Death, Dying, and Grief Theories, Tools, and Cases

This book is a groundbreaking resource that explores loss through multidisciplinary and multicultural perspectives. Guided by the Spiral Model of Grieving and Healing, it honors the deeply personal yet socially embedded nature of dying and grieving. The book introduces the Integrative Psychosocial Model of Care, providing real-world cases, practical tools, and evidence-based insights from decades of teaching, research, training, and practice.

While many books focus solely on academic theories or practical tools, few bridge the gap between them. This book uniquely combines thanatology theories with real-life cases and actionable tools, providing a comprehensive guide for end-of-life and grief support. It also maintains a compassionate and contemplative approach, incorporating diverse cultural viewpoints throughout.  

The book's 13 chapters are organized in five parts: 

• Part I: An Integrative Understanding of Death, Dying, and Grief
• Part II: Theories and Concepts in Loss, Grief, and Dying
• Part III: Principles and Practices in End-of-Life and Grief Support
• Part IV: Supporting Psychosocial Needs in End-of-Life and Grieving
• Part V: Supporting Spiritual Needs in End-of-Life and Grieving

Death, Dying, and Grief: Theories, Tools, and Cases is an invaluable resource for academics, professionals, and anyone navigating these profound experiences. The book serves as a guide for social workers, hospice workers, ministers, counselors, educators, healthcare and other professionals. Instructors, trainers and college students may use this guide as supplemental material for Grief Support or Thanatology courses.

“The great value of Yan Ciupak and Douglas Smith’s book is that it offers a concise summary of what we have learned in the past decades. Readers will not only enjoy a rich distillation of the field but one buttressed by activities for self-reflection, tools for support, and rich case studies that translate concepts and theories into situations often encountered in the dying and bereaved.”

             -Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, Senior Vice President for Grief Programs, The Hospice Foundation of America

Part I. An Integrative Understanding of Death, Dying, and Grief.- 1. Death and Grief Studies.- 2. Culture in Death, Dying, and Grief.- Part II. Theories and Concepts in Death, Dying, and Grief.- 3. Loss and Grief: Concepts and Types.- 4. Grieving Process Models and Theories.- 5. Dying and End-of-Life Care.- Part III. Principles and Practices in End-of-Life and Grief Support.- 6. Competencies and Principles in End-of-Life and Grief Support.- 7. Assessments & Care Planning.- 8. Holistic Psychosocial Care Plans.- Part IV. Supporting Psychosocial Needs in End-of-Life and Grieving.- 9. Psychosocial Support for End-of-Life Transition.- 10. Psychosocial Support Tools for Grieving.- Part V. Supporting Spiritual Needs in End-of-Life and Grieving.- 11. Spiritual Support for End-of-Life and Grieving.- 12. Spiritual Care for End-of-Life Transition.- 13. Spiritual Support Tools for Grieving.- . Epilogue.

Yan Z. Ciupak, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Northern Michigan University. She developed the university’s first sociology and master of social work course on death, dying, and grief. She co-founded the Grief Support Specialist certificate program, endorsed by the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the Department of Education, the National Association for Social Workers, and other professional associations. The U.S. National Center for Institutional Diversity (NCID) awarded her the title “Diversity Scholar” in recognition of her contribution to institutional diversity. Her extensive portfolio includes national and international publications, academic presentations, media appearances, and keynote speeches. She is known for her integrative and multicultural approach to death and grief education. In addition to her academic endeavors, Dr. Ciupak is a meditation teacher and certified yoga instructor. She advocates for mindfulness-based contemplative practices to foster a holistic and compassionate culture.

Douglas C. Smith had master’s degrees in three different healthcare disciplines (M.Div., MA, MS), giving him a holistic approach to healthcare. He was a lead instructor at Northern Michigan University’s Grief Support Specialist Certificate program. Before that, he was a dynamic trainer for social workers, psychotherapists, counselors, nurses, chaplains, physicians, and other healthcare professionals in meeting the various needs of dying and grieving, training, and workshops in all fifty states and all provinces in Canada. He authored eight books on those subjects and numerous articles. He is the author of Caregiving: Hospice-Proven Techniques for Healing Body and Soul (2004 Reprint by Wiley and 1997 by Macmillan) and The Tao of Dying (1994 by Caring Publications). In addition to working for several hospices in multiple capacities throughout his career, he also had much personal experience in grieving, having lost his parents, a brother, and two daughters to death.