Unless forced by circumstances, people in modern societies go to great lengths todeny death, to the extent that even death of a loved one from natural causes tendsto catch us unprepared and unable to cope with its consequences. Death as theresult of a sudden, catastrophic event (traffic accident, suicide, a natural disaster,ect.) can have even more extreme effects, sometimes striking survivors so violentlyand painfully that it leaves an indelible mark.This book speaks about the consequences of such traumatic deaths in a wonderfullysimple and straightforward way. The authors describe, step by step, what happensto people after the sudden death of a family member or close friend, the difficultiesthey face in coping, and how professionals and volunteers can help. With theirwide experience, both personally and as internationally renowned authorities, theyhave written a book for professionals and volunteers who deal with bereavementin language that is accessible to all, so it will also help those who have suffereda traumatic loss themselves to understand what to expect and how to get help.