Tips for Coping with Holiday Bereavement

I may have been told that there were tips for coping with holiday bereavement, holiday grief, and holiday depression, but I didn't feel like hearing that. I just wanted to stay in the process of mourning, sad and depressed. Holiday grief was my internal, emotional response to the loss I felt.

Sixteen years ago, I lost my mother in law on December 23rd, so Christmas was forever changed for my entire family. I had all ready suffered holiday depression so my holiday grief was at an all time high. Losing a loved one during the holiday season is worse than any other time of the year. Holiday bereavement has engulfed me many times over those years.

Also, last year, my mother was hospitalized and I visited her on Christmas Eve, which was when our family went to mom and dad's for a holiday dinner and party. On January 11th mom died of heart failure and I sunk deep into holiday depression.

Five Tips for Holiday Coping, Holiday Grief, Holiday depression and Holiday Bereavement:

1. Embrace the holiday, don't disregard it. Remember how that loved one celebrated with you and continue it or make new traditions. Include others in decisions, especially kids that may have trouble with holiday coping.

2. Make a memorial of the loved one for the Christmas tree, local paper, holiday dinner, or another honorable way.

3. Holiday coping can be easier if you share your pain, for pain shared is lessened. Talk about the holiday grief, holiday depression, and solutions for holiday coping. Write about it, read about it, and if you pray, then yes, do pray.

4. Honor the deceased, your holiday bereavement, your holiday depression, and how you can adjust to the loss with better holiday coping skills.

5. Go for a little trip if you feel you will be devastated by staying home, but do not do it to isolate or avoid the holiday bereavement.

Katheryn Markle, "Tips for Coping with Holiday Bereavement." Associated Content.