We enjoy warmth because we have been cold. We appreciate light because we have been in darkness. By the same token, we can experience joy because we have known sadness. ~ David Weatherford
For those who are anticipating or coping with the loss of a loved one, the holidays can be a most challenging time. We may feel exhausted, drowning in sorrow, and totally out of sync with the rest of the world, wishing that we could find a way to skip entirely these days, along with all those expectations of celebrating, giving thanks, shopping, preparing special meals, decorating, gifting, visiting, and entertaining guests.
Fortunately ~ and especially at this time of year ~ the Internet holds an abundance of information, comfort and support to help us get through these difficult days.
As I've done in years past, I will be searching throughout the season for helpful articles and reliable resources that I can recommend and share with my readers.
Below are links to those 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 each day, so I encourage you to check back often to see what’s been added.
Remember, too, that at this time of year, many hospices offer special community-based grief programs to guide participants in navigating the holidays while still honoring their loved ones. Contact your local hospice's bereavement services department to learn what may be available in your community.
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.
A Valentine Letter for YOU by Jayne Hannah
The Surviving Spouse's Guide to Surviving A Hallmark Holiday by RoseAnna Cyr
4 Tips for Grieving Hearts Entering 2019 by Gary Roe
When The New Year Becomes Old by Dr. Zachary White
New Year of Grief by Mark Liebenow
Gifts for Anyone Who's Grieving a Loss This Holiday Season from Healthline
New Year's Resolutions for The Emotionally Infirm, The Crushed, and The Weary by Kate Inglis
9 Things I Learned (Again) in 2018 by Gary Roe
Grief and Suicidality: How and Why to Stay Alive by Megan Devine
New Year's Grief from Grief Compass
How to Cope with Grief and Loss During The Holidays by Talia Lakritz
Veterinary Hospice Offers Tips for Saying Goodbye at The Holidays by Deb Samson
Battling and Conquering Grief During The Holidays by Mari Colham
Finding JOY in Times of Darkness - Podcast with Karen Wyatt, MD
3 Things I Wish for You This Christmas by Gary Roe
Dealing with Emotional Triggers During The Holidays by Reina Gattuso
Christmas Eve Luminarias: A New Mexico Tradition by Gail Rubin
10 Holiday Survival Tips by Mark Liebenow
Guilt and Grief During the Holidays from What's Your Grief?
Why Do Some People Suffer from the "Holiday Blues"? by Kathleen Clohessey
Holiday Sorrows and Precious Gifts by Thomas Attig
David Kessler's Top 4 Tips for Dealing with Holiday Grief via Legacy.com
Blue Christmas: How to Cope with Holiday Depression, Grief by Alia Dastagir
Ways to Survive the Holiday Season When You're Grieving from Refuge in Grief
Ten Tips to Help Someone Grieving During The Holidays from eHospice
Is Grief Upending Your Holidays? YouTube video from Open to Hope
Bereavement Bundle: Healing Holiday Grief from Health Journeys
5 Ways to Get Through the Holidays When You're Not Feeling Ho Ho Hopeful by Heidi Gessner
Grief Doesn't Take A Holiday by Mark Liebenow
Christmas Without You by Angela Miller
A Gift for The Bereaved by Maria Kubitz
8 Tips for Supporting A Grieving Friend This Holiday from What's Your Grief?
Dealing with Grief During The Holidays - Video with Megan Devine
31 Ways to Remember A Loved One During Christmas by Chris Raymond
All Those Feelings That Come Up Around The Holidays by Christine Baumgartner
Five Principles for Managing Grief In The New Year by Robert Neimeyer
Ease the Stress of Holiday Grief by Jessica Loftus
3 Tips for When Grief Collides with Your Holiday Celebrations by Gary Roe
The 10 Things I Wish I Knew About The Holidays After Loss by Christina Rasmussen
Holidays and Trauma: Holding Both by Gretchen Schmelzer
Seven Holiday Gifts for Someone Who Is Grieving by Laura B. Hayden
Holidays Can Be Hard on People Grieving A Loss, So Be Kind to Yourself by Lin Sue Cooney
3 Steps to Guarding Your Grieving Heart This Season by Gary Hart
Dealing with Grief During The Holidays - YouTube Interview with Megan Devine
The Modern Loss Holiday Gift Guide 2018
Grief During The Holidays by Dixie Lincoln-Nichols
Winter's Light by Mark Liebenow
Grieving and the Holidays by Robert Neimeyer
Dealing with Grief During The Holidays by Dixie Lincoln-Nichols
Grief Creeps Into The Cracks by Peggy Haymes
Grateful At The Table by Mark Liebenow
Grateful Remembrance Jar: A Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Activity from What's Your Grief?
Tips for Remembering Your Beloved at Thanksgiving by Chelsea Hanson
When You Are Grieving, Thanksgiving Day Feels Painful by Mary Jane Hurley Brant
Conversations About Death at Thanksgiving Dinner by Colleen Ferguson
Surviving Thanksgiving: 6 Tips for Grievers from What's Your Grief?
Creative Grief Expressions During The Holidays by Kara LC Jones
#OptionBThere for the Holidays - Option B
Coping with Grief at Xmas - 21 Survival Tips for the Holiday Season - Grief and Sympathy
Holiday Survival Tips - YouTube video from Open to Hope
A Christmas Encounter by Jill Smoot
The Veil Between Worlds Is Thin by Karla Helbert
Halloween and Holy Days by Mark Liebenow
Halloween and Grieving Students: A Check-In Can Help - USC National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
Look Who Is Coming to Holiday Dinner! What to Do When A Parent Remarries by Mary Joye
Grief at Halloween: It's Spooky from What's Your Grief?
Remembering to Live by Sarah Treaner
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. If you’d like Grief Healing Blog updates delivered right to your inbox, you’re cordially invited to subscribe to our weekly Grief Healing Newsletter. Sign up here.
Related:
- Permission to Mourn This Holiday Season
- Coping with Special Days
- Coping with the Holidays ~ Links to Articles
- Coping with the Holidays: Suggested Resources 2017
- Coping with the Holidays: Suggested Resources 2016
- Coping with the Holidays: Suggested Resources 2015
- Coping with the Holidays: Suggested Resources 2014
- Coping with the Holidays: Suggested Resources 2013
- Coping with the Holidays: Suggested Resources 2012
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