Understanding and Managing Grief, March 23 - April 5, 2025

Best selections from Grief Healing's X feed this week:

The experience of dying a gradual death is an important, integral part of life. It is an opportunity to write our final chapter, to define the ending of our story. Writing Our Final Chapter More Meaningfully « Barbara Karnes, RN

Sadly, I frequently have families experiencing grief state some variation on the following: “Don’t play music, we might cry.” by Alan Wolfelt Educating Families about the Value of Music « AfterTalk

Pet Loss: Grateful for Comfort and Kinship in Grief

There are] two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give.  ~ Edwin Arlington Robinson

A reader writes: Dear Marty, I want to express my gratitude to you personally for the comfort and strength you have given me and others like myself who have lost special companion animals. My cat of eleven and a half years died of kidney disease. We had him euthanized when the disease had progressed to the point where, although he still had his dignity and awareness, he was so painfully thin and weak that we knew he was very tired; he had "fought the good fight," and it was time to let him go. 

Pet Loss: A Letter of Thanks

Find an updated version of this post here: 

Pet Loss: Grateful for Comfort and Kinship in Grief

A reader writes: Dear Marty, I want to express my gratitude to you personally for the comfort and strength you have given me and others like myself who have lost special companion animals. My cat of eleven and a half years died of kidney disease. 

Grief Healing Notified of HONcode Certification!

Certificate of Compliance

Updated September 22, 2020

I am pleased to report that both the Grief Healing Blog and the Grief Healing Discussion Groups Web sites continue to be fully compliant with Health on the Net Foundation’s HONcode. We've recently been notified that both sites are HONcode-certified, which entitles us to display the HONcode seal on the sites’ home pages for the following year.

Health On the Net (HON) was founded to encourage the dissemination of quality health information for patients and professionals, and to facilitate access to the latest and most relevant medical data through the use of the Internet. The Health On the Net (HON) Foundation is a non-governmental organization, internationally known for its pioneering work in the field of health information ethics, notably for the establishment of its code of ethical conduct, the HONcode—the oldest and most trusted code for medical and health-related information available on the Internet.

Understanding and Managing Grief, October 2 - October 8, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

6 Vital Ways Dogs Make Life Better! http://j.mp/2dXW67q « The Huffington Post

Grief Before and After the Storm, http://bit.ly/2e9Yo6p « What to Say When Someone Dies

The 'O' Word that Hits Grievers—and What to Do about It, http://j.mp/2dP9u1f « Stunned By Grief

Grief Healing Earns HONcode Certification

I am pleased to report that for the sixth straight year, both the Grief Healing Blog and the Grief Healing Discussion Groups websites have demonstrated full adherence to Health on the Net Foundation’s high HONcode standards. As a result, both sites have earned HONcode certification, which entitles us to continue displaying the HONcode seal on the sites’ home pages through September 2017.

Health On the Net (HON) was founded to encourage the dissemination of quality health information for patients and professionals, and to facilitate access to the latest and most relevant medical data through the use of the Internet. The Health On the Net (HON) Foundation is a non-governmental organization, internationally known for its pioneering work in the field of health information ethics, notably for the establishment of its code of ethical conduct, the HONcode—the oldest and most trusted code for medical and health-related information available on the Internet.

Understanding and Managing Grief, September 25 - October 1, 2016

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

The Uninvited Guest: Making Room for Grief, http://j.mp/2cIXcEU « WhatsYourGrief?

Grief Healing: Where Did You Get That Name? http://j.mp/2daLjHr « Grief Healing

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Grief Healing: Where Did You Get That Name?

[Reviewed and updated September 9, 2025]

Heal-ing: (n) - the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again; (adj) - tending to heal; therapeutic. Example: "a healing experience." Synonyms: alleviate, ease, assuage, palliate, relieve, help, lessen, mitigate, attenuate, allay. ~ Marion Institute

When I was deciding many years ago what name to give my collection of Grief Healing websites, I struggled with whether to use the word “healing” in my title, because I knew that the notion of healing from grief can seem offensive to some. After all, those of us who are anticipating or coping with the loss of a loved one know full well that grief is not an illness to be cured or a physical injury from which we will recover.

Thoughts Of Suicide in Grief

Find an updated version of this post here:

In Grief: Struggling with Thoughts of Suicide

A reader writes: My beloved died earlier this month, and I can't stop thinking about ending this hell. I know I should stay here for my kids - they don't deserve to lose yet another parent and would be devastated. But I can't see going on like this. Even for one more week. It's just impossible. I'm on antidepressants and sedatives, but I still feel frantic with pain, grief and loneliness. Is this normal? Will I make it? Should I even make it? Or would it be easier to just quit now? I can't even bring myself to pick up the phone and talk to anyone.

