Coping with the Loss of a Loved One During the Holidays

The Christmas cheer that once filled the family home may not be there this year because of the loss of a family member. Mourning families may thus not be able to enjoy the holidays, because they feel like a large part of them is missing. At Arbutus Funeral Service, we understand the importance of family traditions surrounding the holidays and how this can affect a family when a loved one passes.

Holidays can be a tough time for bereaved families because it brings back memories or their beloved family member. Sometimes, it may not be a memory but a tradition or event associated with the joy of the Christmas holidays and traditions are cut short by the news of the death of a loved one. We wish there was a simple remedy for the heartache experienced by those who are bereaved in a time of the year when joy, but there isn’t a timeline or steps that each person must follow, its a mourning process that is unique and different to each person. However, in this article we will take a look at the mourning process through the holidays and how we can help you through it.

The Impact Death Has On Families during Holidays

Death is never an easy event for people to deal with; it is often devastating for close family and friends. The bereaved in the family unit, be it the parents or children, are left with heavy hearts and each deals differently with their loss. We have been in the funeral service industry for several years, and we have seen the impact the loss of loved one during the holidays has on grieving families.

Christmas is the biggest holiday season and one where families come together to celebrate life and love. However one major question we receive is how does one enjoy the holiday season when a close family member is not alive to be part of it when they previously held such a vital role. The countless emotions that come back during such holidays may have a huge impact on the mourning family as a unit such as anger, denial, sadness, and regret are such some of the personal issues that each member of the family battles as the traditions observed during the Christmas holidays bring back the memories of their loved one.

How to Cope with the Death of a Loved One This Christmas

Through the many years within this business, the one thing that we have discovered about mourning is that it gets easier to cope with if the family comes together as a support system and works through the heartache together. Christmas is a time when families have many unique traditions, continue with those traditions and but rely on those closest to you to help you through, and celebrate the life of the passed member.

The family should continue their family gatherings and embrace their Christmas traditions as they normally would, but include anyone that may also be affected by your lose. You are allowed to be upset, to cry and feel angered towards your lose but use these holidays to help you move forward. Use this holidays as a time to celebrate life and love shared among those who are present while remembering those who have passed.

We Are Here for You

We at Arbutus Funeral Service are here to help you through the process of grief. Feel free to contact us and let us help you find ways to cope with the loss of a loved one during this Christmas holiday.