News & Press
We Grieve, We Remember, We Support: Thoughts from a 9/11 widow and grief advocate
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “We Grieve, We Remember, We Support: Thoughts from a 9/11 widow and grief advocate” was published in the Director Magazine. It is available here.
10 Reason to Use a Funeral Director
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “10 Reasons to Use a Funeral Director” was published in the Director Magazine. It is available here.
The Teeter-Totter of Resilience and Vulnerability in Grief
Dr. Wolfelt’s article The Teeter-Totter of Resilience and Vulnerability in Grief” was published in the Wings newsletter. It is available here.
The Spiritual Path to Healing
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “The Spiritual Path to Healing” was published in the Summer 2026 edition of the the TAPS Magazine It is available here.
Ask Dr. Wolfelt: What are your thoughts about telling someone who is dying – “You can go now?”
Question: What are your thoughts about telling someone who is dying – “You can go now?” When someone we love is actively dying, sometimes we are encouraged to say goodbye or tell them that it is okay with us if they go. Sadly, I have seen some people tell...
Cremation is Here to Stay. Are You?
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Cremation is Here to Stay. Are You?” was published in the Funerals Australia Magazine. It is available here.
Frontline – Helping A Friend Who Is Dying
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Helping a Friend Who is Dying” was published in the Spring 2026 edition of Frontline. It is available here.
The Capacity to Love Requires the Necessity to Mourn
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “The Capacity to Love Requires the Necessity to Mourn” was published in the Spring 2026 edition of the the TAPS Magazine It is available here.
What is Grief Overload?
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “What is Grief Overload” was published in the AfterTalk weekly blog. It is available here.
Reclamation Initiative
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Reclamation Initiative” was published in the March 2026 edition of the Director Magazine It is available here.
Frontline – Helping Your Family After Stillbirth
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Helping Your Family After Stillbirth” was published in the Winter 2025 edition of Frontline. It is available here.
Cremation is Here to Stay. Are You?
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Cremation is Here to Stay. Are You?” was published in the December 2025 edition of the Director Magazine It is available here.
The Importance of Hope
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “The Importance of Hope” was published in the Winter 2025 edition of the the TAPS Magazine It is available here.
Frontline – Finding the Right Words
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Finding the Right Words” was published in the Fall 2025 edition of Frontline. It is available here.You’re Not Crazy – You’re Grieving
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “You’re Not Crazy – You’re Grieving” was published on the Aftertalk blog. It is available here.
Frontline – Embracing the Sadness of Grief
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Embracing the Sadness of Grief” was published in the Summer 2025 edition of Frontline. It is available here. Ask Dr. Wolfelt: Who is the Real “Grief Expert?”
Question: I see people promoting themselves as “grief experts.” When I attended your training, I think you mentioned that the true “expert” is the mourner. Can you expand on this? Your memory is correct – I have always maintained that the true expert in grief...The Value of Readings in Funerals
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “The Value of Readings in Funerals” was published in the June 26, 2025 edition of the the Memorial Business Journal. It is available here.
Understanding the Guilt of Grief
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Understanding the Guilt of Grief” was published in the Summer 2025 edition of the TAPS magazine. It is available here. Ask Dr. Wolfelt: Are “Griefbursts” Normal?
Dr. Wolfelt is often asked questions by those who attend our trainings on their way to earning their Death & Grief Studies Certificate. Over the next few months he’ll be answering some of those questions here. Do you have a question for Dr. Wolfelt? Email us...
The Value of Symbols in Funerals
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “The Value of Symbols in Funerals” was published in the May 2025 edition of the Director magazine. It is available here. Ask Dr. Wolfelt: Frequently Asked Questions About Support Groups
We often receive calls into the Center for Loss asking questions about facilitating grief support groups. In an effort to help, Dr. Wolfelt has responded below to some frequently asked questions: Do you have a question for Dr. Wolfelt? Email us here! — Question:...
