❧ The Kritter Ridge resource shelf ❧

Resources & Recommendations

Practical starting points for grief, difficult conversations, planning ahead, and keeping family stories close.

Resources for Navigating Death, Dying, and Grief
These are websites, books, and tools that have helped me, my family, and others I love as we’ve walked through loss and planning for the end of life.
I share them here in case they can bring you the same comfort and clarity. Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them — at no additional cost to you. I only recommend things I personally trust or have found meaningful.

Kritter Ridge reading & listening shelf

On My List: Read, Watch & Listen

A growing collection of things I want to explore about grief, remembrance, funeral traditions, and the curious side of death. Most are still on my list to explore. As I listen and read, I’ll add a few personal notes alongside the links.

Comfort & grief

What’s Your Grief — articles and podcast
It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine — book and related podcast
NPR Life Kit: Going Beyond “Sorry for Your Loss” — a 21-minute podcast episode. My listening note: This one really stayed with me. It reminded me that simple check-ins, a little practical help, and sharing memories of someone who died can mean so much, even years later. Nobody needs perfect words, and this isn’t about making anyone feel guilty for not knowing what to say.

The Curious Side of Death

Some people find that understanding what happens after death makes the unknown less frightening. Others would rather skip the details. Both are okay. Content note: Some of these resources discuss human remains, cremation, and funeral procedures.

Ask a Mortician — Caitlin Doughty’s educational videos, often with dark humor
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty — memoir about work in a crematory
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach — science and darkly funny nonfiction
From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughty — death customs around the world

I’ll keep adding notes as I work through these. These are resources to explore, not endorsements of every idea or service.

Will preparation

FreeWill.com – An online will-preparation tool. Check its eligibility, instructions, and your state’s signing requirements; complex situations may need an attorney.
American Red Cross Will Tool – Partnered with FreeWill to offer secure, step-by-step will creation.
NCOA Guide: DIY Wills – An introduction to DIY wills and when professional advice may be useful.

End-of-life planning tools

National Institute on Aging Checklist – Documents to prepare for future health care and estate planning.
Compassion & Choices Toolkit – Advance planning guide with forms, conversation tips, and medical preferences.
End of Life Washington – Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Directives, and values worksheets.
Trust & Will Planning Guide – FAQs, timeline, and estate planning tools.

Grief support & bereavement

HealGrief.org – National and local grief support, virtual communities, and workshops.
My Grief Angels – Free, peer-led grief support groups and educational resources.
APA Grief Tools – Psychological support and resilience techniques for navigating grief.

Talking with loved ones

UCLA Health Tips – Planning and initiating end-of-life conversations.
California Caregiver Resource – Navigating end-of-life care and wishes.
Terri Cole’s 5 Steps – A compassionate guide to meaningful conversations.

Recommended sites & communities

These websites share a mission of bringing clarity, compassion, and transparency to death, dying, grief, and alternative burial practices. I’ve found them meaningful, and I hope they can offer you insight too.

Order of the Good Death – A collective of funeral professionals, academics, and artists promoting “death positivity” through articles, videos, and resources.
Green Burial Council – Nonprofit that certifies cemeteries, funeral homes, and products for eco‑friendly burials, with guides on sustainable practices.
Funeral Consumers Alliance – Advocacy group focused on transparency in the funeral industry, offering guides on planning, cremation, and consumer rights.
Grievers Library – A volunteer‑run project curating books and resources on grief, loss, and healing, built around community sharing.

Podcasts I’ve been exploring

Podcasts can be a powerful way to learn, reflect, and feel connected. These are shows I’ve just started exploring myself, and I’m finding them thought‑provoking and inspiring. I’ll continue adding more as I discover new voices and conversations around death, dying, grief, and living with intention.

Death in the Afternoon – Hosted by Caitlin Doughty and the Order of the Good Death team, this podcast tackles myths, history, and cultural attitudes toward death with honesty and humor.
Undertaking: The Podcast – Funeral directors Brian Waters and Ryan Ballard share candid conversations about funeral service, grief, and the evolving death industry.
End-of-Life University Podcast – Dr. Karen Wyatt interviews experts on hospice, palliative care, spirituality, and practical end‑of‑life planning.
Death Goes Digital – An earlier listening recommendation about digital legacy. A current listening link is being checked.
Death: A Changing Industry – Focuses on grief awareness and personal stories, highlighting how the death industry is evolving.

My playlists & behind-the-scenes resources

Some of us find comfort in learning more about what happens behind the scenes—whether it’s exploring eco‑friendly burial options or understanding the processes within funeral homes and cremations. Others may prefer not to dive into these details, and that’s perfectly okay.

If you feel curious, these resources can offer insight and transparency. Please note: some may contain sensitive content. Explore only if you feel ready.

The Order of the Good Death
🎧 My Spotify Playlist – A growing collection of podcasts I’ve found meaningful on death, dying, and grief.
📺 My YouTube Playlist – Videos that offer insight, education, and comfort around end‑of‑life topics.

💛 This page is an ongoing list of what I’ve found meaningful and helpful. I’ll keep adding as I discover new resources. If you know of something that’s helped you, I’d love to hear about it — you can share it with me via my email.

After a death

Family history

Immediate emotional support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: In the United States, call 988, text 988, or use online chat. If someone is in immediate physical danger, contact emergency services.

Resource note: Links are provided as general starting points. Services, eligibility, forms, and laws may vary by location and can change.

Resource suggestions are welcome at kritterridge52@gmail.com. Submissions are reviewed, and inclusion is not guaranteed.