Although a funeral gives surviving loved ones the opportunity to say goodbye, grief doesn’t necessarily end once the service is over. The year following a loss can be particularly testing as people adjust to every season without their loved one. If this is your first holiday season without a close friend or relative, here are some pieces of advice to help you cope.

How to Handle the Holidays After Losing a Loved One

1. Start New Traditions 

Participating in holiday traditions without a friend or family member can be painful. It’s only natural to long for a time when you were together, which makes it challenging to enjoy the present.

Create new traditions that help you move forward. For example, bake cookies with your grandchildren or decorate your porch with beautiful lights. Give yourself permission to start creating new memories with family and friends who are still around you.

2. Plan Some Alone Time 

While spending quality time with loved ones is healthy, set aside some quiet time for yourself, too. Everyone occasionally needs a little space to process their feelings, especially when dealing with difficult emotions. 

Whether you’re staying with relatives or hosting a few loved ones at your home, prioritize self-care in the downtime. Eat balanced meals, exercise daily, and indulge in habits that make you happy, like bubble baths, good books, or long walks with your dog. 

3. Embrace Every Emotion 

Grief tends to come in waves. At first, these waves will be powerful and frequent. Over time, they may be fewer and spread out. While it’s important to process each wave as it comes, it’s also essential that you enjoy the time in between them.

People in mourning are often reluctant to let happiness overtake them because they feel guilty. If you find yourself having fun, don’t suppress the feeling. Embrace all positive emotions and allow yourself to feel them without judgment. Those little moments of bliss are part of the healing process. 

The compassionate team at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home knows how hard it is to cope with losing a loved one. Since 1900, they have helped families throughout Crawford County, PA, honor those they’ve lost by crafting beautiful funeral services. They’re a fourth-generation family business and always provide a personal touch. Call (814) 724-1021 to reach a funeral director, or find more grief support on their website.