Bereavement: Counseling the Grieving Throughout the Life Cycle

David Crenshaw wrote "BEREAVEMENT" for all who work with grieving children and adults. It is a useful tool for those who help others through the grief process. It is written in jargon-less, understandable language, with an emphasis on practicality. Crenshaw focuses upon seven tasks of mourning that he believes must be achieved in order to resolve a loss. These tasks are impacted by developmental factors in differing life stages. Specific grief issues of children - including infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children, as well as teens, young adults, adults in midlife, and elderly adults are discussed and illustrated with case examples. Examples of helpful and not-so-helpful responses to the bereaved are also provided. Crenshaw's style is down-to-earth and readable (he attributes this to having been raised in a small farming community in Missouri where people want to know what to do and how to do it!) His use of case examples allows the reader to stay emotionally involved as well a clearly illustrating his points.