Description

Renegade Grief opens the door to a powerful and deeply personal exploration of grieving rituals and care practices, from creating altars and heartfelt dinner gatherings, to adventures in Dungeons & Dragons. In modern culture, grievers often face pressure to simply “move on” with time. This book offers another perspective—one that empowers you to actively and creatively engage with your grief, at your own pace.

When you lose someone, support tends to come quickly. Calls, condolences, and care packages flood your life initially; yet, once the services conclude and the phone stops ringing, grieving can become an isolating journey. You’re left navigating a profound loss alone, unsure where to turn or what’s expected. Renegade Grief speaks directly to that stage, offering compassionate support and meaningful insights into finding your way forward.

Inspired by author Carla Fernandez’s personal experience losing her father and cofounding The Dinner Party, a widely recognized peer-support community for individuals who have suffered significant loss, this book boldly challenges a culture that encourages avoidance or quick recovery from grief. Carla’s 15 years of witnessing others navigate loss have taught her that grieving shouldn’t be minimized, hidden away, or hurried past. Instead, she helps readers embrace it openly and creatively, supported by caring friends, meaningful rituals, and personal insight.

Blending powerful storytelling of real individuals navigating loss, compelling historical contexts, and cutting-edge science, Renegade Grief empowers readers to grieve authentically. Carla’s candid, compassionate voice offers reassurance that you’re not alone—and permission to explore grief according to your own truths and needs.

An essential guide for anyone experiencing grief, this book demonstrates that life after loss isn’t about “getting over it,” but about cultivating real community, adjusting to ongoing changes, and allowing grief to become an invitation to a deeper, richer, and more authentic life.