Grief during festive periods

Here are some resources for the grieving and those supporting the grieving during the festive period. Some of the advice may not apply as some materials come from a time before Covid-19 and its restrictions but there is still useful material and suggestions to consider.

This is not an exhaustive list, if you have any other articles or blogs that you have found helpful please let me know in the comments and I will add them.

From this piece is a really beautiful sentiment:

"The loss of a loved one is like a candle that is no longer lit. There is a diminishing of light, of joy. The holiday is not the same, something is missing. 

Yet, with the grief, we are not diminished. We can still rekindle the light. This is done through memory and reminiscing. The holidays become a time when families gather to share what is missed, which can often provide joyful moments in the face of the emptiness felt. 

When we remember someone, the smell of the food cooked or the sound of their voice as the person repeats the same joke every year, we are symbolically relighting the candle that burned out. 

We are rekindling the fire in the room and working through our grief, which always reappears during the happier moments of

life." 

Note: Contains above article contains swearing, given the situation the author outlines, that's ok. If it's not for you, best not click.

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