Westchester Funeral Home

Grieving During the Holidays

Our dedicated team at Westchester Funeral Home is committed to providing not only exceptional funeral services but also ongoing support to our community.

Bright lights, cheerful singing, tasty treats and so much more are all a part of what makes the holidays such as special time of year. For many, it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time for family and friends to come together, exchange gifts, and look forward for what’s to come in the new year. 

However, for those who are grieving, the holidays might seem anything but joyous or hopeful. There are many traditions and rituals that families look forward to each year. But when your loved one is no longer there to enjoy them with you, it can make it hard to feel like celebrating. Regardless of when your loved one passed away, this time of year is often when it’s felt the most.

If you have recently experienced the loss of a loved one, here are a few suggestions for ways to cope during the holidays. If you want even more ideas, make sure to check out the grief support section of our website for more helpful resources.

Let Your Feelings Guide You

Many people who are grieving find that the anticipation and build up to an event is typically worse than the actual event itself. In most cases, this is because when you’re grieving, your feelings and emotions can change hour-to-hour or day-to-day with no explanation. It’s important to make sure you let yourself experience these emotions without judgement. If you wake up on the day of a holiday party and just want to stay in bed; do it! Stop thinking that you’re obligated to do something or you’ll feel guilty. Let your feelings guide you. If you do make plans to go out, create an exit plan just in case. Maybe you drive yourself but abstain from alcohol while you’re there. Or, go with a friend that will be willing to leave early if you become too overwhelmed.

Create A New Holiday Tradition

As we’ve mentioned, the holidays are filled with many traditions and customs. With your loved one gone, you might find that certain traditions just don’t seem right anymore. Don’t be afraid to talk to your family and create new traditions. Here’s a few examples of different traditions you can start to pay tribute to your loved one. 
  • Hang their stocking and fill it with letters from family and friends.
  • Create a special ornament for the tree in honor of your loved one.
  • Turn your Christmas wreath into a memorial wreath with photos and personal mementos of your loved one.
  • Create a journal where each family member writes down their favorite holiday memory of the deceased.
  • Organize a candlelight ceremony for friends and family to share holiday memories.

Spoil Yourself

What’s something you’ve always wanted to do? Take a trip somewhere? Enroll in a cooking class? Maybe just enjoy a day at the spa. Whatever it is, spoil yourself this year. Is it going to help make grieving easier? Likely not. But, it will help you feel a little bit better during this difficult time. Sometimes when you’re grieving, you just need to do something for you. So this year, make sure to spoil yourself a little bit.

Do Something Nice For Others

It might sound selfish, but when you do something nice for others, it often makes you feel better. The holidays are a time for giving, so this year do something to help the less fortunate. There are so many ways to get involved with your community, all you have to do is look. From serving food at a shelter to donating your loved one’s old winter clothes; there are a countless number of ways to help others. If you want to pay tribute your loved one, make a donation in their name for a cause they would’ve supported. Simple gestures like this can mean so much to others and even help spark a little bit of joy in yourself.
Deal with Grief during Holidays

Call Us For Personalized Support

Remember, you are not alone in your grief. Call us today and gain valuable insights to help you find solace and healing during the holiday season and beyond. If you have any questions or need further assistance, our compassionate staff is just a phone call away.

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