Bereavement Ministry Training within the Catholic tradition should include a broad and deep knowledge of the Catholic faith with regard to death, dying, and grief support for the mourning. Here are some resources for the Bereavement Ministry to include in the training, and for ongoing educational practices.

These books offer a range of perspectives and approaches within the Catholic tradition, from practical guides to spiritual reflections, and from personal workbooks to prayer-focused texts. They can provide comfort, guidance, and spiritual nourishment for Catholics experiencing grief and loss.

Catholic grief practices

1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which outlines official Church teachings on death, grief, and the afterlife: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM 2.
2. Publications from reputable Catholic organizations such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3. 4. Encyclicals or apostolic letters from popes that address suffering and loss, such as Pope John Paul II's "Salvifici Doloris" (On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering).

 

Annotated List of Catholic Books on Grief and Loss 
These books offer a range of perspectives and approaches within the Catholic tradition, from practical guides to spiritual reflections, and from personal workbooks to prayer-focused texts. They can provide comfort, guidance, and spiritual nourishment for Catholics experiencing grief and loss, and for those who companion them.

• "Grieving with the Help of Your Catholic Faith" by Lorene Hanley Duquin 

This practical guide offers specific Catholic practices and prayers to help the bereaved find comfort in their faith. Duquin explores the stages of grief through a Catholic lens and provides concrete suggestions for coping with loss.

• "The Catholic Way to Die" by Fr. Kenneth Doyle

Fr. Doyle explores Catholic teachings on death, dying, and the afterlife. He offers guidance on preparing for death spiritually and practically, making this book valuable for both the grieving and those facing their own mortality.

• "May You Find Comfort: A Blessing for Times of Grieving" by Joyce Rupp

Rupp, a spiritual director and member of the Servite Order, combines personal reflections, prayers, and meditations to offer solace to those experiencing loss. Her gentle approach makes this book accessible to both devout Catholics and those rediscovering their faith in times of grief.

• "Praying Our Goodbyes" by Joyce Rupp

Another offering from Joyce Rupp, this book focuses on using prayer as a means of coping with various types of losses. Rupp draws on Scripture, personal experiences, and Catholic traditions to guide readers through the process of "saying goodbye" in a spiritual context.

• "The New Day Journal: A Journey from Grief to Healing" by Mauryeen O'Brien, O.P.

Sister O'Brien, a Dominican nun, combines journaling prompts with spiritual reflections to create a workbook for those navigating grief. This interactive approach encourages personal reflection and spiritual growth through the grieving process.

• "The Way of the Cross for the Holy Souls in Purgatory" by Susan Tassone

While not exclusively about grief, Tassone's book offers a unique perspective on loss by focusing on prayers for the deceased. This can be particularly comforting for Catholics who find solace in the belief that they can continue to help their loved ones through prayer after death.

• "The Truth about Trouble: How Hard Times Can Draw You Closer to God" by Fr. Michael Scanlan, T.O.R.

Fr. Scanlan, former president of Franciscan University of Steubenville, explores how difficulties, including grief, can strengthen one's relationship with God. While not solely focused on grief, it offers a Catholic perspective on finding meaning in suffering.

• "Grief: A Franciscan Perspective" by Fr. Terence P. Kristofak, C.P.

Fr. Kristofak draws on Franciscan spirituality to offer insights on grief and loss. This book may be particularly appealing to those drawn to the Franciscan tradition within Catholicism.

• "The Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory" by Susan Tassone

Another offering from Susan Tassone, this book provides a specific prayer practice for those grieving. It combines the familiar structure of the Rosary with intentions for deceased loved ones, offering a concrete way for grieving Catholics to feel connected to those they've lost.

• https://www.centerforloss.com/bookstore-category/for-adults/the-100-ideas-series/

Though not exclusively Catholic, Alan Wolfelt is highly respected in Catholic circles. He has written many books on grief and loss (including other types than death). This series gives practical ideas for grieving that are accepted within Catholic circles as being consistent with Catholic teaching. There are books for specific types of loss in this series.  A Church might add each of these books to their library for parishioners.