Coping with Grief During the Holidays

Losing a close family member can be hard to accept. Grief and sorrow can be overwhelming after someone passes, and those feelings often creep up around the holidays. The holiday season for many people is about getting together with family, but that can be hard after the passing of a loved one. The first year of holidays are often the most difficult, but grief can be felt at any time. Coping with grief may require some effort, but it is important to find a method that best suits your family. The first step in coping with grief is accepting and acknowledging that the holidays are going to be different without your love one.

Traditions

When a loved one passes, most families do not think about the traditions that they had helped with. What will Christmas be without Grandma’s cookies? Who will carve the Thanksgiving turkey? How will we make sure the tree looks perfect for the photos? Traditions, eventually change. A family must decide what traditions they will continue, and which ones must alter. Maybe you won’t sing carols together. Maybe someone new will take over responsibility for that special dish, or even replace it. Your family as a whole should figure out how your traditions may change.
You may even want to create a new tradition in memory of them. Some families light candles, others lay a wreath or grave blanket at the cemetery. Beginning anew is a big part of the holidays, and life. New traditions can help us to accept loss and keep memories alive.

Location

After the loss of a beloved family member, you may want to (or need to) change the home that you gather with the family. It can be a big shake-up to a family’s holiday traditions to change the venue; but sometimes it can help everyone come to terms with the loss. 

Coming Together

These plans and changes shouldn’t come from one place. Instead, get together or communicate with other family members that you spend the holidays with. Everyone grieves and experiences sorrow in different ways. Open communication is a great way to start healing, and finding the best solutions to coping during the holidays.
For almost 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.