Do Funerals Matter? is a creative interweaving of historical, sociocultural, and research-based perspectives on death rituals, drawing from myriad sources to create a picture of what death rituals have been, and where, especially in the Western world, they are going. Death educators, researchers, counselors, clergy, funeral-service professionals, and others will appreciate the book's theory- and research-based approach to the ways cultural groups memorialize their dead. They will also find clear clinical and practical applications in the author's exploration of the five 'ritual commonalities' of death-related ritual practice, and help for professionals counseling the bereaved surrounding the funeral ritual. Based on nearly three decades of research and teaching on funeral rites, this volume promises to fill an important gap in the cross-cultural literature on bereavement while answering an important question for our generation: do funerals matter? Do Funerals Matter? is a creative interweaving of historical, sociocultural, and research-based perspectives on death rituals, drawing from myriad sources to create a picture of what death rituals have been, and where, especially in the Western world, they are going. Death educators, researchers, counselors, clergy, funeral-service professionals, and others will appreciate the book's theory- and research-based approach to the ways cultural groups memorialize their dead. They will also find clear clinical and practical applications in the author's exploration of the five 'ritual commonalities' of death-related ritual practice, and help for professionals counseling the bereaved surrounding the funeral ritual. Based on nearly three decades of research and teaching on funeral rites, this volume promises to fill an important gap in the cross-cultural literature on bereavement while answering an important question for our generation: do funerals matter?

Cross-cultural perspective on funerals that emphasizes why groups do what they do In all of our talk of diversity, this book discusses what unites humans in the way we honor death This book succinctly explains the economics of death ceremonies-and why they cost what they do

Cross-cultural perspective on funerals that emphasizes why groups do what they do In all of our talk of diversity, this book discusses what unites humans in the way we honor death This book succinctly explains the economics of death ceremonies-and why they cost what they do

Grief affects different people in different ways, most emerge from mourning in a healthy manner but for some the death of a loved one can cause intense emotional pain that is difficult to recover from. This type of grief can often surface as an underlying cause of physical and mental health problems requiring professional treatment. This highly anticipated fourth edition builds on the success of the previous editions which received worldwide acclaim for their sensitive, insightful, and practical approach to grief counselling. Worden incorporates emerging theories and cutting edge research into this fully revised edition which includes: * a new chapter on the mourning process discussing the personal and social difficulties that shape mourning * detailed guidelines for approaching special types of grief * including suicide, sudden death and miscarriage * an updated version of the Task Model. Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy is an essential resource for everyone working with the bereaved, from those just entering the field, to seasoned practitioners.

Grief affects different people in different ways, most emerge from mourning in a healthy manner but for some the death of a loved one can cause intense emotional pain that is difficult to recover from. This type of grief can often surface as an underlying cause of physical and mental health problems requiring professional treatment.

This highly anticipated fourth edition builds on the success of the previous editions which received worldwide acclaim for their sensitive, insightful, and practical approach to grief counselling. Worden incorporates emerging theories and cutting edge research into this fully revised edition which includes:

a new chapter on the mourning process discussing the personal and social difficulties that shape mourning

detailed guidelines for approaching special types of grief including suicide, sudden death and miscarriage

an updated version of the Task Model.

Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy is an essential resource for everyone working with the bereaved, from those just entering the field, to seasoned practitioners.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Attachment, Loss, and the Experience of Grief. Understanding the Mourning Process. The Mourning Process: Mediators of Mourning. Grief Counselling: Facilitating Uncomplicated Grief. Abnormal Grief Reactions: Complicated Mourning. Grief Therapy: Resolving Complicated Mourning. Grieving Special Types of Losses. Grief and Family Systems. The Counsellor's Own Grief. Training for Grief Counselling.

Do Funerals Matter? is a creative interweaving of historical, sociocultural, and research-based perspectives on death rituals, drawing from myriad sources to create a picture of what death rituals have been; and where, especially in the Western world, they are going. Death educators, researchers, counselors, clergy, funeral-service professionals, and others will appreciate the book's theory- and research-based approach to the ways in which different cultural groups memorialize their dead. They will also find clear clinical and practical applications in the author's exploration of the five ritual anchors of death-related ceremonial practice and help for professionals counseling the bereaved surrounding funerals. Based on nearly three decades of research and teaching on funeral rites, this volume promises to fill an important gap in the cross-cultural literature on bereavement, while answering an important question for our generation: Do funerals matter?

Drawing upon extensive interviews and assessments of school-age children who have lost a parent to death, this book offers a richly textured portrait of the mourning process in children. The volume presents major findings from the Harvard Child Bereavement Study and places them in the context of previous research, providing insights on both the wide range of normal variation in children's experience of grief and the factors that put bereaved children at risk. The book also compares parentally bereaved children with those who have suffered loss of a sibling to death, or of a parent through divorce, exploring similarities and differences in these experiences of loss. A concluding section explores the clinical implications of the findings and includes a review of intervention models and activities, as well as a screening instrument designed to help identify high-risk bereaved children.

Drawing upon extensive interviews and assessments of school-age childr en who have lost a parent to death, this book offers a richly textured portrait of the mourning process in children. The volume presents maj or findings from the Harvard Child Bereavement Study and places them i n the context of previous research, shedding new light on both the wid e range of normal variation in children's experiences of grief and the factors that put bereaved children at risk. The book also compares pa rentally bereaved children with those who have suffered loss of a sibl ing to death, or of a parent through divorce, exploring similarities a nd differences in these experiences of loss. A concluding section expl ores the clinical implications of the findings and includes a review o f intervention models and activities, as well as a screening instrumen t designed to help identify high-risk bereaved children.