Grief Resources with a Sibling Loss Focus

Our deepest condolences to all the families who lost loved ones in the tragic plane crash on January thirtieth. Among those lost, a large contingent of skaters, a dark reminder of the 1961 horrific crash where we lost the entire U.S. Figure Skating Team.

The lives of the individuals who lost loved ones are forever changed. Each will have their own grief journey, on their timeline, and in a manner that works for them, and most importantly know that they are not alone. As supporters, acknowledging their loved one with their name and a memory and a simple, “I’m sorry for your loss,” is a start. Thank you to Margo Fowkes, Founder of Find Your Harbor for providing two informative articles on how to support a grieving friend.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/death-and-dying_b_4329830

https://findyourharbor.com/the-way-home/

When I initially began my grief journey after suppressing my grief for thirty years, the first resource I discovered was a thesis by Brenda Marshall. I reached out to Brenda who graciously sent me a copy. I read her book, Adult Sibling Loss: Stories, Reflections and Ripples, and found comfort in Brenda’s story and the stories of three other adult siblings. I was no longer alone in my grief. Their words resonated with me and felt surrounded by others who understood the impact of the loss of a sibling.

For me, I need to pace myself in the amount of grief information I can read and take part in. That works for me. Others may delve in deeper – attend support groups, conferences, and read multiple books on grief. I am grateful today to witness the increase of resources that exist compared to forty-three and thirty-four years ago when I lost my beloved sisters Jane and Margie.

More organizations, resources, and books are available on sibling loss. Many individuals are brave to share their stories in beautiful memoirs, research, and appear as guests on podcasts. We have found unity in a community we never expected to be part of. 

Below, I have listed a smattering of resources. I do not know the reason there are more books written on sibling loss about the loss of a brother versus losing a sister. For now, I’m focusing the book list on sibling loss of sisters. The more we share our collective resources and stories, open the conversation about grief, no one will grieve alone.

Please DM me @celebofsisters or Judy A Lipson on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/JudyLipsonAuthor  to add to the list of resources or for a referral.

ORGANIZATIONS/ONLINE SOURCES
Bereaved Parents USA, https://bereavedparentsusa.org
The Centering, https://centering.org
The Compassionate Friends, https://www.compassionatefriends.org
COPE, https://copefoundation.org
The Dougy Center, https://www.dougy.org
For Grief, https://www.forgrief.com
Hospice Foundation of America, https://www.hospicefoundation.org
Loss of A Lifetime, https://www.lossofalifetime.com
The Loss Project, https://www.thelossproject.com
Open To Hope, https://www.opentohope.com
ReImagine, https://letsreimagine.org
Salt Water: Find Your Safe Harbor, https://findyourharbor.com
 
PODCASTS
The 10 Ninety
As I Live and Grieve
The Broken Pack
Good Grief
Grief and Light
Grief Out Loud
Open To Hope
Share Your Story
Surviving Sibling Loss
The Surviving Siblings Podcast
Where’s The Grief
 
SISTER LOSS BOOKS
History Of a Suicide: My Sister’s Unfinished Life, Jill Bialosky
Living with Sibling Grief: Imaging a Way Forward, Earla Dawn Legault & Monica Murphy
Everywhere I Look, Ona Gritz
Invisible Sisters, Jessica Handler
Opening up to Grief: A Surviving Sibling’s Journey with Loss and Love, Janice Jernigan
While You Were Out, Meg Kissinger
Nobody Ever Talks About Anything but The End, Liz Levine
The Perfect Other, Kyleigh Leddy
Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve, Judy Lipson
Adult Sibling Loss: Stories, Reflections and Ripples, Brenda J. Marshall, PhD, CT
Her: A Memoir, Christa Parravani
The Oxidation of Grief: Reflections on Adult Sibling Loss, Maria Piantanida
My Sister Lives on a Mantelpiece, Annabel Pitcher
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair, Nina Sankovitch
Grace Street: A Sister’s Memoir of Grief & Gratitude, Maureen Callahan Smith
Without Her: A Chronicle of Grief and Love, Rebecca Spiegel