Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy, and it may be especially painful during the holidays. Amidst all the festive celebrations and joy, you may be grieving either a recent loss of a loved one or one that happened at around this time in the past. This year, even more people could be grieving during the holidays due to the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Remembering a lost loved one during the holidays is not easy, yet it keeps their memories alive. It may be difficult going through grief during what is supposed to be a joyous occasion, but letting yourself experience these emotions are vital to helping you heal over time.
Read on for some tips on how to remember your departed loved one during the holidays.
1. Go through photos and home videos
Going through a bunch of photos and home videos is a great way to get to remember the deceased. Although it may make you emotional, it can also provide a sense of comfort reminiscing special moments in your loved one’s life.
If you’re hosting a holiday get-together, display some old photo albums or frame up some pictures on your wall. You can also play some home videos on a TV screen for your visitors to watch. This creates a great opportunity to reminisce and share stories of your loved one with family and friends.
2. Make an ornament from personal items
Use some of your loved one’s favourite belongings like a soft toy or watch to make an ornament. After which, you can use the ornament as part of your holiday season’s decorations. For example, you can fix the ornament at a prominent part of your Christmas tree.
You can also take this time to give away some of your loved one’s belongings. Wrap up a few special items and give them to important family members and friends who will appreciate them. Write them a card on why you chose to give them the item; it’ll make it an even more meaningful and sentimental gift that they’ll adore.
3. Donating to a cause in their name
The holidays are a season of giving. During the holidays, places of worship, homeless shelters, local food kitchens and children’s charities are active in looking for donations. If your loved one had a favourite charity or cause that they strongly believed in, reach out to them and donate in your loved one’s name.
4. Volunteer to help others in need
In addition to a donation, you could also volunteer your time towards helping a cause that is close to you or your loved one’s heart. If your loved one had passed away from an ailment, volunteering at a hospice could be the perfect ‘gift’ that you present to other people.
Giving your time and energy to others in a similar situation is a great way to honour your loved one when they have departed. It may also help in the grief and healing process. If you are dealing with a recent death, perhaps you could give yourself some time to process your loss before you volunteer.
5. Observe a moment of silence
During the holiday season, many families hold annual get-togethers. During these gatherings, they often share in a meal and spend a couple of hours catching up. If your friends and family have this custom, you can request the guests to observe a minute of silence in honour of your deceased loved one. This approach is found to have a profound impact on survivors, especially when the holiday season is close.
You can also light a candle in honour of your loved one and leave it burning during the gathering to signify their presence in your hearts. Candles are often lighted at services that honour the deceased, such as a Buddhist funeral ceremony.
Conclusion
Everyone deals with grief differently. While some may find comfort in constantly speaking about their deceased loved ones, others may find it painful to do so. Nonetheless, keeping your loved one’s memory alive after they have passed away is vital to helping you to accept and heal from the loss with time.
Funeral services are another platform that acts as a way to honour the deceased. For a dignified send-off for your loved one, don’t hesitate to engage a reputable funeral company to organise funeral services in Singapore. Let us take care of the logistics and rituals of the funeral, so you can take this time to focus on healing from the loss of your loved one.