Embracing the Sadness of Grief
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Embracing the Sadness of Grief” was published in the Spring 2025 edition of the TAPS magazine. It is available here.
Stories Worth Telling
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Stories Worth Telling” was published in the March 2025 edition of the Director magazine. It is available here.
Ask Dr. Wolfelt: Reconciliation Versus Resolution
This question was recently posed to Dr. Wolfelt – “As a person in grief I have been told that I need to “resolve” my grief. I was so relieved to read about your concept that we don’t really resolve our grief, but we can “reconcile” it. Can you describe the...
The Amazing Power of Story
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “The Amazing Power of Story” was published in the January 2025 edition of the Director magazine. It is available here.
Reflecting on the Awesome Power of “Telling the Story:” Going Backward Before We Go Forward
It was Soren Kierkegaard that wisely noted, “Life must be lived forward, but it can only be understood backwards.” As the 25th anniversary of the death of my father approaches this next month, I have found myself instinctively going backward. Backward to the...
Ask Dr. Wolfelt about the New Editions of his Suicide Loss Resources
Dr. Wolfelt was recently asked to share more information on the new editions of his Understanding Your Suicide Grief resources. See his answers below. Do you have a question for Dr. Wolfelt? Email us here! — You are just releasing three new editions of your...
The Journey Through Grief: The Mourner’s Six ‘Reconciliation Needs’
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “The Journey Through Grief: The Mourner’s Six Reconciliation Needs” was published in the October 2024 edition of the American Funeral Director magazine. It is available here.
Gone Missing
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Gone Missing: The Importance of Educating Families about Keeping the Guest of Honor Around for the Funeral” was published in the November 2024 edition of the Director magazine. It is available here.Ask Dr. Wolfelt: Is the best and probably only way to get through complicated grief antidepressants?
This question was recently posed to Dr. Wolfelt – “Is the best and probably only way to get through complicated grief antidepressants?” See his answer below. Do you have a question for Dr. Wolfelt? Email us here! — My short answer is absolutely...
Don’t Play Music, We Might Cry
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Don’t Play Music, We Might Cry” was published in the September 2024 edition of the Director magazine. It is available here.
You’re Not Crazy – Part 5
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “You’re Not Crazy – Embracing Your Spirituality Helps You Survive” was published in the Fall 2024 edition of the TAPS magazine. It is part five of a 6-part series.This part, part five, is available here.
Grieving Together – Part 5: Embracing Spirituality
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Grieving Together – Part 5: Embracing Spirituality” was published in the June 2024 edition of the Australian Funeral Director magazine. It is part five of a 6-part series.This part is available here.
Efficiency Does Not Equal Effectiveness
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Efficiency Does Not Equal Effectiveness” was published in the June 2024 edition of the Director magazine. It is available here.
Out of Order
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “Out of Order” was published in the May 2024 edition of the Director magazine. It is available here.
You’re Not Crazy – Part 3
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “You’re Not Crazy – Acknowledging the Illusion of Control” was published in the Spring 2024 edition of the TAPS magazine. It is part three of a 6-part series.This part, part three, is available here.
