Tag Archives: Grieving

How Quakers Cope with Death

Honoring the dead brings solace to the grieving

The Quaker religion is a form of Christianity founded by George Fox in England around 1650. Six years later, in 1656, two women brought the Quaker religion to the United States. Quakers believe that Christ, and by extension God, lives … Continue reading

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“Shine On” by May Erlewine

An inspirational folk song that can lift the spirits of those struggling with grief

When you are grieving a loss, there are times when simply getting up in the morning seems like too much to bear. Life itself can feel overwhelming and burdensome, as if the simple act of taking in air is too … Continue reading

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The Revitalization of Tear Bottles

Ancient mourning ritual of capturing tears garners modern interest

The tradition of collecting one’s own tears in a lacrimatory, or tear bottle, dates back to ancient times. Tear bottles are made of terracotta or glass, and can measure up to four inches in height. In ancient Rome and Greece, … Continue reading

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“Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith

Heartfelt song gives a voice to grief beyond reason

We have all been there: standing before a stark reality and wishing against all reason that what we know to be true isn’t so. A common trait encouraged in children is to be moderate, thoughtful and temperate with their emotions … Continue reading

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“Sad Isn’t Bad: A Good Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing With Loss” by Michaelene Mundy

An educator and mother provides sound advice for children who are grieving a loved one's loss

Helping a child understand death is a challenging task, especially when you are grieving yourself. Children experience many of the same emotions as adults when they lose a loved one, although they process their grief in very different ways. Young … Continue reading

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“A Dog Has Died” by Pablo Neruda

Pablo Neruda's factual ode weeps through wide-open eyes

Pablo Neruda is a great master of understatement, weaving the sparest details around the complexity of loss with a cry that carries its own weight and does not ask to be comforted. The first four lines of his poem “A Dog … Continue reading

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