Bereavement

Bereavement Emotional Health Hospice December 22, 2025

The holidays can feel impossibly heavy when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. While others move on with celebrations and traditions, your grief may feel closer to the surface. If you’re struggling to get through this season, know that your grief is valid and you don’t have to pretend to be in the holiday spirit.

Why Grief Feels Stronger During the Holidays

Grief during the holidays often carries an added weight. Familiar traditions highlight who’s missing, and gatherings can feel incomplete. The expectation to be joyful can make your sadness feel even more isolating. When you’re coping with loss during the holidays, give yourself permission to feel exactly what you feel is the first step toward healing.

12 Practical Ways to Cope with Grief During the Holidays

1. Give Yourself Permission to Feel

There’s no “right” way to grieve. You may cry one moment and laugh the next. Both are ok. Feeling joy doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten your loved one, and feeling sadness doesn’t mean you’re failing to cope.

2. Modify Traditions

You don’t have to keep every tradition exactly the same. Hold on to what brings comfort and let go of what feels too painful. Even small changes, adjusting activities, changing the timing, or altering the food, can make the holidays feel more manageable. Small changes can ease the weight of missing your loved one during the holidays.

3. Set Realistic Expectations

You don’t have to pretend to be ok during the holidays. It’s ok to skip the office party or stay longer than you can handle. Protecting your emotional energy isn’t selfish; it’s part of dealing with grief.

4. Communicate Your Needs Clearly

People want to support you, but often don’t know how. Let them know what feels supportive and what doesn’t. Simple requests can help others show up in ways that feel respectful and meaningful.

5. Honor Their Memory Intentionally

Finding a way to acknowledge your loved one can bring comfort. Lighting a candle during dinner, sharing stories, or making a donation in their name allows space for remembrance without forcing celebration.

6. Plan Ahead for Difficult Moments

Anticipate when your grief might hit the hardest and decide in advance how you’ll handle those moments. Maybe step outside for some air during the toast at midnight or simply express your emotions in the moment. Having a plan helps when emotions feel too much.

7. Take Care of Your Physical Health

Grief can be exhausting, especially during a busy season. Prioritize sleep, eating healthy meals when you can, and moving your body gently. Caring for your body supports your ability to cope emotionally.

8. Limit Social Media if Needed

Seeing other people’s holiday celebrations online can increase your feelings of loss. Taking a break from social media or logging off entirely can help protect your emotional well-being.

9. Find Meaningful Ways to Give Back

Some people find purpose by volunteering, donating to a cause their loved one cared about, or helping someone else in need. Service doesn’t erase the pain, but it can provide meaningful moments during a difficult season.

10. Connect with Others Who Understand

Isolation can make grief feel heavier during the holiday season. Reaching out to friends, family, or a grief support group can remind you that you’re not alone. When you’re missing a loved one, talking with someone who truly understands can be deeply comforting.

11. Create a Grief Plan for the Day

Keeping to a routine helps when emotions feel chaotic. Create a balance between social commitments and alone time. Knowing what comes next can reduce anxiety during unpredictable holiday grief.

12. Remember That the Season Will End

The holidays will not last forever, and neither will the sharp pain of loss. Getting through the holiday season after loss is an accomplishment all by itself. Be gentle with yourself as you navigate the coming weeks.

Don’t Navigate Holiday Grief Alone

If you’re struggling with grief during the holidays, support is available. Residential Hospice offers free bereavement services, not just to families of our patients, but to anyone in our community experiencing loss. Our compassionate team offers grief counseling, support groups, and resources to help you cope. Contact us to learn more about our grief services.

Bereavement

Bereavement Emotional Health Hospice December 18, 2025

When a child loses someone they love, their grief can show up differently than how it shows up in adults. One moment, they could be quietly sad, the next playing or laughing as if nothing happened. Children process grief differently because their world is still growing and changing. They’re learning how to handle big feelings, and they need gentle guidance, consistency, and a safe space to express their feelings. Programs like Residential’s Blue Elephant Children’s Grief Services offer tools and experiences to help kids navigate their emotions in a healthy way.

