When a loved one is dying or has died, it is an emotionally trying time, a time of grief.  Grief is a part of living.  It is a our response to the loss of someone we love.  Grief is a journey, it has a beginning and an end. The beginning is the loss of a love one.  The end is when we accept the loss and learn to live with the loss.  In between the beginning and the end is where we struggle to come to grips with the loss.  The stress of the grieving process takes a toll on us physically, emotionally and spiritually.  The grief process varies from one person to another.  It can be very debilitating.  It can be a struggle to just get through the day.  There will be many up and down moments, you may feel your life is like a roller coaster.  There is no time table for the length of the grieving process, it varies from one person to another.  But like any journey, there is an end when you can accept the loss and live with it. 

Remember there is a God who loves you, loved you enough to let His only Son die for you!  There is a Son who loves you enough, who died for you.  He is there to get you through your journey of grief.  He is never more than a prayer away.  He will give you the strength to get through your grief.  When you stumble, He will catch you in His loving arms. If you fall He will cushion your fall and and set you down gently.  When you are unable to walk, He will left you up and carry you.  While He is carrying you, He will strengthen you.  When you have regained enough strength to walk on your own, He will set you down gently on your two feet so you can start walking again.  He is always at your side if you need Him!  When you need Him, He is there!  He is never more than a prayer away!

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.   Isaiah 40: 29-31    (NIV)

Below are some websites dealing with death, dying and grief you may find helpful.

Christian

• about.com - Christian Views on Death & Afterlife:
• about.com - Christian Testimonies About Loss and Dying
• Christian Bereavement.com: helpful articles, videos, website links, and books that will support you on your grief journey.
• ChristianForums.com: Grief Support
• Christian Memorials - Grief Resources
• christianaitytoday.com - Death & Dying:
• Focus on the Family - Coping With Death and Grief
• grieflossrecovery.com: Good site for articles and poems on grief.
• griefsjourney.com: Focus on Widows and Widowers. Includes sections on financial issues, educational issues and children's
  issues, a chat site and a discussion bulletin board.
• griefshare.org:  Local grief recovery support groups in the US and other countries.
• Hope Christian Counseling & Retreat Ministries: Coping With Grief And Loss.
• inspirationalstories.com - Death & Dying:  Inspirational story and poem collection about death, dying, and grievance.
• Rainbow Faith: Large collection of poems and stories dealing with grief.
• Web Healing: Interactive Christian grief site.

Secular

• Caring Connections - Grieving a loss
• Coping with Grief and Loss: HelpGuide.org.  Excellent guide for dealing with grief and loss.
• Coping with Loss: Practical advice on coping with the loss of a loved one from an attorney.
• forums.grieving.com: Online Grief Support, help for Coping with Loss.
• Grief and Loss Counselling Online:  Offers comfort and support to everyone free of fees and charges. Chats and message boards.
• griefnet.org:  An Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death, and major loss.
• MEDLINEplus - Death and Dying:
• psychology.org - Encyclopedia of Psychology - Death & Dying:
• Share Grief: Provides on-line grief support, education and resources via email to the bereaved from all over the world.
• The Cope Foundation: A grief and healing organization dedicated to helping parents and families living with the loss of a child.