When Suren Shrestha’s beloved father passed away, he and his family returned to Nepal to honor him according to the sacred Newar traditions of their people. What unfolded was not only a farewell, but a luminous journey- one that revealed how grief, when guided by ritual and love, can become a path toward healing, connection, and even joy.

How Grief Becomes Light is at once a memoir and a guide. Suren and Ruby Shrestha weave intimate storytelling with practical guidance for mourners with warmth, humor, and tenderness. After each chapter, readers will find simple, meaningful practices- rituals for cherishing final moments, parting with the body, tending the soul’s journey, planting seeds of remembrance, and even preparing for one’s own beautiful passage.

For anyone navigating loss, this book offers a companion full of timeless wisdom and tender encouragement: a way to walk with grief until it becomes light.