Grief and the Approaching Holidays

By: Matthew Funeral Home
Wednesday, December 19, 2018


Grief often strikes at inopportune times. The holiday season can be difficult after the loss of a loved one; because they are often the times we feel the void left by them. Most people surround themselves with family during the holidays, and having an empty seat at the table can be painful during such normally happy times. 

It is OK to Grieve on the Holidays

Some people often feel shameful for grieving during the holidays. Often, people feel that they need permission to grieve. But grief is a necessary part of the healing process. You need to go through it in order to heal. You should talk with your loved ones openly about your need to grieve. If you are uncomfortable having that conversation with everyone; try talking privately to a few of your family members about it.

Talk About Them

Some families will try to avoid bringing up your lost loved one. But your family should share memories and stories about them. It can bring the family closer together. Enjoy your time together, and reminisce about the good times with them.

Keeping Traditions Alive

Traditions in family gatherings are often tied to the loved ones who created or headed them. After the passing of a loved one, your family should decide whether or not to keep their traditions alive. It can be cathartic to pass the torch of certain traditions down. You are not replacing your loved one with another family member. You are keeping their legacy alive. 

Making the Same Dishes

As much as she tried to teach us how to cook; we all know we can’t replicate grandma’s cooking. But we can keep the spirit of the holidays up by recreating a loved one’s dishes to the best of our abilities. Just like passing on family traditions, holiday meals are just as, if not more, important. Looking through their cookbooks or old recipe cards can help you make the dishes similarly to them.
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. 

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Interfaith Services at a Wake

New York is a melting pot of different cultures, backgrounds, and religions. For various reasons, some families opt to go with an interfaith ceremony during their wake. This is common with people w...

What Does a Funeral Director Do?

After a loved one passes and you choose a funeral home, your family sits down with a funeral director. It is the funeral director’s job to help coordinate the many aspects of your loved one’s servi...

What to do With Your Loved One's Ashes

After your loved one is cremated, there may be a question of what to do with the remains. There are a number of options available to you and your family. In this article, we will explore options fo...

Burial Plots - What to Consider When Buying

Buying a burial plot is an important part of planning for your final wishes. There are a number of factors to consider when deciding to purchase a plot, or plots, in a cemetery. This article will e...

Is Grief Actually Good for You?

Grief can feel as though a great weight rests on our shoulders. Grieving can be a challenging experience. Although grief is brought upon us by loss and sorrow, is it a bad thing? Grief is an emotio...

Senior Isolation After a Spouse Passes

After the loss of an elderly loved one, their spouse can be left feeling isolated and depressed. After spending a long life with a loving partner, losing a spouse can be like losing a part of onese...

The Difference Between Grief and Mourning

When someone loses a loved one, the words “grief” and “mourning” are often used to describe their experiences. But what are the differences between the two? In this article, we will discuss grief, ...

Father's Day Memorials

After the loss of your dad, Father’s Day can take on a different feeling for you. It may seem more solemn without your father there. But there are still ways to celebrate your dad and memorialize t...

Timeline For a Funeral Service

When a loved one passes, when do you have the funeral? How long after someone passes should you have a service? This article will discuss approximate timelines for families when a loved one passes....

Anniversary Memorial Services

Grief doesn’t end after the funeral. For many, it is something they carry for a long time. Many instances can trigger feelings of grief and loss, birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries. Missing som...