Biography

David Kessler is the world’s foremost expert on grief and loss. His experience with thousands of people on the edge of life and death has taught him the secrets to living a happy and fulfilled life, even afterlife’s tragedies. He is the author of six books, including the new bestselling book, Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. He coauthored two books with Elisabeth Kubler Ross, including On Grief and Grieving. His first book, The Needs of The Dying, received praise from Saint (Mother) Teresa.

David’s personal experience as a child witnessing a mass shooting while his mother was dying in a hospital helped him begin his journey. For most of his life, David has taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about the end of life, trauma, and grief. He facilitates talks, workshops and retreats for those experiencing grief. However, despite his vast knowledge on grief, his life was turned upside down by the sudden death of his twenty-one-year-old son. It inspired him to write his newest book, Finding Meaning.

He has helped thousands of men, women and children face life and death with peace, dignity and courage. His experiences have taken him from Auschwitz concentration camp to Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying Destitute in Calcutta. His services have been used by Elizabeth Taylor, Jamie Lee Curtis and Marianne Williamson when their loved ones faced life-challenging illnesses. He also worked with Anthony Perkins, Michael Landon and industrialist Armand Hammer when they faced their own deaths.

David’s volunteer work includes being an LAPD Specialist Reserve for traumatic events as well as having served on the Red Cross’s disaster services team. He worked for over a decade in a three-hospital system. He was trained for bio-terrorists’ events, as well as epidemics/pandemics. He is the founder of www.grief.com which has over five million visits yearly from 167 countries.

Read More

Videos

David Kessler on why we have become so fearful of death & the importance of grief

"We Are Grieving the World We Have Now Lost" Says a Grief Expert | Amanpour and Company

Request Availability

Testimonials

The impact David had on our employees continues. Many teams have had continued conversations and have opened up a conversation about wellbeing and how we can support each other during these times.
– General Mills

Booksby David Kessler

Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief

Healing Grief Card Deck: 55 Practices to Find Peace – David Kessler

Visions, Trips, and Crowded Rooms: Who and What You See Before You Die

You Can Heal Your Heart: Finding Peace After a Breakup, Divorce, or Death – Louise Hay & David Kessler

Life Lessons – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross & David Kessler

On Grief and Grieving – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s & David Kessler, with an introduction by Maria Shriver

The Needs of The Dying – David Kessler

For Meeting Planners

Blog Posts

Fear Is Your GPS, and Michelle Poler Shows You How to Follow It

Keynote speaker Michelle Poler shares how to navigate fear, take brave action, and build authentic brands in this episode of The Keynote Curators Podcast

Read More

Women’s History Month Keynote Speakers Who Change What Happens Next in 2026

Women's History Month demands more than applause; discover keynote speakers who create recognition that drives real change.

Read More

Keynote Speakers Who Tell Great Stories Get Booked More in 2026

Keynote speakers need more than craft to get booked. Learn the mindset shift that builds sustainable speaking careers.

Read More

Happiness at Work Is the Performance Strategy You Need, with Jessica Weiss

Happiness at work is a performance strategy, not a perk. Learn how Jessica Weiss helps teams build real, sustainable happiness.

Read More

Emotional Intelligence Skills That Hold Up Under Pressure

Emotional intelligence is more than a buzzword. Here's what real EQ looks like under pressure, and the keynote speaking voices building it on stages in 2026.

Read More

Confidence Without Vulnerability Creates Teams That Never Improve

Learn how confidence and vulnerability coexist in high-performing teams from decorated Navy fighter pilot Jack Becker's proven debrief strategies.

Read More

Related Inspirational & Motivational Speakers

Get in TouchContact US

Fill out the form so we can best understand your needs.

A representative from The Keynote Curators will reach out to you.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Fill out the form so we can best understand your needs.
    A representative from The Keynote Curators will reach out to you.

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form