Matters of Life and Death: Finding the Words to Say Goodbye [Paperback]

Carol Wogrin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 14, 2001

Plenty of books explore the emotions of coping with grief and a loved one’s death. But as psychologist Carol Wogrin has observed, there is little advice for those at a loss for words witnessing the process of dying. Matters of Life and Death discusses the importance of communicating with the terminally ill both through talking and nonverbal expression and offers suggestions for what to say to offer comfort, both emotional and physical.

Brimming with constructive advice for opening up, Matters of Life and Death helps allay the fears that often silence friends and relatives in the face of death. Helping readers manage their fears–the fear of saying the wrong thing, of upsetting others, of facing overwhelming feelings–this book is a beautiful prescription for conveying a heartfelt message when it matters the most.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Carol Wogrin, a psychologist specializing in death and bereavement, instructs readers on the best ways to communicate with those who are dying in Matters of Life and Death: Finding the Words to Say Goodbye. From the discussion of funeral plans to taking care of daily ailments such as nausea or aches, her coverage is very thorough, providing useful suggestions for a difficult topic. Wogrin offers an in-depth look at this process in hopes that the reader can overcome awkwardness and instead deal with the important issues.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Wogrin's credentials and her ability to communicate plainly and openly about dying make this work a significant contribution to bereavement literature. Formerly a registered nurse, Wogrin now works as a licensed psychologist specializing in death and grieving and also serves as the executive director of the National Center for Death Education and as director of the Bereavement Studies Programs at Mount Ida College. Always emphasizing the importance of relationships and communication, Wogrin imparts easily digestible advice about how to put complicated feelings into words, including lists of ways to talk to a dying person or questions to ask doctors. She often uses poignant stories from her extensive experience as a healthcare professional to illustrate points. Handling difficult relationships and helping children deal with a dying parent are covered at length. This book would be a useful addition to all public libraries and to academic libraries serving clinical psychology, counseling, or social work programs. Annette Haines, Central Michigan Univ., Mount Pleasant Social Science
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 189 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (August 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767903951
• ISBN-13: 978-0767903950
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)