Navigating Holidays and Special Dates After Loss

If you or someone you know has recently had to schedule cremation services in Pensacola, FL, it may be challenging to navigate all the emotions that need to be processed. This situation can become more problematic when holidays or specific dates such as birthdays without having the individual there to share the time with. Taking care of yourself is an essential practice, especially when going through grief, so here are some tips that can be helpful for you or someone you know to navigate through the more challenging days.

Practicing Compassion

Grief is not linear; it can feel more challenging to try to navigate in the day to day life. But when holidays or special occasions arrive, it can feel much more challenging to manage. One of the critical factors that can benefit some is to practice taking better care by using compassion when experiencing feelings.

Being mindful that grief is different for everyone and that there may be more challenging days than others can be beneficial to remember. This is especially true if you or your loved one doesn’t feel like celebrating, so being patient with the process is necessary.

Setting Priorities

With holidays and special days come events, and it may feel unfamiliar to navigate these festivities without the loved one there. It can be beneficial to set boundaries, particularly around how much availability you or your loved one offers. It may require saying no to some events or changing the approach on their attendance, which could look like limiting time at the function.

Making a Change

If the deceased was deeply involved with planning family activities or traditions, it might feel overwhelming to take over this responsibility. One thing that can be highly beneficial is to delegate different tasks to others to help alleviate some of the stress of planning. If you want to still include the loved one in the event, one suggestion is to have a photo of them or any items they loved.

There may be circumstances where you want to change a tradition altogether and do something completely different. Part of healing is learning to live without the loved one so changes can be a favorable option.

A Compassionate Source

Learning to navigate the more challenging days or celebrations can be difficult, especially in the first year, so it can be great to remember to give yourself the time you need to take care of yourself in the best way possible. Taking time to make sure that you are getting enough rest, eating healthy, and spending some time expressing emotions can also be healing experiences that contribute to well-being as you go through the feelings.

If you or someone you know has recently lost a loved one and are needing to schedule cremation services in Pensacola, FL, Faith Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory, want you to know we’re here to help. We offer multiple services, including preplanning, so contact us if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment.