27 Oct Six Ways to Honor a Loved One During the Holidays
The holiday season often brings feelings of warmth, joy, and togetherness. For most of us, it is a time to celebrate with the people we love most. This is also why the holidays can feel so heavy and challenging after the loss of someone special.
It is completely normal to dread the holidays or even feel tempted to skip them entirely after a loved one passes away. The empty chair at the table or the missing voice in a family song can feel overwhelming. But gathering with others, even when it is difficult, can be a gentle step toward healing.
Finding ways to include your loved one’s memory in your traditions can transform a season of sadness into a time of tender remembrance. Here are 6 ways to honor the person you are missing this holiday season.
How to Remember and Honor Your Loved One
Grief is a personal journey, and there is no right or wrong way to navigate it during the holidays. The goal is to find what feels right for you and your family. These suggestions are simply starting points. You can adapt them to fit your own traditions and comfort levels.
Creating a dedicated moment to remember your loved one can be a beautiful and unifying experience. Before you sit down to eat your holiday meal, you could ask your family and friends to join you in a moment of silence. This quiet pause allows everyone to bring the person they are missing into the present moment.
After the silence, you might invite others to share a favorite memory if they feel comfortable. Hearing different stories can be a wonderful way to remember the many facets of your loved one’s personality. It creates a space for both laughter and tears, honoring the full spectrum of your shared experiences.
Sometimes, a simple visual reminder is the most powerful way to feel connected. Place a few favorite photos of your loved one around the house where you are gathering. You could create a small “memory table” with pictures, a favorite book they owned, or another sentimental object that reminds you of them.
These mementos can serve as gentle conversation starters. A grandchild might see a photo and ask a question, or a friend might share a story sparked by a familiar object. This keeps their memory alive and integrated into the fabric of your holiday gathering.
Light has long been a symbol of hope, spirit, and remembrance. Lighting a special candle for your loved one can be a quiet, beautiful tribute. You can place the candle in the center of the dinner table or on a mantelpiece.
As you light it, you might say a short prayer, share a few words about what the person meant to you, or simply let the flame burn as a silent testament to their enduring presence in your hearts. This act helps acknowledge their absence while also celebrating the light they brought into your lives.
Leaving an empty chair at the holiday table is a powerful and visual way to honor the person who is missing. This tradition acknowledges the spaces they held in your family and in your hearts. It is a way of saying, “You are not forgotten. You are still a part of us.”
You can place a single flower, a photograph, or a small, meaningful item on the plate at their empty seat. This simple gesture can be a profound comfort, a tangible symbol that their presence is still felt and cherished during your family’s most important moments.
When we are grieving, especially after a recent loss, our minds can sometimes fixate on our loved one’s final days, when they may be sick or frail. Sharing stories from happier times can help shift that focus. It reminds everyone of the vibrant, healthy person they were and the joy brought to the world.
Encourage family members to talk about their family memories. You could even make it a planned activity. Ask everyone to come prepared to share a funny story or a cherished moment. This practice of remembrance helps recast the narrative from one of loss to one of a life fully lived.
If your loved one was passionate about a particular charity or cause, honoring them through a donation or an act of service can be a meaningful tribute. This turns grief into positive action and extends their legacy of kindness.
You could organize a family volunteer day at a local animal shelter, donate to a children’s hospital in their name, or collect food for a community pantry. This not only honors their memory but also allows you to feel connected to them by continuing the work they cared about.
Coping with Grief During the Holidays
There is no guidebook for navigating grief during the holidays. The most important thing is to be gentle with yourself and to honor your own needs. Whatever works for you is the right approach.
For some, this might mean attending every holiday gathering and finding comfort in being surrounded by people. For others, it might mean choosing to stay home or only going to a dinner for a short while. It is also perfectly okay to break with tradition completely. Perhaps this is the year your family eats at a park or tries a new restaurant instead.
Although you may feel lonely, it is important to remember that you are not alone in your grief. While you may need time to yourself, spending time with others who are also grieving can be a source of great comfort. The connections you form through shared experience can be a powerful part of the healing process.
Finding Support This Holiday Season
At our core, we believe that no one should have to walk through life’s most difficult journeys alone. We are honored to be there for families, providing support not only for patients but for their loved ones as well. If you are struggling with grief and need support this holiday season, we are here to help. Contact us to learn more about our bereavement services and other resources.