In this groundbreaking and poignant (Los Angeles Times) book, David Kesslerpraised for his work by Maria Shriver, Marianne Williamson, and Mother Teresajourneys beyond the classic five stages to discover a sixth stage: meaning.

In 1969, Elisabeth Kbler-Ross first identified the stages of dying in her transformative bookOn Death and Dying.Decades later, she and David Kessler wrote the classicOn Grief and Grieving, introducing the stages of grief with the same transformative pragmatism and compassion. Now, based on hard-earned personal experiences, as well as knowledge and wisdom gained through decades of work with the grieving, Kessler introduces a critical sixth stage: meaning.

Kesslers insight is both professional and intensely personal. His journey with grief began when, as a child, he witnessed a mass shooting at the same time his mother was dying. For most of his life, Kessler taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about end of life, trauma, and grief, as well as leading talks and retreats for those experiencing grief. Despite his knowledge, his life was upended by the sudden death of his twenty-one-year-old son. How does the grief expert handle such a tragic loss? He knew he had to find a way through this unexpected, devastating loss, a way that would honor his son. That, ultimately, was the sixth stage of griefmeaning. InFinding Meaning, Kessler shares the insights, collective wisdom, and powerful tools that will help those experiencing loss.

Beautiful, tender, and wise (Katy Butler, author ofThe Art of Dying Well),Finding Meaningis an excellent addition to grief literature that helps pave the way for steps toward healing (SchoolLibrary Journal).