Open to Hope Articles

Do you want to read stories of others who have been where you are? Are you looking for bereavement help, and advice? Look no further. We offer over 7,000 articles written by our Open to Hope authors.

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What Makes Pregnancy Losses Unique

Posted on March 20, 2009 - by Monica Novak

by Irv Leon, Ph.D. – People who suffer miscarriages and stillbirths grieve over a baby they do not know.  Understanding how these losses are different from other losses helps to appreciate the […]

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When Death Comes as a Shock…

Posted on March 20, 2009 - by Carol O'Dell

Actress Natasha Richardson died yesterday–from a head injury. She fell on the bunny slopes while skiing with her son in Canada. She was 45. Her death comes as a shock to her […]

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He Was More Than the Way He Died

Posted on March 20, 2009 - by Debra Reagan

By Debra Reagan — “My son died of a drug overdose.” This is one of the most difficult sentences I have ever spoken in my life. Every time I opened […]

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Writing Thank You Notes After a Funeral

Posted on March 19, 2009 - by Beverly Chantalle McManus

By Beverly Chantalle McManus Over the past six years since Steve’s death, in grief workshops and counseling sessions, I’ve talked with hundreds of people whose loved ones have died. One […]

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A Fallen Hero

Posted on March 18, 2009 - by Eric Tomei

Today, everyone took their turn at celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Every person whether you’re Irish or not, has an excuse to be Irish at least for one day.   Not […]

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Can We Enjoy Pavarotti at the Deathbed?

Posted on March 18, 2009 - by Lizzy Miles

By Elizabeth Miles — On a Friday in January of 2003, I get a phone call from my step mom. My aunt, my dad’s sister Shirley, has a pneumonia, it’s […]

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Preparing To Say Goodbye and Other Challenges of the Heart

Posted on March 17, 2009 - by John Pete

I found out this week that my father’s several years-long battle with cancer has moved to a terminal stage. And while the news is not completely unexpected, it is a frightening […]

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Hello March, Goodbye Fear

Posted on March 17, 2009 - by Mary Jane Hurley Brant

By Mary Jane Hurley Brant, M.S., CGP — Fear is big these days and, like wildfire, it spreads easily and quickly. Fear is a primal emotion; it triggers our reptilian […]

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Fatherloss To Be Made Into PBS Special

Posted on March 17, 2009 - by Neil Chethik

FatherLoss, a book by Open to Hope Executive Editor Neil Chethik, is being made into a PBS Special for national distribution this Father’s Day. Neil will be the featured expert […]

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Unique Aspects of Losing an Only Child

Posted on March 16, 2009 - by Sandy Fox

by Sandy Fox When a parent loses an only child or all their children, we learn there are unique aspects that confront us. I will be listing for you in […]

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