Coping with Christmas After Someone Has Passed

While many people see the Christmas period as one of merriment and an endless round of eating and drinking with family and friends, that doesn’t always apply to us all.

Because Christmas is often a holiday all about tradition and memories, it can be particularly difficult when those you’ve shared those memories with are no longer there. That can be doubly the case if it’s the first Christmas without them.

In this article, we’re going to provide some practical advice on how to survive Christmas after the loss of someone special, whether it’s your first without them or it’s been a few years and you’re still finding it hard to cope.

Planning for Christmas

These days, it feels like the build-up to Christmas Day goes on longer than ever, with decorations and Christmas songs often appearing in shops from the middle of November – if not even earlier. That extended lead-in can make it harder, but it also gives you time to plan ahead.

The important thing to remember is that you should be having the Christmas that you want. That might mean bowing out of the usual gatherings and celebrations, or you might just as easily prefer to carry on as usual. Don’t worry about whether you’re doing the ‘wrong’ thing – if it works for you and helps you to cope, then it’s always the right thing.

It’s important to talk to others, so that they know what you’re thinking and don’t make assumptions about what you are or aren’t likely to want to do over the holiday period.

Christmas Day

Dealing with traditions

As with so much around this whole area, it’s all down to what makes you feel most comfortable. Carrying on with old traditions can be a great way of honouring your lost loved one. On the other hand, developing new traditions could allow you to move on and look to a new future.

It's okay to be upset

It’s almost inevitable that at some point during the day you’re going to be upset. That could be at any time, because you never know what might trigger a special memory.

If you want or need to cry, it’s okay – and anyone with you should know that it’s okay as well. Crying is all part of the grieving process, so don’t feel that you have to hold back for the sake of others that may be with you.

Take some time for yourself

If at any time over the course of the day you want to withdraw and have some time for yourself and your memories, just do it. Christmas Day can be tiring at the best of times, and it can be easy to become overwhelmed when you’re feeling particularly emotional as well.

You’ll find plenty of resources online that you can use if you’d like further help and advice. We particularly liked those provided by the Sue Ryder and Marie Curie charities.

Here at Tithe Green Natural Burial, we understand that the importance of dealing with death and loss in your own way is far more important than doing things merely because they’re expected or traditional.

We offer burials and ashes interments with a difference, by placing the protection of the environment at the heart of everything we do.

Get in touch with us to find out more or order your natural burial or ashes interment online now. Our woodland and wildflower meadow sites are at Oxton in Nottinghamshire, Ketton in Rutland and Markfield in Leicestershire.