Grief Healing: Coping with The Holidays: Suggested Resources 2017

[Most recent update: June 10, 2018]

Coping with loss is even harder during the holidays. What used to be a festive time of decorations and parties — laughter and togetherness — now seems meaningless. We’re paralyzed by the thought of shopping and socializing. How can we continue old traditions like nothing has changed? Because everything has changed . . . ~ Lynn Sue Cooney

In my daily travels around the Internet, I am always on the lookout for helpful articles and reliable resources that I can recommend and share with my readers. This is especially important during the holiday season, which for many mourners and caregivers can be a difficult and challenging time.

Below are links to articles and resources I’ve gathered so far this year, which I hope you will find informative and useful. Over the next several weeks I’ll be building upon this list, so I encourage you to check back often to see what’s been added.

As always, if you've found something especially helpful that isn't listed here, please feel free to add it in the Comments section below.

How Can You Help a Grieving Friend During the Holidays? by Megan Devine

Tips and Tools for Keeping The Holidays Peaceful for the Kids by Azmaira Maker, PhD

New Year's Resolution: Treat Yourself with Kindness - free Webinar from Open to Hope

Ten Ways to Kindle Light in the Cold Dark Season by Elaine Mansfield

The Meaning of a New Year's Day When You're Terminally Ill by Kathleen Clohessy

When The New Year Can't Be Happy by Megan Devine

Grieving? 5 Resolutions to Make the New Year Happier by Kristi Hugstad

Resolve to Be There Beyond the Holidays from Option B

Afterwords to Christmas Grief by Joan Hitchens

Every Light Shines in Darkness by Lynda Cheldelin Fell

All Is Calm, All Is Bright by Staci Leigh

How Are You Holding Up? by Megan Devine

The 12 Days of Holiday Grief from Grief Compass

Grieving for a Husband/Father During the Holidays by Dr. Robert Neimeyer

Holiday Grief Relief Tip: It's Not All or Nothing by Chelsea Hanson

Give This Letter to the People Who Invite You Over During the Holidays by Christina Rasmussen

Four Easy, Last-Minute Ideas for Memorializing Loved Ones This Holiday Season from What's Your Grief?

Resources for the Holidays from The Gratefulness Team

7 Things Never to Say to a Widow at Christmas... and 5 You Should by Donna Freydkin

Coping with Grief and Loss During the Holiday Season by Jen O'Ryan

More Help for the Holiday Season by Megan Devine

Dying Around the Holidays by Tani Bahti

How Can You Help A Grieving Friend During The Holidays? by Brittany Bilyieu and Megan Devine

Happy Hellidays by Gabe Easter

Wherever You Are, It's Okay by Kelley Lynn

The Holiday Army by Andrea Gambill

Our Christmas Décor Became a Metaphor for My Grief by Sally Vallely

Coping with Grief During The Holidays via Fox 10 News

Reducing Holiday Stress Open to Hope via YouTube

You're a Mean One... by Mike Welker

The 12 Nights of Kindness and Instructions and Principles by Lynda Cheldelin Fell

What I've Learned Navigating Grief During The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Jessica Weinberger

12 Ways to Survive Holiday Grief by Louise Stanger

'Tis The Season by Donna Rothert

An Anchor for Your Heart: Surviving the Holiday Season by Megan Devine

Sending Holiday Cards After a Death: The Great Debate from What's Your Grief?

Coping with Grief During Special Occasions by Sandra Wolf

Wishing The Holidays Would Go Away: Tips for Coping by Mary Joye

Finding Hope During The Holidays: Tips and Advice Open to Hope via YouTube

Managing Your Grief This Holiday Season by Julie K. Jones

Remembering the LIFE not the LOSS this Holiday Season by Rachel Blythe Kodanaz

What I've Learned in the 19 Christmases Since My Husband Died by Katie Couric

Be There for Others This Holiday Season from Option B

Grief and The Holidays by Mark Liebenow

Coping with Grief During The Holiday Season by Terri Daniel

Tips for Managing Grief Over the Holidays by Dave Roberts

Ben Can't Be Bought Online by Wendy Saint-Onge

Remembering Deceased Loved Ones During the Holidays from Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care

Mourning in The Holidays -- How to Help Grieving Friends by Teresa TL Bruce

Loss of Connection Does Not Mean Loss of Love by Christina Rasmussen

Seven Holiday Gifts for Someone Who Is Grieving by Marissa Abruzzini

Tips for Overcoming Holiday Grief by Phoebe Ochman

Balancing Holiday Traditions After the Death of a Loved One by Janna Benson Kontz

Thanksgiving Prayer from Mark Liebenow

Grief at Thanksgiving: Gratitude with a Grain of Salt from What's Your Grief?

Pet Loss and The Holidays: Four Things to Consider When Grieving During the Holidays by Teresa Wagner

Holiday Healing Tips by Annah Elizabeth

Revisiting The "First" Thanksgiving by Sarah Treanor

4 Tips for Coping with Bereavement at Christmas from Cruse Bereavement Care

Can't We Skip the Holidays? by Gary Roe

How Can I Be Grateful In The Face of So Much Pain? by Annah Elizabeth

How to Comfort Those in Grief During the Season of Joy by Anne M. Mozingo

Grateful While Grieving by Debbie Rambis

Tips for Getting Through The Holidays When You're Totally Sad by Erin Donovan

Holiday Toolkit for Supporting Grieving Children from National Alliance for Grieving Children

Hope in a Jar – A Loving Gift for the Bereaved by Harriet Hodgson

How to Cope with Grief During the Holidays by Lynn Sue Cooney

Coping with Grief During the Holidays via Lisa VanderWel

I Miss You: A Holiday Grief Survival Kit by Gary Roe

Currents of Grief: Finding Balance through the Holiday Season by Lisa De Sieno

When The Holidays Aren't Happy by Ellen Monsees

3 Ways to Handle the Holidays When You've Lost Someone Who Meant Everything to You by Amber Petty

Revisiting Grief During The Holidays by Emily Joshu

The Ghost of Christmas Past by Justina Gioia

When Grief and Holidays Collide by Gary Roe

Finding A Way From Christmas Sorrow to Christmas Joy by Jill Smoot

Discovering Thanksgiving by Candace McKibben

Halloween Horror: Hurt or Help Your Grieving Friends by Teresa TL Bruce

Musings on Halloween, Past and Present by Cathy Seehuetter

When Halloween Is Real: Plastic Skulls and Cemeteries by Megan Devine

Your feedback is welcome! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question, or share a tip, a related article or a resource of your own in the Comments section below.

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