Grief Rituals
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Write In Honor Of Your Loved One: Writings could include letters to your loved one, poetry or family stories that may or may not be published, but can be sent out with Christmas or Easter cards to friends and family members. According to many therapists, writing is very therapeutic.

Write An Angry Letter: Anger is a normal part of grief work. Sometimes it is even directed at the deceased loved one because they left us. Sometimes it is directed at others. Write these feelings down in a letter or draw a picture symbolic of these feelings and cutting it up or burning it is a healing ritual. There is virtually no benefit in holding onto anger.

Start A Journal: This is a great way to express your feelings and get through this terrible time. It can serve as a place to compile any poetry or letters written to your loved one and can give you an opportunity to track how you're feeling moment by moment.

Ask Others To Write Down Their Stories: Purchase a special journal and ask classmates, co-workers, family and friends to write down their memory of a shared experience with your loved one. This is a great way to find out information that your didn't already know.

Draw A Picture: Draw a picture that depicts your feelings or is symbolic of your loved one. The picture can either be framed or hung or destroyed as a healing ritual.

Frame A Special Photo (s): If you have a special photo, find a special frame and display it in a special place. Old snap shots can be cut and made into a special photo collage representing your loved one's life.

Hang A Picture: Purchase if necessary and hang a picture that is symbolic of your loved one. You could also commission an artist to draw or paint one. I had a local artist draw a picture that represents my sons life.

Commission A Wooden Shadow Picture To Be Made: I had an area wood crafter reproduce my son's last school picture out of wood. Using a special saw, he cut his hair and facial features out giving it a type of 3-D effect.

Display Photo's Or Cards At Grave Site: I have seen photo's incorporated right in the head stone. My dad built a display case with a glass top to hold pictures and birthday or mothers day cards at my mom's grave site. The case protected the cards and photo's from the weather but allowed them to be visible. We found that the sun does fade them after awhile.



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