I’ll have to read this book.
I was widowed at 39 with three young children, ages 3, 10 and 12. I can say that each person’s experience of widowhood is very unique to that individual. The unique aspects of each particular situation are extremely important, although there are common issues in all situations.
One common result of widowhood, especially in young widowhood is the great “Why?” question. If that question is answered in a theologically offensive or insensitive way, faith can easily be destroyed. I have personally witnessed this on several occasions.
This issue desperately need pastoral planning. Approximately half of all persons in a long term marriage will be widowed at some time in their life. (Widow humor, there!)
Of course, I am not technically a widow.
I am a widower.

I will get this book. For years, I don’t think I really understood what these people went through after their spouses die. Then, I witnessed what happened to my mother-in-law. Not only did she lose her husband but their friends began to pull away. No more invitations to meals, etc. Glad to hear about this book.

I look forward to getting to this book. One thing that reopened my eyes recently is that spiritually speaking, single mothers are widows. That is not always P.C., but when I understood that my eyes were opened up to just how many widows there are out there.

We need to do a better job of visiting the widows and orphans in their affliction. All too often this has become the pastor’s job.

Brian is right.
It turned out that my parish had an active “bereavement ministry” at the time of my wife’s death. The ministry was notified and tracked each widowed person for at least a year a level comfortable to that person. Each new widow was assigned a “mentor” who had been widowed for a few years. “tracking” would include weekly home visits or telephone calls at the individuals comfort level.
The first year after widowhood is a series of anniversaries. You have the first post-widowhood Easter, the first Thanksgiving, the the first birthdays, the first wedding anniversary, and finally the first anniversary of the spouse’s death. The mentor could assist with these difficult milestones, each with its own theological implications.
There were also monthly potlucks and social gatherings designed solely to deal with the social losses. Again, all in attendance were widowed or bereavement ministers. At these gatherings, people could learn to feel joy again at their own pace and they could exchange useful information on matters such life insurance and social security benefits. Individuals could also be advised when professional psychological counseling or medication appeared to be warranted.
I can’t over-emphasize how important this ministry was to me personally.

I am in charge of the singles ministry at my church. It is surprising to me that widows don’t feel single. I found this site in looking for ways to minister to widows and also divorced people. I intend to buy this book. Does anyone have other suggestions that might be helpful.