How Children Process Grief

Children experience and process grief differently at each stage of development. Younger children may have a hard time understanding that a loved one is permanently gone. They may assume a loved one will come back or worry they somehow caused it. School-age children start to understand the lasting impact of loss but can have trouble expressing the emotions they feel. This can show up as anger, clinginess, withdrawal, changes in appetite, or trouble sleeping. Teens usually understand the reality of loss but wrestle with intense emotions, independence, and identity. All of these are natural reactions when dealing with grief.

How to Talk to Kids About Death

One of the hardest parts of dealing with loss is knowing what to say, especially to children. Kids need honesty in a language they can understand. It’s best to avoid phrases like ‘we lost him’ or ‘she’s gone’ because they can create confusion or fear. Answer their questions as openly and honestly as you can. Reassurance, patience, and listening are powerful tools to help kids understand what’s happening.

Signs a Child Needs Grief Support

It can be tough to tell whether a child is coping or simply ignoring their feelings. Paying attention to changes in behavior or mood can signal that they may need additional help. Some of these behavior changes include:

Becoming unusually quiet or withdrawn
Showing increased worries or anxiety
Experiencing emotional outbursts or increased irritability
Struggling to focus

If you notice a child is struggling with grief, it’s important to talk with their teachers, coaches, or other adults in their life and let them know what’s happening. They can provide additional support and accommodation to help them feel understood.

Residential Hospice’s Grief Services for Children

Residential Hospice recognizes the special skill and time needed to help kids deal with loss, which is why we provide specialized grief services for children that meets them where they are. Our grief and bereavement team incorporates age-appropriate activities, therapeutic play, and compassionate guidance to help children make sense of loss.

The Blue Elephant Project helps children name and process their emotions, using a blue elephant plushie and feelings cards designed to make difficult emotions understandable and manageable. A matching adult guide provides useful information to help children cope with death and heal.

At Residential Hospice, we also offer summer Blue Elephant children’s grief camps in Illinois and Michigan where kids can connect with other children experiencing loss through art, music, and memory-making activities.

Women playing guitars at children's grief camp

Helping Children Heal After the Loss of a Loved One

Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, so the best support happens when you meet them where they are. Residential Hospice’s children’s grief services, including the Blue Elephant Project and Children’s Grief Camps, provide a safe space, compassionate guidance, and age-appropriate activities to help kids process the loss of a loved one. With consistent support, children can navigate grief while feeling understood, supported, and cared for.

Bereavement

Bereavement Home Health Care Hospice September 2, 2025

In the days following a loved one’s passing, your energy goes into honoring their life. While you make arrangements and plan a service, there are hugs, home-cooked meals, and check-ins from friends and family. But once the funeral is over and life moves forward for everyone else, the support can start to fade. Suddenly, you’re left in a quiet space that feels heavier than before. This is often when grief hits the hardest.

Grief support groups can help carry you through that silence. Whether in person or online, these groups connect you with others who truly understand, offering a place to talk and listen. Residential Hospice offers grief support services online or in person at no cost to families, caregivers, and anyone who is navigating the pain of loss.

What is a Grief Support Group?

A grief support group brings people together who are navigating loss. Whether you’ve lost a spouse, parent, child, or close friend, these groups offer a safe and welcoming space to share your story.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and you don’t have to face it alone. Support groups are led by trained facilitators or counselors who understand the grieving process. They help guide conversations and create an environment where everyone feels heard.

Some groups meet in person, while others are virtual, making it easier to find something that fits your schedule and comfort level. Residential Hospice provides free virtual support groups as well as in-person options in Elmhurst, IL, Arlington Heights, IL, and Plainfield, IL.

Easing into Support: How to Join a Grief Support Group

We know that joining a grief support group for the first time can feel intimidating. What will you say? Will people expect you to share right away? Will you be the only one feeling overwhelmed?

