Earl A. Grollman (1925–2021)

Sent to me as a condolence message, I found it quite a nice, comforting volume. I especially was moved by thinking about and rereading the 23rd Psalm. Walking though the valley of the shadow of death -- I had always understood it as referring to risking one's life and having a narrow escape, due to God's assistance or intervention -- not a very believable piece of magic. It had never occurred to me to see it as caring for or accompanying a dying person. Seen that way, it is a more authentic show more message of comfort and sustenance for the survivor, as if to say -- this is a sad, difficult thing, but I will help you through it and be with you throughout it. show less

I work at a place that deals with end of life issues, so when I recently found myself dealing with the loss of my best friend/love of my life, I started raiding the bookshelves. I'm not going to say this book made me feel any better about what had happened, cause nothing can do that, but it did at least reinforce the knowledge that all the odd little things I seem to be doing are normal. Rabbi Grollman, an internationally known grief counselor (disclaimer: I have never worked with him, but show more he used to write a column in our monthly newsletter), clearly knows what he is writing about and many of the passages described how am I feeling so perfectly it is as if I were talking to someone. Despite the authors position as a rabbi, there is no preaching and only one passing reference to the bible. show less

Living When a Loved One Has Died, by Earl Grollman, is a gentle, poetic journey through grief. Recommended for the later stages of grief, not the first few weeks (Souvenir Press, 2014, £9.99).

A gentle, poetic journey through grief. Recommended for the later stages of grief, not the first few weeks (Souvenir