More Than a Parting Prayer: Lessons in Care-Giving for the Dying

William Griffith allows us to follow him on his own journey of helping those that have to face the experience of death and loss. He offers insight to those of any faith so they can learn to deal with the difficulty of letting loved ones go. Anyone that has had to deal with a loved one's death (and that's all of us) can definitely benefit from reading this compact book full of inspirational stories.

William Griffith's excellent book "More Than a Parting Prayer" delivers 100% of what it's sub-title declares: "lessons in care-giving for the dying." As a pastor I am constantly looking for helpful materials for church members serving on our Care Team. The value of this book is that any one of the 28 chapters can be reviewed at any time as part of a valuable continuing education for those who choose a ministry of presence with those who are dying. Furthermore, even if you chose to ignore the author's personal ministry experiences (which I do not recommend), the format of concluding each brief chapter with a couple of paragraphs of "Lessons for Caregivers" is well worth the price of the book. I highly recommend this book to my clergy colleagues. But pastors will quickly discover that these succinct mini-lessons can and must be put into the hands of lay people.

Let's face it, any of us over the age of 40 will soon have to confront the issues of death and dying with friends and family, presuming we haven't already done so. William Griffith has done a wonderful job of providing practical examples in his book "More than a parting prayer, lessons in care giving for the dying." His book, drawn from real life experiences as he provided care to the dying and their families as a pastor, is must reading. If you don't know what to say to a dying friend, or a member of their family, this book has the answers.

The subtitle for MORE THAN A PARTING PRAYER suggests that this book was written for caregivers for the dying. Indeed, the book's format and the thoughtful commentary on each case make it a must for every caregiver's personal library. But the stories William Griffith shares on these pages stand alone and will do much to strengthen the faith of any reader. Far from being sad tales of dying, these personal experiences of a pastoral counselor for a regional hospice organization are a source of comfort, hope and inspiration. Most of us will mourn for loved ones and go through periods of grief in our lives; this book has the potential for making those times more bearable. Griffith says that one of the most difficult situations facing caregivers is caring for a family when a child is dying. "A tear is not very large, but when it falls down the cheek of a caregiver and drops onto the shirt of a grieving father, it is a Niagara Falls of support." Though less than 200 pages, this little book may be a shelf full of good feelings, a publication you may have trouble setting aside once you've started it.

Bill Griffith has given us an open window into the spiritual needs of those who are dying, and those who are caring for the dying. Through warm, poignant stories, sometimes sad, sometimes triumphant, Bill addresses issues such as the power of hope, the healing in confession, prayer, and dealing with emotional and spiritual pain. An Appendix provides questions for further reflection, and will be useful for caregivers' support groups and those preparing for hospice service. Families of the dying will gain insight into the process their loved one experiences as she or he prepares for death. Though Rev. Griffith is an American Baptist minister, he sensitively writes about ministering to people of other faiths and no faith. This is must reading for hospice workers, chaplains, ministers, seminary students, and all who are interested in spiritual growth and comfort for those who are nearing the end of their lives.