Books About Grief and Loss

When you are grieving, the right book can feel like a friend — someone who understands, who has walked this path, and who gently shows that hope survives even the deepest loss. Here is a selection of helpful books and resources for all ages, dealing with loss, bereavement and grief, including bereavement by suicide.

Which grief books are good for young children?

The Magical Wood by Mark Lemon — a story about loss, friendship and hope, set in a beautiful wood with a river wandering through. One cold and stormy day the wind blew a terrible gale, and the tree family woke to find that Strongest Tree had fallen and sadly died. How would the tree family survive the seasons without Strongest Tree's strength? A gentle way to open conversations about loss with young children. Order from the Lemon Drop Books website.

What books help after bereavement by suicide?

Daddy Blackbird by Caroline Roodhouse — the true story of a family surviving and thriving after loss by suicide. Whether you're grieving directly, supporting a friend, relative or colleague whose loved one has died by suicide, or struggling with your own mental health, this is an honest, relatable account that offers hope beyond the heartbreak. Available on Amazon.

Things Jon Didn't Know About: Our Life After My Husband's Suicide by Sue Henderson — Sue candidly recounts raising her family as a single parent and survivor of suicide loss. Alongside a moving account of the day-to-day practicalities and emotional impact of Jon's death, there's advice on talking to children about death and suicide, supporting them as they grow up, and being aware of the heightened emotional risks for bereaved children. Available on Amazon.

Giving a Voice to the Child Left Behind by Maddie Roberts — aged eleven, Maddie's world was thrown into turmoil when her dad died by suicide. She tells her story of the unspoken, complex grief she navigated over thirty years, finally allowing her inner child to process the confusion and isolation — offering insight, practical ideas and the support she herself had yearned for. Available on Amazon.

What about wider loss and grief?

The Missing Peace: Creating a Life after Death by Ian Donaghy — a series of beautifully illustrated "talking head" monologues, stories of survival and thought-provoking chapters showing how people have survived, and even thrived, using their own bespoke survival kits after a loved one has died. Available on Amazon.

Other grief and bereavement resources

Finding Hope After Suicide Loss — Ghulam Fernades is a grief transformation coach who lost her 21-year-old sister to suicide. In her blog she shares her own story and ways to navigate grief after losing a loved one to suicide, explaining "complicated grief" — when the natural healing process gets stuck and the pain doesn't lessen with time. We highly recommend this article: it guides you through the stages of normal and complicated grief, and reminds us that we are stronger than we know, we are not alone, and there is hope even in the darkest moments.

You don't have to grieve alone

Books can comfort, but people can hold you. Our Bereavement Support page lists organisations and peer groups for anyone grieving a loss, especially loss by suicide. You can also contact us on 0300 102 1612 or hello@thejordanlegacy.com — and if grief feels overwhelming today, please visit I Need Help Now.