What to Do When a Loved One Dies: A Practical and Compassionate Guide to Dealing with Death on Life's Terms [Hardcover]

Eva Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1994

As an all-encompassing approach to grief management, What to Do When a Loved One Dies assists with the daily realities to the long-term adjustments. Whether you have recently undergone a personal loss, or are on the staff at a hospital, funeral home, church, or hospice, this indispensable reference has something special just for you. Nominated for the 1995 "Book of the Year" award by the American Journal of Nursing, the publication of the American Association of Nurses.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The death of a loved one is a time of great strain and more than a little confusion. Yet there are matters that must be attended to precisely at this time when survivors are not in the best condition to make important decisions. This gentle and sensitive book deals with matters mundane and monumental and offers cogent advice on both. Concerns such as grief resolution are treated caringly as well as questions of what to do if an autopsy is deemed necessary. There is even a chapter on dealing with the death of a pet and another about dealing with a death that has become a media event. Simply put, this book is a comprehensive treatment of the confusing situation of the recently bereaved and a most valuable resource for dealing with a situation that most of us will have to face at least once or twice in our lives. This, then, is a rare quantity: a practical how-to guide truly deserving of that designation. Mike Tribby

Review

" This 'treasure' of information has not only helped my clients in dealing with their grief, but it has made me more sensitive to their needs during this very difficult." -- Judy Semler, State Farm Agent, 1994

" We use this book in our funeral after care program with positive results." -- Christeson Funeral Home, 1997

"....This is the most inclusive book aver written about loss; it's like having a good friend who has been through it before guide the way." -- NAPRA, 1995

"An incredible, thorough, and much-needed resource. Death is part of life. This book can help you integrate all aspects of the experience into your life from the practical to the spiritual." -- Bernie Siegel, M.D., Author, Love Medicine and Miracles 1996

"Books on coping with loss of a loved one are available for most any form of loss and I have read many over the years since my children died...What to Do When a Loved One Dies is extremely well-written and covers most every topic from the initial loss through to "the End as your Beginning." It is truly a 'practical guide' and I feel privileged to have read it." -- Lydia Colman, "Memories" a support group for the loss of only and all children, 1995

"For those who deal daily with death there is always the wish to be there, to be helpful, knowing that the most horrendous situations could be eased a bit with guidance. Eva Shaw has prepared in a most gentle and accurate manner a resource that should be in every home. What to Do When a Loved One Dies can serve as our guide when we are caught in the midst of some of life's sad moments." -- The St. Francis Center, 1995

"This book is beneficial to someone who has a loved one dying as well as someone interested in obtaining information about funerals. What to Do When a Loved One Dies is informative, consumer-oriented, and should be included in every funeral home library." -- National Funeral Directors Association, 1995

"This is the most incredible, beautiful book I've seen on the subject of dying. Eva Shaw has put together a list of resources that aren't found in any other book. I simply cannot say enough about this work." -- Chiyo Maniwa, Director, Buddy Program, AIDS Project LA

"What to Do When a Loved One Dies is an excellent book. It is truly a "help" book, full of information on a very personal level." -- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Author, On Death and Dying, 1995

"Why are we so afraid of death? Why are we so purposely ignorant about one of the few things we all we do? If someone you know dies, this book will be a friend indeed. But I suggest you read it before "the time" comes. Exquisitely practical." -- Peter McWilliams, Author, How to Survive the Loss of a Love 1995

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Dickens Pr (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880741105
• ISBN-13: 978-1880741108
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #742,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Resource, March 10, 2003

By 

E. Shaw (Carlsbad, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What to Do When a Loved One Dies: A Practical and Compassionate Guide to Dealing with Death on Life's Terms (Hardcover)

To those readers who have been asking when this title will be available again, the good news is that Writeriffic Publishing Group, www.....com, will be releasing the updated and second edition of What To Do When A Loved One Dies late this summer.

I've very excited about it and invite those who have been searching for the book or to buy a replacement after giving their copy away, to contact the publisher. Pre-press orders may be discounted. Thank you so much for the support of this much-needed guide to dealing with death on life's terms. It truly can help you survive the lost of a loved one.

Simply put, this book gives practical advice for dealing with the journey of grief.

Respectfully, Eva Shaw, Ph.D.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only book that really helped me with my mother's death, March 12, 2004

By 

Rachel Gamin (Medina, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What to Do When a Loved One Dies: A Practical and Compassionate Guide to Dealing with Death on Life's Terms (Hardcover)

I stumbled across this book in my local public library while my mother was dying horribly of cancer. This was the ONLY book I found to deal with death realistically, calmly, and honestly, without too much new-agey touchy-feely content. It is always compassionate, but straightforward, and helped me immeasurably at a time when I was facing a terrible unknown. I am very glad to hear that it will become available again. In the meantime, if you are going through the terrible situation of losing someone, then check your libraries or find a used copy of this book. You can't ever really prepare for a death, but this book comes as close to helping as anything I've seen.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource and a Compassionate Author, December 15, 2004

By 

A. Fleming (Tioga Co. NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What to Do When a Loved One Dies: A Practical and Compassionate Guide to Dealing with Death on Life's Terms (Hardcover)

It was my privilege to be able to review a pre-publication copy of the second edition of "What to Do When A Loved One Dies" for Dr. Shaw and the publisher. A brief synopsis of my review follows:

"What to Do When A Loved One Dies" is a no-nonsense yet compassionate journey through what, for most of us, will be a confusing and emotionally challenging time. I found every section of this book full of practical information that anyone would find extremely helpful when faced with the death, or impending death, of a loved one.

Dr. Shaw's considerable knowledge of the subject as well as her concern for the individual shines through on nearly every page of her book. With sections as diverse as "The Death of a Child," and "Grief," to "Preparing Children for the Death of A Loved One" or "The Death of a Pet" and even "What to Wear to an Interview" there is, bound within the pages of this work, something everyone will find useful.

I would urge everyone read "What to Do When A Loved One Dies" and to do so before facing this crisis if at all possible. In retrospect I wish I had.

Al Fleming
Newark Valley, NY