12 Ways to Remember a Loved One During the Christmas Period

The Christmas holidays are a time of celebration and spending quality time with friends and family.

That being said, throughout December the team here at Remembrance Funerals is reminded that Christmas is a very difficult time for many families. For some, it will be the first Christmas without a loved one. For everyone else, we’ll be remembering the people who aren’t sat around the table with us, or who are no longer on our Christmas card list. And then there are the families and friends who are caring for those who might not make it through to the New Year due to ill health or old age.

Grief at Christmas can be especially painful.

It is important to remember that if you’re struggling at this time, grieving and missing someone – it’s testament to how much you loved them. There is no right or wrong way of ‘getting through’ the festive period, and doing ‘what feels right’ at the time, is the best advice anyone can give.

However, you might find some alleviation in these popular ways to remember loved ones during Christmas:

1. Visiting their grave or scatter site and laying a festive wreath can help you feel close to your loved one.
2. Churches, cemeteries, and hospices often hold holiday remembrance services that you can attend, either by yourself or with your family and friends.
3. Make a memorial wreath for your front door by adding ornaments, decorations and/or photographs.
4. Craft or purchase a personalised decoration to hang on your Christmas Tree in memory of your loved one. This could become an annual tradition.
5. Watch your loved ones favourite Christmas film, or listen to their favourite Christmas song – either in a group, or on your own.
6. Create and give memorial gifts to family members, friends and others who knew your loved one. They’ll be touched by your kindness.
7. Hang a Christmas stocking and place a handwritten note to your loved one inside. You can invite family members and friends to also add their own a note.
8. If you’re hosting a Christmas dinner, prepare your loved one’s favourite dish and make this fact known to your guests as you serve it.
9. Arrange a family walk along your loved ones favourite route and share stories and memories on the way around.
10. Set a place at the table, or create a memory table that your family and friends can add a small momento to in your loved one’s honour.
11. If you’re feeling generous, invite a less-fortunate person or family to join you for Christmas and help make their day brighter in memory of your loved one.
12. And a particular favourite at this time of year – light a candle and let it burn through advent and into the New Year in memory of your loved one.

Contact us for any advice you require.