The holiday season can bring a deeper awareness of the absence left by someone who has passed away. As the atmosphere becomes more festive, it is natural to feel moments of nostalgia and grief.
Rituals can help us move through this time by creating a symbolic space where we honour the memory of a loved one, while also offering ourselves comfort, gentleness, and meaning.
Here are 5 simple ritual ideas:
1. Prepare a recipe your loved one enjoyed during the holidays. Whether it is a traditional dessert, a festive dish, or another treat you once prepared together, this simple gesture becomes a way to keep their memory alive through shared traditions.
2. Add a commemorative decoration to the tree. A special ornament or a handmade item can become a meaningful symbol, one that is hung each year in remembrance.
3. Give one of your loved one’s belongings to someone in need or to someone who would appreciate it. If you feel the time is right, passing along an item that once belonged to them can be a generous and healing gesture. It allows something that carries their story to take on a second life.
4. Give your time to a cause that was close to their heart. Volunteering a few hours with an organization, making a symbolic donation, or taking part in a charitable activity can help transform grief into meaningful action and carry forward the values of your loved one.
5. Set a place at the table and add a meaningful object. This symbolic presence does not need to feel heavy; it can simply serve as a reminder that your loved one remains part of your family’s story.
Honouring someone who has passed away during the holidays does not mean dwelling in sadness, but rather making space for them at a time when love and connection take on special meaning. Each of these rituals can be adapted to reflect what brings you comfort.
Source (rituals): Canadian Grief Alliance