How To Deal With Grief During The Holidays

By: Alterna Cremation
Monday, December 14, 2020

There is no easy time to deal with the loss of a loved one, but during the holidays, it tends to be more difficult. It’s a season we spend with our families and friends as we celebrate the year, exchange gifts, and share meals. For many people, the holidays are something to look forward to, but someone dealing with grief may feel differently. When we grieve, we experience symptoms like depression, difficulty sleeping, and a lack of appetite. This makes it challenging to enjoy the holidays. We’ve listed a few strategies that will help you cope during this season’s festivities:

 

Make a Toast

Sometimes, it’s best to acknowledge the loss that everyone is feeling and bring it out into the open. Pretending that the pain isn’t there won’t make it go away. Have a toast in honour of the deceased; talk about what they meant to you and your family, share fond memories, and accept support from your loved ones. Other alternatives are saving a seat at the table for your loved one or lighting a candle in their memory. Gestures like these can help both you and your family heal. 

 

Be Kind to Yourself

You can expect that tears will flow during the holiday season. Let them. Give yourself the time and space to feel what you’re feeling. If the holiday traditions aren’t working for you, change them. Setting up the decorations may feel disingenuous to you, so skip it altogether this year. Try volunteering your time instead of seeing family if that’s too difficult; you can help out in a soup kitchen or deliver presents to those in need. You may find that helping others will also help you.

 

Seek Counselling

This may be the first year without your loved one, or perhaps the grief resurfaces whenever the holidays arrive. Either way, you can anticipate that this season will be a challenging one for you. To help you cope with grief, you can arrange to meet with a counsellor or therapist to discuss your feelings. When you need support, there is no shame in calling up a long-time friend to talk about your grief. What you’re feeling is completely normal and understandable; some people can help you deal with the challenges of grief. Don’t be afraid to seek help when you need it.

 

Practice Self-Care

It’s always important to look after yourself, but when you’re experiencing bereavement, it becomes even more imperative. Show yourself kindness and understanding during this time. There is no “normal” way to experience grief, and events like the holidays can make your symptoms worse. Light exercise like yoga, walking, or indoor swimming can provide a healthy distraction. Many people find it helpful to keep a grief journal and talk about their everyday experiences and thoughts. 

 

It’s incredibly difficult to lose a loved one during the holidays. You are reminded of all the dinners and festivities that they will no longer be a part of. But you can honour their memory by commemorating their life, supporting your family, and taking care of yourself. When you lose a loved one, you may be looking for a crematorium in Winnipeg. Alterna Cremation offers a direct cremation service along with a beautiful selection of urns to choose from. To learn more about our services, give us a call.

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

10 Things To Know About Direct Cremation

When you’re deciding between a traditional funeral and a memorial service after a cremation, there are a lot of factors to consider. To help you make your decision, here are 10 things you should kn...

Transcona Neighbourhood Cremation Services

The loss of a loved one is one of life’s most difficult and painful experiences.  There are simply no words that can express the feelings of grief or the sense of overwhelm that often accompan...

Cremation Myths Debunked: Separating Fact From Fiction

In our modern society, we tend to shy away from the topics of death and dying. It's not common to openly discuss the details and customs associated with funeral and disposition services, which is w...

Woman-Owned & Operated Winnipeg Alternative Funeral Home Passes Five-Year Milestone

WINNIPEG, MB:  Alterna Cremation, an independent alternative funeral home located at 2495 Henderson Highway, passed its five-year anniversary serving the Winnipeg community earlier this fall.&...

What Documentation Is Required When Arranging A Cremation?

When a death occurs, legal paperwork is likely to be the furthest thing from your mind. But the fact is that, as with all major life cycle events, deaths must be properly documented and registered....

How To Select The Best Cremation Service Company

Amid the tremendous grief that accompanies the passing of a loved one, a multitude of tasks and final arrangements must also be completed. For many families, choosing a cremation service provider i...

Cremation & Estate Planning: Ensuring Your Wishes Are Honoured

It's common to avoid or put off dedicating time to the planning of end-of-life wishes. But, in truth, the process can be deeply meaningful and offer unexpected peace of mind when approached with ca...

Pre-Planning Cremation: Why It Makes Sense For Your Family

Thinking about cremation might not be the most pleasant thing in the world, but it’s well worth the potential discomfort. By pre-planning your cremation, you can reduce stress, save money, and ensu...

Aftercare Services: The Support Continues After Cremation

When a loved one passes, there is so much to deal with, from grief to legalities. Assistance in helping you process your loss shouldn't stop after cremation.  Here are a few ways that we can ...

Environmental Considerations: How Cremation Reduces Carbon Footprint

As you put your end-of-life wishes in order or make arrangements for the funeral of a loved one, there are countless decisions to make. One of the most pivotal is whether to choose burial or cremat...