Handling the Holidays After a Death in the Family
After cremation services in Roundhead, OH, you’ll have to go on living your life. It won’t be easy, especially if the deceased was a family member who you were close to, and you can bet that the grieving process will take some time. But you’ll have to work through the emotions you’re experiencing in order to function and to meet your daily responsibilities. One challenge you may encounter after the passing of a relative is how to handle holidays. If your family likes to gather for Christmas, Thanksgiving and other big holidays throughout the year, it can be difficult doing it the same way as usual when you know that someone special is missing.
If you’re dreading the approach of a holiday after a death close to home, here are some tips to handle the situation.
Switch Things Up
While there’s something to be said for continuing with the old traditions, there is also something to be said for sometimes switching things up. You might not want a big family dinner if someone whose presence used to loom large at such occasions won’t be there anymore. If you’re up to doing something new, then consider some alternatives to the old traditions. Do you have close friends whose company you enjoy? Why not spend the holiday season with them? You can enjoy yourself at an event where you won’t have to do all – or any – of the cooking. Another idea is to volunteer your time to help those who need a helping hand. During the holidays, many churches, shelters or other organizations serve hot meals to the needy. Try volunteering your time at such an event. You’ll be able to take your mind off your own grief for a while, and you’ll feel good in helping others who may be facing more trying circumstances than yourself.
Scale Down
Maybe you don’t want to give up on the family dinner for the upcoming holiday season – but you might want to scale it down somewhat. So rather than having every family member, you could opt for immediate family. A smaller gathering might be less overwhelming. It will allow you to spend the holiday with those you are closest to, like parents, children and siblings, at a time when you might not want a crowd. You can also lessen the load by adopting a potluck theme where different family members are assigned certain things to bring.
Lay Low
People grieve for different lengths of time, and you may not feel like doing much celebrating in the immediate aftermath of a death in the family. If you feel like laying low for the first holiday or two after a death close to home, tell your loved ones. They will certainly understand.
After a Roundhead, OH cremation service, you’ll need to get used to a new normal. Things won’t ever be the same again. But that doesn’t mean that life can’t still be enjoyable and full of happiness. It just means that it will be different. Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, located at 1102 Lincoln Ave, Wapakoneta, OH 45895, is focused on creating healing experiences in the community. We offer funeral and cremation services, and our professional staff are focused on helping grieving families when they need us most. Call us at (419) 738-7676 when you need to plan a body disposition. We’re here to help.