These are common concerns, but it’s important to remember that everyone is there for the same reason, and there’s no right or wrong way to participate. You can listen quietly or speak when you’re ready. You’re never forced to share more than you’re comfortable with. And you’re certainly not alone. Residential Hospice offers free online grief support groups, as well as in-person grief support groups that are made to be warm, inclusive, and judgment-free.

How Grief Support Groups Help Healing

Everyone’s grief is different, but many people share common struggles like feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to navigate daily life after loss. Grief support groups can help by:

Reducing feelings of isolation
Normalizing your emotions
Encouraging healthy coping
Offering steady support

Find a Grief Support Group Near You

If you’re searching for a “grief support group near me” or curious about whether joining a group might help, we encourage you to reach out. Residential offers free, accessible grief support groups both online and in person for anyone who needs it, whether or not you’ve had a loved one in our care.

Remember, there’s no timeline for healing. With the right support, you can move forward at your own pace with people who understand where you’ve been and want to walk beside you where you’re going. Find a grief support group or get in touch with us today to learn more about Residential Hospice’s grief support services.

Bereavement

Bereavement December 19, 2024

Although the holiday season is often filled with joy, celebration, and togetherness, it can feel overwhelming and lonely for those grieving the loss of a loved one. If you’re struggling with grief during the holidays, know you’re not alone. Our bereavement team has gathered some strategies to help you navigate grief during the holiday season.

Why Holiday Are Difficult for Individuals Who Are Grieving

The holidays can be especially challenging for individuals who have recently lost a loved one for several reasons, including:

Traditions and Memories
Social Obligations
Sense of Loneliness
Disruption of Daily Routine

Tips for Coping with Grief During the Holiday Season

Grieving during the holidays can be difficult but there are ways to take care of yourself and find comfort during this time. Here are some ways to help cope with grief during this season:

Plan Ahead: Plan your holiday activities ahead to know where you will be and how you’ll spend your time. This can reduce stress and help you set realistic expectations, allowing you to prioritize self-care and avoid feeling overwhelmed by social obligations.
Light a Candle in Memory of Your Loved One: Lighting a candle in memory of your loved one can be a simple yet meaningful gesture. Place the candle in a special place and light it at a time that feels significant to you during the holiday season.
Write a Letter to Your Loved One: Writing a letter to your lost loved one can be a therapeutic way to express your feelings. You can keep the letter in a special place or even bring it to their memorial site to honor their memory.
Decorate Their Memorial Site: Consider decorating your loved one’s memorial site with holiday decorations like flowers, garlands, ribbons, evergreen branches, or a wreath. This can be a beautiful way to celebrate their life and bring some warmth to the season.
Make a Donation in Their Memory: Donating to a cause or charity that was important to your loved one, like a hospice foundation, is a meaningful way to honor their life. This act of giving can bring comfort and provide a sense of purpose during the holiday season.
Read a Book: Reading about grief can offer valuable insight, comfort, and a sense of validation. Find books or articles that resonate with your emotions and provide helpful guidance as you navigate your journey of healing.
Practice Self-Care: Grief can take a toll on both your emotional and physical well-being. Be sure to practice self-care by taking time for yourself. Engage in activities that bring you comfort, such as meditation, taking a warm bath, or spending time in nature.

Holiday Grief Reading Resources

Reading can be a valuable tool for coping. Here are some resources to help guide you through this difficult time:

Find Comfort and Healing During the Holidays with Residential Hospice

The holiday season can be difficult when you’re grieving, but it’s important to remember that healing is a process, and it’s okay to feel the weight of your emotions. By acknowledging your grief and finding ways to honor your loved one, you can create space for both mourning and moments of peace. Lean on others and seek support when you need it. You’re not alone in this journey. If you need someone to talk to, the Residential Hospice bereavement team is here to offer support and resources.

Bereavement

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