Bereavement Article

When grief comes home during the holidays, how do you manage?

Ways to help a grieving person during the holidays:

• Ask if they would like someone to be with them to decorate or cook or whatever they plan to do
• Include them in your invitations for events
• Respect their decision to say yes or no to invitations
• Ask them what their tough days will be
• Listen to their memories and stories of their loved one and share yours
• Encourage them to care for themselves
• Give them permission to lower expectations of themselves
• Listen, listen, listen

If you are recently bereaved:

• Accept your grief, it is hard work
• Give yourself time and space to feel
• Try not to put so much pressure on yourself–keep it simple
• Remember, you don't have to live up to others' expectations
• Focus on what you need
• Choose to keep familiar rituals or to try new ones
• Take good care of you