a loved one through all stages. I then sent it to a friend who lost her mother.

[Deborah Clemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book greatly helped me while grieving the loss of my mother

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the one that you present to your loved ones. Accurate and helpful in times of reflection.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

to remember this book for recommending and re reading.

[Mary Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whne you need more than just kind words from loving friends.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written like a devotion book with quotes, stories and reflections on various topics discussing loss and grief.


One of the better books on discussing loss.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great comfort