Bereavement Packet

Bereavement Packet
Rosemary Smith

Since the deaths of our sons, Drew and Jeremiah, on July 23, 1992, I have contacted other families who lose children. To date, I have reached over four thousand families.

After contacting each family, I send them a bereavement packet consisting of two books, a video and poems and writings collected over a fifteen year period. The books I send include: "Children of the Dome", and "The Death of a Child" by Elaine Stillwell. The video is called Helping Your Heart Through Grief, and is by Elaine Stillwell. From her own experiences, Elaine shares ideas with bereaved families to cope and survive the loss of a loved one and to lead a meaningful life. In this live family grief seminar in Kentucky, she uses her unique gifts of caring and humor to offer hope and peace for the heart. I also send a CD, "Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth", by Cindy Bullens.

The poems and various writings included in my packet are available to you at this web site by choosing this subsection. My hope is that something in this material brings you some comfort.

Lamentations is a monthly newsletter started in September of 1992 by Dinah Taylor in memory of her son, Young Jim, who died on May 20, 1991. Her writings have been an inspiration to many hundreds of bereaved families across the country who have lost children. If you would like to receive her newsletter, please e-mail Dinah at the following address: dinah@ucumberlands.edu

Elaine Stillwell's Writings

Recommended Books on Grief

Discovering Life After Loss (New)

Their souls shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all….for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
-- Jeremiah 31:12-13

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.
-- Sir Thomas Moore

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.
So now I give him to the Lord.
For his whole life will be given over to the Lord…
-- Samuel 1:27-28