Hospice of Santa Barbara will be celebrating 51 years of compassionate care, and honoring community heroes at its 13th Annual Heroes of Hospice luncheon, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 at Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort, 1759 S. Jameson Lane, Montecito.

Keynote speaker for the event will be David Kessler, best-selling author and foremost expert on death and grief. Among other topics, Kessler will address his unique experience with children in grief, the focus of this year’s luncheon.

“Children are often the forgotten grievers, together we remember them,” said Kessler, noting the importance of supporting grieving children.

The luncheon will once again have a focus on Celebrating Those We Love, remembering the legacy of loved ones who have passed away and their continued impact on our lives.

Kessler’s 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 after life’s tragedies.

He is the author of six books, including the bestselling “Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief.” His books and work have received praise from many, including Saint (Mother) Teresa.

Kessler’s personal experience as a child witnessing a mass shooting while his mother was dying in a hospital helped him begin his journey.

He has taught physicians, nurses, counselors, police, and first responders about the end of life, trauma, and grief. Kessler facilitates talks, workshops and retreats for those experiencing grief.

Despite his vast knowledge on grief, Kessler’s life was turned upside down by the sudden death of his 21-year-old son, which inspired his book “Finding Meaning.”

Kessler’s volunteer work includes serving as an LAPD specialist reserve for traumatic events, and on the Red Cross’s disaster services team.

He is the chief empathy officer of Empathy, an HR product offered to employees facing loss and grief. He is also the founder of www.grief.com, which receives 5 million visits yearly from 167 countries.

“We’ve sanitized grief and loss and death in our world,” said Kessler. “We prepare for everything except grief. I always tell people, you know, our tendency is to run from grief, because it’s the pain we want to run from. But what we run from pursues us, and what we face transforms us.”

For more information and tickets, visit hospiceofsb.org/heroes.