Caregiving and Hospice, December 9 - December 15, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Good question: My loved one has dementia, but when is it time for hospice? http://ow.ly/eVgIv

A hospice and palliative care physician counsels a patient on voluntarily stopping eating and drinking, http://ow.ly/1QaM2u via @hospicepharmacy and @abbrody

The time to speak-up with concerns for caregiving in a nursing home is NOW, http://bit.ly/SYDODN via @AARPKY

Doing It All Yourself: When Siblings Don't Pull Their Weight, http://j.mp/Urk35b

Holiday Gift Ideas for Caregivers and Seniors, http://j.mp/QYm5g7 « Soundscape Music Therapy

Caregiving and Hospice, November 18 - November 24, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

Categorized Technology for Family Caregiving, http://buff.ly/WGuKX5 from @CaregivingCafe via @NFCAcaregivers

Five Principles For Elder Caregiving, http://j.mp/TgGzh1 via @SeniorList

Engage With Grace This Thanksgiving, http://j.mp/UVcGm2

Create your caregiving team with family and friends: Start a Personal, Safe, Free Website for Any Health Event,  http://ow.ly/eZgki « CaringBridge

Often confused with hospice care, the scope of palliative care is broader, http://bit.ly/QusSPJ via @hospicepharmacy

Understanding and Managing Grief, October 21 - October 27, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• Grief and the Holidays: Resources,Tips for Everyone, http://ow.ly/eNpCT via @HRRV
  
  
• On pregnancy, infant loss: STILL Project, http://j.mp/Y3FZ9V « Grieving Dads Project
  
  
• Good read! Grief: What If I Can Hold On and Let Go, http://j.mp/P8Btpg
  
  
• Do Men and Women Grieve Differently? Not Always, j.mp/U541Nw « Grief Toolbox
  
  
• Memory of My Darkest Moment Can Change a Life, j.mp/R282l4

Understanding and Managing Grief, June 24 - June 30, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• When Scattering Cremated Remains, Be Considerate, http://j.mp/N03oB4
  
  
• Visit ‪Grief‬ Healing on ‪Pinterest‬: Articles, books, resources for bereaved, http://j.mp/KIBb1q
  
  
• Take Awaken to Good Mourning along as a guide to ‪grief‬, http://tinyurl.com/6mzkrzf
  
  
• Good read: Social Media Changes Grieving Process, http://bit.ly/L5ru3i ‪
  
  
• Beautiful! A Love Letter to Colorado, http://j.mp/MXxdpc « Two Old Horses and Me

Coping with Pet Loss, June 3 - June 9, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• Hospice for animal companions, http://j.mp/MVmiz9 via @hospice_news
  
  
• 3rd International Symposium on Veterinary Hospice Care, http://j.mp/KTtJnU
  
  
• Life Lessons My Dog Taught Me, http://ow.ly/bmncO from @PorchPotty via @mukimutt and @PsychToday
  
  
• Goodbye my pug, my first baby, http://bit.ly/LCck0t by @evmoms in @evtrib
  
  
• Grief Healing: Is Pet Loss Comparable to Loss of a Loved One? http://j.mp/GZocuf by @griefhealing
  
  
• How you can help someone with petloss? http://j.mp/NFgDd3
  

Caregiving and Hospice, May 20 - May 26, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• MA Moves to Require End-of-Life Talks, http://onforb.es/KIvcZi via @annelizhannan
  
  
• For Military Families: 5 Resources for Caregivers of Veterans, http://j.mp/JLErbd via @YourTurnToCare
  
  
• One Moment Does Not Make a Journey, http://j.mp/KTYB4p « Caregiver Stress
  
  
• Video: Navigating the Senior Care Maze, http://j.mp/JrIe2B
  
  
• Pain management: myths and realities in hospice, http://j.mp/KPltWC from @tischmd via @jfclearywisc and @KSkipperFoster

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 20 - May 26, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• Delayed Grief and The Aftermath Of Loss, http://j.mp/Khgwoe
  
  
• When Doctors Grieve, http://j.mp/KhghJR via @swhitbo
  
  
• Powerful Video: 3 Mothers on Losing a Child and How A Support Group Can Help, http://j.mp/JLK1uj via @HopefulMJ
  
  
• Helping Bereaved Youth Successfully Navigate Through the Grief Process, http://j.mp/JLN1Xv via @TraumaReport
  
  
• Amazing: Keeping A Father's Memory Alive, http://j.mp/KP1JT2  | Maria Shriver

Coping with Pet Loss: May 20 - May 26, 2012

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• Should Friends Attend Pet Funerals? http://j.mp/Kig7QV  The answer is Yes!! « The Family Plot Blog

Caregiving and Hospice, May 13 - May 19, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• Revived by Music, http://j.mp/Js77WG via NYTimes.com
  
  
• Outstanding TED talk! Let's talk about dying, http://j.mp/JsfMrS via @happyhealing44
  
  
• Teen suicide: The Power of a Clown Nose, http://j.mp/KjUaQw via http://Examiner.com
  
  
• End of life shouldn't be spent in hospital, expert contends, http://bit.ly/Jcisz2 via @hospicepharmacy
  
  
• What caregiving is like: "Caregivers" video by Christorpher Reeve Foundation, http://youtu.be/OD-8Mk0ANpw via @CaregivingCafe

Understanding and Managing Grief, May 13 - May 19, 2012

Best selections from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• Stay Put? Or move forward in grief? http://j.mp/Js6RXD « The Grief Toolbox
  
  
• How alternative therapies can help in healing grief, http://j.mp/Js6kVA  « Interview by @SevenPonds
  
  
• Tips on how to heal a relationship: start by healing the self, http://bit.ly/wfovIF via @LovingTransform
  
  
• Grief: painful but precious, http://ow.ly/1jSJxe from @NEPetHospice via @GriefHelp
  
  
• Psychology of Regret,  http://vsb.li/H6VqbY by @DrMelanieG  « Psychology Today

Coping with Pet Loss, May 13 - May 19, 2012

Best selection from Grief Healing's Twitter stream this week:

• Gratitude as a tool for healing after pet loss, http://j.mp/JsdsRH by @MarianneSoucy