The death of a loved one is a very difficult time for anyone, regardless of religion. Most everyone asks the same questions: What do I do? How do I cope? When will the pain end? What next? What now? In Judaism, the mourning period immediately following a death – known as a shiva – is the traditional way in which loss is felt, dealt with, and observed. But mourning is a very complex and time-honored ritual in the Jewish religion, and literature on the subject can be not only educational but also very helpful and uplifting during this period.
Below is a list of books, for both adults and children, offering guidance, solace and information, along with an educational perspective to learn more about shiva, or make the most difficult of times a little easier to navigate.