A Healthy Path to Long-Term Healing
Dr. Wolfelt’s article “A Healthy Path to Long-Term Healing” was published in the Aril 2023 edition of the American Funeral Director. It is available here. It also appeared in AfterTalk weekly blog available here.The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Though you should reach out to others as you do the work of mourning, you should not feel obligated to accept the unhelpful responses you may receive from some people. You are the one who is grieving, and as such, you have certain...Touchstone Two (Part Two) – Dispel the Misconceptions About Grief
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. In the last issue we explored some of the most common misconceptions about grief—and how those misconceptions can pull you off the path to healing. Following are five more misconceptions to be on the watch for. Misconception 6: When someone...Helping Teenagers Cope with Grief
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Each year thousands of teenagers experience the death of someone they love. When a parent, sibling, friend or relative dies, teens feel the overwhelming loss of someone who helped shape their fragile self-identities. And these feelings...Embracing the Sadness of Grief
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “In every heart there is an inner room, where we can hold our greatest treasures and our deepest pain.” — Marianne Williamson Sadness is a hallmark symptom of grief, which in turn is the consequence of losing something we care about....Helping Children Cope With Grief
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Adults grieve. So do children. As an adult or child, experiencing grief means to “feel,” not just to “understand.” Anyone old enough to love is old enough to grieve. Even before children are able to talk, they grieve when someone loved...Exploring Your Feelings of Loss
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “There is no right response to death. You make it up as you go along.” – Joan Connor On your journey through the wilderness of your grief, a critical trail marker to be on the watch for is Touchstone Four, which guides you in...Helping Yourself Heal When Someone Dies
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Someone you love has died You are now faced with the difficult, but important, need to mourn. Mourning is the open expression of your thoughts and feelings regarding the death and the person who has died. It is an essential part of...Helping a Suicide Survivor Heal
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Historian Arnold Toynbee once wrote, “There are always two parties to a death: the person who dies and the survivors who are bereaved.” Unfortunately, many survivors of suicide suffer alone and in silence. The silence that surrounds them...Helping a Grandparent Who Is Grieving
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “When a grandchild dies, grandparents grieve twice. They mourn the loss of the child and they feel the pain of their own child’s suffering. Sometimes we forget about the grandparents when a child dies. You can help by...Helping Yourself Heal When an Adult Sibling Dies
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other’s hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs...Mustering the Courage to Mourn
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “Whatever you do, you need courage.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Loss brings uninvited pain into our lives. In opening to the presence of the pain of your loss, in acknowledging the inevitability of the pain, in being willing to...Grieving the Death of a Celebrity
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. When someone we have admired from afar dies, it’s normal and natural to experience grief. This article will help you understand your thoughts and feelings over the death of a celebrity and find healing ways to mourn. What is...Healing Your Traumatized Heart: Seeking Safety, Understanding, and Peace
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Someone you love has died a sudden, traumatic death. If you are in the early days of your grief journey, you are likely still feeling numbed by shock and disbelief. This is a normal and necessary step, for it is nature’s way of...Helping Yourself Heal During the Holiday Season
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Holidays are often difficult for anyone who has experienced the death of someone loved. Rather than being times of family togetherness, sharing and thanksgiving, holidays can bring feelings of sadness, loss and emptiness. Love...Helping Yourself Heal When Someone You Care About Dies of a Drug Overdose
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. A friend or family member has died of a drug overdose. Death and grief are always hard, but when someone dies from drug use, understanding your feelings and knowing what to think and say about the death can be especially difficult....Why Is the Funeral Ritual Important?
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “When words are inadequate, have a ritual.” — Author Unknown Rituals are symbolic activities that help us, together with our families and friends, express our deepest thoughts and feelings about life’s most important events. Baptism...Nurturing Yourself When You’re Grieving
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “There is nothing in nature that can’t be taken as a sign of both mortality and invigoration.” — Gretel Ehrlich The word “bereaved,” which to our modern-day ears can sound like an old-fashioned term that only a funeral director might...Helping Yourself Heal When Your Child Dies
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “The experience of grief is powerful. So, too, is your ability to help yourself heal. In doing the work of grieving, you are moving toward a renewed sense of meaning and purpose in your life.” ~ ~ ~ Allow yourself to mourn Your...Reaching Out for Help When You Are Grieving
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “Action is the antidote to despair.” – Joan Baez When someone you love dies, you must mourn if you are to renew your capacity for love. In other words, mourning brings healing. But healing also requires the support and...Healing Your Grieving Body: Physical Practices for Mourners
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “And no one ever told me about the laziness of grief.” – C.S. Lewis This article is in your hands because you are in mourning. You have been “torn apart” and have some very special needs right now. Among these special needs is to...Exploring the Uniqueness of Your Suicide Grief
by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. “The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love, and to be greater than our suffering.” —Ben Okri The wilderness of your grief is your wilderness. The death of someone from...
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