Celebrating a Life: Blog

In almost every culture, a community of people bring meals to surviving family members and friends in the days, weeks and months following a loss. But, for a family member accustomed to sharing every meal with their lost loved one, the grieving...

There are a handful of dates on the calendar we celebrate every year, including anniversaries, birthdays, holidays and more. But following the loss of a loved one, what should be momentous occasions can often serve as painful reminders.

While...

“Grief is so uncomfortable.” That’s one of the opening lines writer Nora McInerny shares in her candid TED Talk about life and death.

TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful snippets.

In this particular...

For many, the word grief is often associated with death. While it’s normal and natural to grieve the passing of a loved one, grief is not always exclusive to death.

Grief is also about loss, and loss comes in many different forms. Some losses are...

The loss of a loved one is likely the single hardest experience we face in our lives. The grieving process can take days, weeks or even months to unfold, but gradually with time, acceptance is expected to occur.

When it stalls or persists, ...

For many of us, the new year means a fresh start. It’s an opportunity to let go of the past and look forward to the future.

But, welcoming the new year can be extremely difficult for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. While it may...

For many, the holidays bring about joy, as close family members and friends gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. But for some, the holidays can be a painful reminder of the people we’ve lost.

If you’re grieving this holiday...

People often talk about the five “stages” of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance—as if they’re the only explanation for what people experience after a loss. There are hundreds of resources online and offline that back this...

As we head into the holiday season, many people look forward to various beloved family traditions, like sharing meals, decorating cookies, hanging lights and singing carols. 

But, what happens when you lose an integral part of that tradition?

After...

Following the loss of a close family member or friend, there’s a common misconception that children are too young to attend funeral or memorial services.

Parents or grandparents may feel that funerals are only designed for adults because they may be...