Good book on understanding death.
340122
Enjoyed reading this book. Will definitely read her other books.
564666
I very much enjoyed this book.  An easy read, but interesting perspectives on death and life, good and evil, society, etc.
1069963
I lost my spouse 4 years ago, and with her passing came my grief.  I've read a lot about bereavement, hoping to understand what I was experiencing better.

This is the best book about grief I've come across. Clearly written and interesting. The author has done research on grief for years. Its comforting to know about this research. There's a lot in the book about natural resilience, and how we are wired naturally to deal with loss. But I found the chapter on severe grief reactions and therapy especially helpful.

The author's message appears to me that therapy for bereavement works, but only when you need it. That seems about right to me.
1055018
This book depicts the different feelings and ideas with regard to grieving.  As a hospice worker, I recommend  this book it has helped many people.
2083464
I took a college class on Death and Dying a few years back and this was one of the books we were required to read.  I can honestly say that it really changed my view of dying in a positive way. It was not the easiest book I've ever read (I still remember reading it on my lunch break and crying right in the middle of a very busy Wendy's restaurant), but definitely one of the most useful.  I can't tell you how many people I have loaned this to - people who have just experienced death, and those who are caring for a loved one who is near death.  In fact, I bought a copy of this book and donated it to my church in hopes that others will find comfort in reading it. The people I have loaned it to who had already lost a loved one said they wished they would have read it sooner so they could have better understood the stages their loved one went through before passing away.  Needless to say, my original copy from college is pretty dog-eared, so I'm going to buy another for myself and one to have around when a friend needs it.
2802247
This is a very good book on the subject of Life after Death!  I see where other reviewers said they enjoyed the colored drawings in the book, but the copy I have does not have these!  Are these in a hard cover edition as opposed to a paperback, which is what I have?  It would be very nice to see the drawings!
4480101
We have added this book to our short-list collection of books dealing with loss. It is an excellent secular discussion about dying. In it the author states, "Death is a natural part of life. All living things grow, change and eventually die." On the page where this text appears is a dying tree; on the facing page is a fallen bird. When the book reaches human loss, there's a question at the bottom of the page designed to help adults guide a child in a brief discussion by asking, "What about you? Has anyone you know died? How did they die?"

This book helps children (and adults, too) deal with the loss of loved ones, its accompanying grief, and even guilt. Likening one's soul to a raindrop that joins other raindrops in the ocean is brilliant! At the end of the book is a section on how to use the book; a short glossary (funeral, soul, and grief) which could've been expanded to include words like "culture," "beliefs", "ceremony"; further reading choices; and a paragraph on resources for grief support. I liked the fact that author Thomas mentions that people of different cultures have some beliefs that are the same and some that are different when it comes to what happens after someone dies. Lesley Harker's illustrations are lovely and comforting.

A must for every family's home library.

Carolyn Rowe Hill
1372445
I liked that the author shared some of her life experiences, especially the ones connecting to those who have died. There has been a lot of death around me lately and it has been helpful to share content from this book with my friends who have experienced loss.
1735857
I love this book, it really helps me to think about death differently.  I want to read all of his books!
92930
Having lost both of my parents and knowing their ashes are still in the boxes with their certificates as they grace a shelf in a nearby bedroom closet, this book really resonated with me. Caitlin's final opinions and her humorous yet sincere way of getting there truly endeared her to me. She answered some things I'd wondered and her history of death rituals was fascinating. I hope her Order of the Good Death continues to find followers, with me being one of the new converts. A good read with some eye opening commentary. Maybe not for the truly squeamish, but I was able to distance myself and look at most of the macabre descriptions in a matter of fact way, due to her style of writing. More people should understand the "death business" realizing they can plan for the inevitable without being afraid.
278291
This book was enlightening and comforting.  I recently attended a funeral service for my wife's uncle which tends to compel one to take a look at their own mortality and reminds one of other loved ones that has passed.  It elicited discussion about my own wishes for end of life care and funeral (body disposal in more truthful terms).  The book was comforting by describing more of what I can expect when I decide what to do with my own mother's remains.  Since her passing in 2009, I have had reservations about opening the box and perhaps seeing a vestige of her former self.  Caitlin's descriptions of the process and encouragement of acceptance of death compels me to act on the thoughtful things I intended to do with her remains; not that it won't be incredibly difficult and painful but that it is indeed part of the process of life.

Caitlin's writing style is wonderfully enlightening and at times humorous while dealing with the macabre and, quite honestly, disgusting features of what naturally occurs when we die.  I don't think myself a fast reader but I was able to finish it in a day due to it being a page-turner and concisely well=written.
1879195
Good book to help one understand the tragedy of a stroke and how we need to be very caring for those people and understand what they are going through.
3480468
Good book on how to deal with death. Finding what happens when You give it to God. You can get through any storm.  Just believe his love will see you through.
1438059
I really enjoyed this book told from Death's point of view.  While the subject is tragic, it is a simple book written in a unique, graceful, philosophical and touching way.
738595
This was a very thought provoking story that intertwined life and death.  Each experience reminds us that we need the death experience to help us understand how life works through death.
3493585
As a hospice volunteer, I could relate to this book by Dr. Byock.  He is an excellent writer with something important to say about death, dying, and dignity.
3498137
Book arrived on time in condition promised.
Rainer's theology on death explores the relationship of God with humankind through and with the reality of death. His writing is biblically sound and centered on the Catholic tradition of death as encountering God. The writings do not attempt any type of conversation or sugar coat the reality of what death is. It is a good read.