Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief

Written by David Kessler

Narrated by David Kessler

In this groundbreaking and “poignant” (Los Angeles Times) book, David Kessler—praised for his work by Maria Shriver, Marianne Williamson, and Mother Teresa—journeys beyond the classic five stages to discover a sixth stage: meaning.

In 1969, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross first identified the stages of dying in her transformative book On Death and Dying. Decades later, she and David Kessler wrote the classic On 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.

Kessler’s 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 grief—meaning. In Finding Meaning, Kessler shares the insights, collective wisdom, and powerful tools that will help those experiencing loss.

“Beautiful, tender, and wise” (Katy Butler, author of The Art of Dying Well), Finding Meaning is “an excellent addition to grief literature that helps pave the way for steps toward healing” (School Library Journal).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Nov 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781508280057

David Kessler

David Kessler is the world’s foremost expert on grief. His experience with thousands of people on the edge of life and death has taught him the secrets to living a fulfilled life, even after life’s tragedies. He coauthored On Grief and Grieving and Life Lessons with Elizabeth Kübler-Ross and You Can Heal Your Heart: Finding Peace After a Breakup, Divorce or Death with Louise Hay. He is the author of Finding Meaning; Visions, Trips, and Crowded Rooms; and The Needs of the Dying, praised by Mother Teresa. David’s work has been featured in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Business Week, and Life Magazine, and on CNN, Fox, NBC, PBS, and CBS. David has served on the Red Cross Aviation Disaster Team and has volunteered for decades as a Los Angeles Police Department Specialist Reserve Officer. He lectures for physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders and leads talks and retreats for those dealing with grief.

Reviews for Finding Meaning

[Solène Delille Roudaut · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely amazing, raw, authentic, full of hope and truly inspirational.

[Anica Scanlan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So many wonderful thing to think about and realize within!

[Meg Rice · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Having just held our mom's Going Home Celebration, after a year and a half of waiting for family to be able to gather, this book was the right book at the right time. Journeying through grief in the time of Covid 19 and now the Delta variant, has been disorienting compared to past family deaths.

Kessler's book assured me as to steps I've already taken. He provided numerous stories of other folks' grief journeys, some of which resonated with past deaths which I thought I had completely grieved. His words freed up old feelings, provided permission and validation for those feelings; thereby healing. I found this book extremely helpful at this point in time and have thought of a number of friends to whom I wish to give it.

[Connie Remetch · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author’s 1,000s of hours of experience, and his empathy & insights. But above all, that he brought me along to a deeper knowing that I’m not leaving my recently departed husband as I continue to embrace life & a worthwhile future. I’m leaving only the life I used to have.

[mm_jones · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In today's society, grief has been "minimized and sanitized ". David Kessler, in this his sixth book, attempts to lead people to seek meaning in grief and to live their lives to the fullest. His examples could lead people to become more sensitive in witnessing other's grief.