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.

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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

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