[Updated December 6, 2025]
When someone dearly loved has died, we grieve not only for that individual, but also for the life we used to have, the love that special someone gave us and all the memorable times we spent together. Perhaps there is no time of the year when we're more aware of the empty space our beloved has left behind than during the holiday season.
Holidays can create feelings of dread and anxiety in those struggling with loss. The clichéd images of family togetherness and the often unrealistic expectations of a season filled with picture-perfect, joyful gatherings can cause tremendous stress for those who are not grieving, let alone for those in the midst of the painful, isolating experience of loss. Holidays by nature are filled with nostalgia and tradition, but in grief, even the happiest memories can hurt. When we're in the midst of pain, and the rest of the world wants to give thanks and celebrate, we need to find ways to manage our pain and get through the season with a minimum of stress.
Contact your local library, healthcare organization, hospice, mortuary, church or synagogue to learn what offerings and bereavement support services may be open to you. Look for programs specifically aimed at helping you cope with the holidays.
Some resources for your consideration:
7 Tips for Coping with Grief during the Christmas Period by Camilla Foster
A Season of Grief: Navigating Loss During the Holidays by Chaplain Nick Spletstoser
Balancing Joy and Grief During the Holidays by Stacey R. Pinatelli
Grieving and the Holidays by Dr. Robert Neimeyer
Continuing Bonds and Making Deceased Loved Ones a Part of Holiday Seasons by Louise McOrmond Plummer
Experts Offer Grief Coping Strategies for Thanksgiving by KY3 Staff
Fall and Holiday Eletter by Nan Zastrow
Fall and Holiday Eletter by Nan Zastrow
Gratitude and Grief Can Coexist by Mike Robbins
Grieving and the Holidays by Dr. Robert Neimeyer
Grieving and the Holidays Part II by Dr. Robert Neimeyer
Guided Meditation: A First Step to Healing from Grief Works
Holidays Grief Support Care Package from My Grief Angels
Holidays of Hope: Thanksgiving Gathering from Soaring Spirits International
How to Deal with Grief During Holidays by Sandra Walker Nichols
How to Navigate 'Anticipatory Grief' for Aging Pets This Holiday by Marjorielee Christianson
How to Honor Loved Ones' Memories During the Holidays from National Funeral Directors Association
Managing Grief During the Holiday Season by Patty Miller
Navigating the Holidays When They're Hard via Cone Health
Surviving the Holiday Season in the Midst of Grief by Karla Helbert
Take Care: Managing Grief During the Holidays by Cecilia Poon
The Empty Chair by Mary Fridel-Hunt, from Heal Grief
The Holidays Can Be Brutal When You're Grieving by Rebecca Soffer
The Science of Grief: Why the Holidays Trigger Memories and How to Cope by Patty Husted
Three Cs for Coping with Grief from Hospice Foundation of America
Three Cs for Coping with Grief from Hospice Foundation of America
Valuable Lessons about Holiday Grief by Nan Zastrow
What to Expect from Your Grieving Friend This Holiday Season by Jessica Fein
When the Season of Thankfulness Comes With Heaviness by Kristen Dial
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