Coping with holidays/social events while bereaved or grieving

[Ciel]

@DiamondLil Your journey is still very early. Emotions will occur with a remembrance, something that happens around you and you recall a memory or activity, etc. (((Hugs)))

[Ciel]

Virtual candlelight service (37min) on Arbor Memorial all during December (from a Hamilton ON funeral home with funeral directors from different locations):
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/lgwallace/candlelight

[cath007]

Seriously with the 5 by-pass my father had and he is not too strong ...the last place I want to be this summer to go is cemetary...I will have a tought for my mother and brother instead,..

[cath007]

Mom birthday would had be april 29...she would have 72 years old now...

[Darth Penguin]

Mom birthday would had be april 29...she would have 72 years old now...

That's Penguinette1's birthday. But her bday leads to MrP's, Mother's Day and mine all in two weeks. That makes it a hard time for me.

[Ciel]

Each one of you will find something that allows you to remember your loved ones around or just after those important anniversaries. Your journeys continue--do you find it easy to sometimes speak about your loved ones concerning a memory, event or like or dislike or even talk to them aloud? I do now and then on my own and sometimes with certain friends, I'll mention their loved one and what would have she or he thought of something going on right now. It's my way of letting the friends know they might want to talk about their loved ones or cantankerous ones or whatever the deceased was to them.

The only times I have managed to go to the cemetery to see Dad's spot is when I've gone alone and in conjunction with something else on my travels that day. I need that "space and quiet" to say what I want. And maybe trim the grass around the headstone, water the flowers or pinch off the spent flowers. Oh, speaking of watering-bring your own cup or container for water. In our city, the watering cans and jugs have been removed (they must be seen as high-touch items and not on the staff agenda of things to keep wiped down) from the faucets. This month is spring clean-up month, so it could be difficult to tend graves while the grounds are being revived by staff.

[Ciel21]

This year's annual virtual service to remember the deceased will posted after Dec. 6's in-person event.
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/dbancaster/about-us

I'll view it from home. Just not able to risk an evening attendance with the colder weather.
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This website has been a trove of information for grievers and those who provide grief support:

https://whatsyourgrief.com/resources..._type=grieving

Can I ever relate to this topic! https://whatsyourgrief.com/family-fi...after-a-death/

[cath007]

I think i will skip the holliday this year that will solve the sadness problem..

[Ciel21]

Virtual memorial services provided by the Arbor chain will remain active until January 9, 2022.
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/dban...-at-arbor-2021

I could not attend the local event due to weather conditions and the fact my cane makes night walking on slippery surfaces an issue.
Have to take in a service tonight. I am always moved by the readings.

[Ciel21]

Dr. Kemp Hospice (Hamilton Mountain, ON) will hold an outdoor family night on August 9. Pre-registration required and bring your own chairs (and bug spray!)

https://kemphospice.org/events/outdoor-family-night/

[Ciel21]

An item I saw this month about how to use the signature or handwriting of a deceased family member or loved one in an item you can display in your home! I like the recipe on a dish towel idea.

https://whatsyourgrief.com/9-creativ...e-handwriting/

I do not know if any family has given funeral guests any kind of souvenir (beyond prayer cards or service cards) to guests to remember someone by but maybe there's an idea to incorporate into a service or small tokens of thanks.

[Ciel21]

Annual Christmas memorial service (in-person) next week. RSVP by Friday if attending the Ancaster event.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=...07615568034542

[walkonby]

oops I placed this in the wrong thread!

never mind, sorry

[Ciel21]

What's a wind phone? There's one in the Niagara Region, in a conservation area.

The idea of a wind phone started with a Japanese man, who in 2010 installed one at his home as a way to grieve his cousin, who had recently died of cancer.

A simple setup, it’s a phone with no connection. Those who are grieving can use it to say whatever they need to a lost loved one.

https://www.thespec.com/life/letting...c6ea54883.html