The death of a loved one has serious implications for adolescent growth and development. The authors review relevant research on the grief process and spirituality in adolescence, and they give a rationale for integrating spirituality into adolescent grief work. By way of a case illustration, they draw implications for counselors' use of…

This study reviewed how attitudes of counselors-in-training toward death develop after completing a course on death education. Participants included 11 graduate counseling students enrolled in a 2-credit-hour course addressing death and dying, and grief and loss. Qualitative results from a content analysis of free-response narratives suggest the…

This article draws from a phenomenological study on the experience of being a bereavement counselor. Ten bereavement counselors shared their experiences in bereavement counseling. Spiritual and emotional aspects of bereavement counseling with grieving and dying persons are discussed as well as the spiritual effects on and growth processes of the…

Introduces and explores the concept of healthy death. Reviews the literature on the subject of death and dying, finding that efforts have sought to make death a "good" and "meaningful" experience. Concludes with a summary definition of healthy death, which centers on a proactive approach to death that involves certain healthy attitudes of the…

Argues that suicide prevention centers do prevent suicides, both through their direct services to clients and through the community education programs. Suicide prevention centers must function as part of an integrated network of human services. The Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service of Tompkins County is described. (Author/BEF)

Thompson reviews the 2006 book by Pauline Boss. Loss is a word that is used frequently to describe numerous life events. In its most apparent state, loss is experienced through the physical death of someone who was once spiritually, psychologically, and physically near. However, ambiguous loss may also occur, when a central person remains present…

The memorial service is becoming a common alternative to the traditional funeral. The effectiveness of the form can be determined by the degree to which each assists the bereft in dealing with loss. Memorial and funeral services are outlined. Appendices provide examples. (Author/BEF)

Counselors need to develop knowledge of the death process and examine their own attitudes. Then they can assist the terminally ill person to develop appropriate coping mechanisms. They can help families to express grief, progress through mourning, and restructure the family system. Finally, they can develop death education programs. (Author)

Presents an overview of the field of death education and suggests that materials used be jargon-free. Counselors should present themselves as careful, respectful, nonconfronting listeners so students can use them as positive models for how they should act with the dying or bereaved person. (Author/BEF)

Explores issues related to "right to die." Makes case for counselors to assist clients and families with concerns related to refusal or withdrawal of medical treatment in cases of terminal illness or in cases where quality of life is severely impaired such as permanent comatose state. Presents historical, ethical, and legal perspectives.…

This article recounts the author's counseling relationship with a client who was a nursing home resident. The article describes the client's spiritual experiences and their impact on the client and the counselor. (Author)

Describes an academic course with emphasis on personal growth beyond the confines of the classroom. The primary objective was to have students reduce fear of death. Lectures, personal notebooks, and experience assignments were used to achieve this end. (BEF)

The author describes four phases of consciousness which individuals progress through in a developmental sense as their awareness of death and dying increases. The role of the counselor in this process is presented. (Author/HLM)

The author describes how her hospital staff's sensitivity grows as they experience each new situation involving dying patients. Staff members have become convinced that dying patients need to know they are cared for and loved by other human beings. (Author/HLM)

The death of a family member can have a significant effect on children, depending on their level of development and the kinds of supports available to them. Spirituality has been linked to effective coping with loss by adults, The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how meaning making, linking objects, and…