The following guidelines may be helpful:

1. Be good to yourself. Slow down your pace. Plan your scheduleahead of time so you can scale back on activities if you want too.

2. Acknowledge your loss. Select a candle in your loved one’s favorite color and scent. Place it in a special area of your homeand light it ast a signi�cant time throughout the holidays. Puttogether a photo album or collage, visit your loved one’s grave,or write a poem.

3. Give yourself permission to express your feelings. If you feelthe urge to cry, let the tears �ow. Tears are healing. Talk to yourfamily and friends about your feelings.

4. Don’t feel guilty if you �nd yourself enjoying yourself aroundthe holidays. It is not disrespectful to the memory of your lovedone.

5. Celebrate life. Attend a holiday or religious service if faith ispart of your life. Recognize it is acceptable to create new traditions.

6. Embrace your memories and �nd comfort in them.

For most people, the holidays are a happy, festive time of year. But, for those facing the holidays after the loss of a loved one, the season can be lonely, depressing, and often dif�cult to handle.

Holidays or not, it is important for the bereavedto �nd a way to cake care of themselves.

The Samaritan Center for Grief Support(800) 596-8550