The death of those we love is always devastating. It’s as though a part of us has also died. We wonder if the sense of pain and loss will ever stop, and whether anyone really understands.

We have many different emotions at times like this. It is natural to feel and express them. The Lord both knows and understands how we feel in our loss.

Whether we journey slowly or quickly through our grief, God brings comfort in our anger and numbness, in our guilt and regret, in our fear and doubt, in our isolation and loneliness. God holds us and is with us.

Developed with bereavement counsellors, Lifewords’ Living with Loss deals honestly with heartache, anger, fear and, of course, loss. Verses from the Psalms and other books of the Bible are coupled with reflective photos and truths about God. The resource is used widely by chaplains, church leaders and individuals and is recommended by At a Loss, a charitable organisation seeking to change the culture and fill the gaps in bereavement support.

Gill, a Prison Chaplain, shared with us her experience of Lifewords’ resources: “Many of our prisoners have experienced trauma which has massively impacted their lives. It is good to be able to give them good quality resources that might help them.” Along with the Little Book series and Consider the Wildflowers, Gill has found Living with Loss to be an encouraging resource. She continued: “I am very grateful for the booklets provided by Lifewords and for those who support the organisation. It is very much appreciated by the prisoners and I hope that the availability continues for many years to come.”

Similarly, Revd Beatrice Musindi, who works as a chaplain at an HMP Youth Offender Institution, shared: “Those who experienced bereavement while in custody have found Living with Loss a source of encouragement.”

A number of chaplaincies or charities run a ‘Living with Loss’ course, and have used Lifewords’ booklet as part of this. A volunteer who visits HMP Buckley Hall shared: “We have run a 'Living with Loss' course for many years, based on the one initially developed by HMP Whitemoor. We have used your inspiring publication to give to the participants as they complete the course. It has been, literally, a 'God send'.”

Living with Loss is present in many hospital chaplaincies too. Presbyterian Hospital Chaplain Claire Sellar said: “The booklet Living with Loss has been available in the hospital chapels for patients, staff and visitors read and take home. It has been particularly useful at times when the hospital community has been grieving the loss of a member of staff."

Many individuals share Living with Loss in their day to day lives too. Lynn Short told us: “I keep a supply of your different books with me, especially Living with Loss as I've had the opportunity to give this to people when they have lost someone and they have needed to talk. It's good to have something they can look at afterwards and read on their own.”

Helen, who shared about her experience with Little Book of Faith and other Lifewords resources in a previous blog post, shared: “I often keep a copy of Living with Loss at the bottom of my bag. You never know when you might meet someone who would fight great comfort in this resource.”

Church family is a place in which we can find support too, and, in a healthy church, people are cared for in their times of need, including when they are grieving the loss of a loved one. Catherine, who is part of a church in New Zealand, explained: “We’ve used Living with Loss for so many years with people who are grieving. Many want support and love, and it’s just so hard to find the right words. The booklets are a beautiful gesture and so sensitive. Many gain hope and comfort and we’re so grateful.”

Engaging with grief and loss can be a way in which a church supports and reaches out to its local community too. Revd Alison Hardy shared: “Last year we used Lifewords’ resources in our network of five churches during our summer festivals and open church events. The booklets were welcomed and many who spoke to us of loss, bereavement or diagnosed illness asked especially for Living with Loss.”

When trying to comfort someone who is grieving, it can sometimes be hard to know what to say. Whilst the Living with Loss booklet isn’t an excuse to say nothing, drop a booklet on someone and run, it is a great way of supporting and bringing comfort to those who have lost a loved one.

Perhaps you could order Living with Loss to use in your ministry or context, or give to the work of Lifewords to ensure that chaplains, churches, charities and individuals can continue to use our resources to offer care, comfort and hope in their communities.