New Grief Book: Navigating Loss by Heather Stang

By Heather Stang, MA, C-IAYT

Posted: August 16, 2024

New Grief Book Navigating Loss Heather Stang

Falling Waters, WV — We are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of Navigating Loss: Wisdom and Self-Care for Times of Grief and The Challenges of Life by Heather Stang, a groundbreaking guide that compassionately supports those experiencing grief from all forms of loss, including divorce, estrangement, finances, family caregiving, and career change. Available for pre-order on Amazon now, Navigating Loss will be officially launched on November 12, 2024.

Heather Stang, a renowned thanatologist and author, brings her deep expertise and personal insight to this essential resource. Navigating Loss is not just a book—it’s a companion for those journeying through the challenging terrain of grief, offering tools, metaphors, and practices to help readers find their way.

Navigating Loss stands out for its inclusive approach to grief, addressing both death and non-death losses. Heather Stang weaves together evidence-based research, relatable case studies, and her own personal stories to create a comprehensive guide. The book’s thoughtful practices, including mindfulness exercises and journaling prompts, empower readers to process their grief in a healthy, meaningful way.


The book is praised by experts in the field:

Heather Stang's Navigating Loss is a valued compass for navigating a wide range of life's losses. Grieving individuals will find it both informative and full of activities and exercises to assist in coping with grief. It is a wonderful resource for the bereaved.

Kenneth J Doka, PhD, Senior Vice-President, The Hospice Foundation of America

Navigating Loss is a clear and compassionate guide for people coping with various types of death and non-death losses. Heather Stang does a wonderful job weaving the evidence-based/research-informed current thinking about loss and grief with very relatable stories and practical tools to cope with and adapt to life’s unwelcome changes.

Darcy Harris, PhD, FT, Professor and Thanatology Department Faculty Member of King’s University College in London, Canada

Heather’s use of metaphors, case examples along with her personal experiences enrich this practical guide about surviving and thriving after loss. It offers hope to anyone struggling in their grief who doesn’t know where to turn or how to cope.

Patti Anewalt, PhD, LPC, FT, Founder and Previous Director Pathways Center for Grief & Loss


Key Benefits of Navigating Loss:

  • Comprehensive Coverage: The book addresses all forms of loss, including disenfranchised and non-death losses, often overlooked by society.
  • Practical Tools: Readers will find actionable practices that include mindfulness exercises, journaling prompts, and somatic therapies.
  • Personal Connection: Through Heather’s personal stories and metaphors, readers will feel a deep connection and support as they navigate their own journeys.

Pre-Order Navigating Loss & More Information

Pre-order your copy of Navigating Loss on Amazon today and be among the first to receive it on November 12, 2024. For those who want a sneak peek, sign up to receive a sample chapter as soon as it’s available. This is your opportunity to start the journey toward healing and transformation with the guidance of an expert who truly understands.

To pre-order Navigating Loss, visit Amazon.com or purchase bulk orders through Simon & Schuster.


Deeper Dive into Navigating Loss

Navigating Loss isn’t just another book on grief; it’s a comprehensive guide that acknowledges the complexity of loss in its many forms. Heather Stang, with her background in thanatology and experience in grief counseling, delves into the nuances of grief that many other resources overlook.

"Everyone’s loss matters. Everyone’s pain matters. Everyone includes you."

The book includes a foundation of grief and loss, practical tools for coping and adapting, and guidance on finding external support. Through case studies, personal narratives, and practical exercises, Heather offers readers a chance to engage deeply with their grief and begin the process of healing.

Heather’s approach is unique in its inclusivity, recognizing that not all grief is related to death and that non-death losses—such as divorce, loss of identity, or financial stability—can be just as devastating. Her use of metaphors, like the shattered glass that cannot be made whole again, provides readers with a powerful way to visualize their grief and the process of rebuilding.

"As you walk with me on this healing journey, you will learn that joy and sorrow can coexist. While all beginnings have an end, those endings can lead to a new beginning. And as unwelcome as change is, the most significant growth, compassion, and meaning often blooms from our deepest pain. You will start to live again, and, eventually, create the life you want."

Whether you are experiencing a fresh loss or grappling with unresolved grief from the past, Navigating Loss offers a compassionate and practical roadmap to help you move forward. 

Table of Contents

  • Prologue: A Journey of Loss and Healing
  • Introduction: What is Loss?
  • Chapter 1: The Rocky Terrain of Unacknowledged Loss
  • Chapter 2: The Language of Loss
  • Chapter 3: Mindful Tools for Your Healing Journey
  • Chapter 4: Tending to Your Grieving Body
  • Chapter 5: Mindfulness in Facing Difficult Emotions
  • Chapter 6: Navigating the Emotional Landscape with Compassion
  • Chapter 7: Writing Your Story
  • Chapter 8: Building Resilience Through Ritual
  • Chapter 9: Reorienting Toward Your Future
  • Chapter 10: Finding the Support You Need
  • Chapter 11: How to Help Others Navigate Loss
  • Chapter 12: The Global Landscape of Loss
  • Epilogue: The Path Ahead
  • References
  • Further Reading and Resources
  • Index
  • Acknowledgment
  • Self-care Exercises for Loss

  • Reflecting on Your Disenfranchised Grief (Chapter 1)
  • Charting Your Grief Timeline (Chapter 2)
  • Building Healthy Coping Skills (Chapter 3)
  • Somatic Yoga Therapy (Chapter 4)
  • Coming To Your Senses (Chapter 5)
  • Befriending Compassion (Chapter 6)
  • Revisiting a Familiar Story in a New Light (Chapter 7)
  • Marking Life’s Unseen Milestones (Chapter 8)
  • Reframing Your Loss (Chapter 9)
  • Crafting Your Story to Share (Chapter 10)
  • Supporting a Grieving Person (Chapter 11)
  • Metta Meditation (Chapter 12)
  • Heather Stang, MA, C-IAYT

    About the author

    Heather Stang, M.A. is the author of Living with Grief and the guided journal, From Grief To Peace. She is the creator of the Mindfulness & Grief System that is featured in the Handbook of Grief Therapies (2023) and is the founder of Awaken, a mindfulness-based online grief support group. Heather also hosts the Mindfulness & Grief Podcast, and offers mindfulness-based grief support online through her organization, the Mindfulness & Grief Institute. She holds a Masters degree in Thanatology (Death, Dying, and Bereavement) from Hood College in Maryland, and is a certified Yoga Therapist. She currently lives in Falling Waters, WV.

    You might also like

    Get the compassionate support you need plus mindfulness-based tools to navigate life after loss.



    Meditation | Journaling | Self-care | Sharing