A Bereavement Ministry Resource

Dealing with grief is a reality that must be faced in every kind of ministry. It can also one of the more difficult pastoral skills to develop and I know that I have often felt woefully

inadequate in seeking to mediate comfort. So I was delighted to receive a copy of Larry J. Michael's book, A Necessary Grief: Essential Tools for Leadership in Bereavement Ministry. Although other responsibilities have prevented me from a careful reading, what I have seen seems quite helpful. There are numerous lists (e.g., questions children might ask at the death of a loved one, p. 167) and helpful appendices (e.g. funeral planning checklist, pp. 153-55). You can check out the book and read a 32-page excerpt here.