Grief Rituals
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Make Memorial Cards: These cards can include writing and a photo and can be given out at the memorial service. I think just about everyone is aware of this. But one Christmas I took this idea in a different direction. I drew an angel and used it as the front of my Christmas Cards. Incorporated in her wings was my sons name. Until it was pointed out, no one knew it was there but the important thing is, was that I knew.

Locate A Special Signature For Your Loved One: Buy A Special stamp or sticker that you can put on holiday cards that you send out that will represent your loved one's signature.

Set Extra Place Setting: Set a place at the table for your loved one for the holiday meal. To include you're loved one at the holiday family gathering.

Favorite Centerpiece: Place a single flower or bouquet of flowers that your loved one cherished as the centerpiece.

Moment of Silence: You could observe a moment of silence at family gatherings during the holiday season or while visiting the grave site. HALos' practices this by starting every board meeting with a moment of silence in memory of the
children who have died.

Light A Candle: Buy a special candle to light at times that are special to your loved one's memory (i.e. birthday, father's day, mother's day, anniversaries, holidays, etc.). Every year at Christmas time, I purchase one of those big 3 or 4 wick candles. I light it on Christmas Eve and it burns through the 28th of December, my son's birthday. It's my way of including him in our holiday celebration and continuing to acknowledge his birthday.

Purchase A Memorial Ornament: Buy a Christmas ornament each year to remember your loved one. Hospice also has a memorial tree during the holiday season. By purchasing an ornament from them, you are memorializing your loved one as well as supporting the organization.

Hang A Special Ornament: A special ornament can be purchased each year and hung on your tree to include your loved ones in your holiday celebration. The first year that we had a tree after my son's deaths, I purchased many angel ornaments. Since then, we have used them every year to remind us of our special angel.

Hang A Christmas Stocking: Hang a Christmas Stocking for your loved one, and have everyone write a special note to put inside.


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