Holiday Grief

For those who are grieving, the holidays can be unfamiliar terrain. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, this time is filled with fond remembrances of loved ones who are on your mind yet absent from your traditions and rituals. Acknowledging the difficulties of holidays after loss does not make a potentially difficult time any easier, but preparing for the holidays by tapping into helpful coping strategies may provide some much-needed help.

We have compiled a list of resources below that we hope you might find helpful.  Our executive committee has vetted every resource as the highest quality.  If we can be of help to your or your family during this difficult time as you walk towards your new normal, please let us know by contacting us with any questions you might have.  

For Parents From Parents

• Surviving the Holidays
• Thankful for the Unexpected
• The Most Wonderful and Grief Filled Time of the Year
• Honoring Your Child During the Holidays
• ‘Tis the Season for Grief

For Parents from Professionals

• Getting Through the Holidays – The Dougy Center
• Three C’s for Holiday Grief – Hospice Foundation
• 64 Grief Tips for the Holidays – What’s Your Grief
• Grief for the Holidays – Grief.com

For Parents Regarding Surviving Siblings from Professionals

• Help Grieving Children During the Holidays – Katie Lear
• Supporting Grieving Children During the Holidays – Texas Children’s Hospital
• 7 Tips to Support Children During the Holidays – Mindfulness and Grief
• Helping a Teen With Grief – What’s Your Grief
• Teenage Grief – Eterneva

For Kids from Professionals

• Help for Kids – The Dougy Center
• Holiday Toolkit – Children Grieve
• Books for Grieving Children – Allina Health
• Grief for Children – Sesame Street Communities

For Teens from Professionals

• Help for Teens – The Dougy Center
• I’m a Teen – Mourning Hope