Resources
The holidays can feel different after losing someone you love.
The holiday season is often filled with traditions, family gatherings, and cherished memories. After the loss of a loved one, those same moments can also bring sadness, loneliness, and grief.
There is no right or wrong way to navigate the holidays.
Whether this is your first holiday after a loss or your tenth, it’s okay to celebrate, to grieve, or to do a little of both.
Our hope is that these gentle reminders help you care for yourself while honoring the person you love.
Grief Doesn't Follow a Calendar
The world often tells us the holidays should be joyful.
But grief doesn’t pause because the calendar says it’s time to celebrate.
Some days you may smile. Some days you may cry. Some days you may experience both within the same hour.
Every emotion you feel is a natural part of grief, and there is no “correct” way to move through it.
Giving yourself permission to experience the holidays in your own way is one of the greatest acts of self-compassion.
Gentle Ways to Care for Yourself
Honor Their Memory
Light a candle, prepare their favorite meal, display a cherished photograph, or continue a tradition that reminds you of the love you shared.
Give Yourself Permission to Say No
You don’t have to attend every gathering or continue every tradition. Protecting your emotional well-being is an important part of healing.
Let Others Help
Friends and family often want to support you but may not know how. Allowing others to prepare a meal, spend time with you, or simply listen can lighten the emotional weight you are carrying.
Talk About Your Loved One
Speaking their name, sharing stories, and remembering meaningful moments keeps their memory alive and often brings comfort to everyone gathered together.
Create New Traditions
As life changes, traditions can change too. Finding small new ways to celebrate doesn’t replace the person you’ve lost—it honors both your memories and your future.
Be Gentle With Yourself
Healing has no timeline. Some holidays will feel easier than others, and that’s okay. Give yourself the same patience and compassion you would offer someone you love.
Your Grief Journey
Remember
It's okay to think about the person you miss.
Honor
Celebrate their life in ways that feel meaningful to you.
Connect
Lean on family, friends, and those who care about you.
Heal
Healing doesn't mean forgetting. It means learning how to carry love and loss together.
There Is No Right Way to Grieve
Grief is deeply personal.
Some people find comfort in being surrounded by family. Others need quiet moments alone. Some continue every holiday tradition. Others create entirely new ones.
Whatever your journey looks like, know that you don’t have to compare it to anyone else’s.
Love doesn’t disappear after loss. It simply changes the way it lives in our hearts.
Helpful tip
Give yourself permission to feel.If today is difficult, that's okay. If today brings moments of joy, that's okay too. Grief and gratitude can exist together. Both are expressions of love.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to feel sad during the holidays even years later?
Yes. Special dates, traditions, and memories often bring renewed feelings of grief, even many years after a loss. There is no timeline for love or remembrance.
What if I don't feel like celebrating?
That’s okay. You don’t have to participate in every tradition or gathering. Give yourself permission to do what feels emotionally healthy for you and your family.
How can I honor someone during the holidays?
Many families light a candle, prepare a favorite recipe, display photographs, donate in their loved one’s memory, or simply spend time sharing stories that celebrate their life.
When should I seek additional support?
If grief begins to feel overwhelming or you’re finding it difficult to cope with everyday life, reaching out for additional support can be an important step. You don’t have to carry grief alone.
Love doesn't end with goodbye.
Grief is a reflection of love, and no one should have to walk through it alone.
Whether you’re looking for support today or simply someone to listen, our team is here for you.