Christmas can be a time of joy and festivities as family comes together to celebrate the year that has gone and the year to come. But for many, it can be a difficult time of the year when they are grieving the death of a loved one. It is one less place laid at the dinner table, it is one less person opening presents and it can be one less person at mass.
Funeral Director with Andrew Kennedys Funeral Directors, Peter Giarratano, has spent 18 years supporting those in the community coping with grief. He provides five helpful tips of how to look after oneself over the Christmas period.
- Accept your feelings: After the death of a loved one people could be experiencing many different emotions over the festive season. One moment they’re sad, the next they’re lonely or they could be going through all these feelings at once. That’s OK. There is no right or wrong way to feel when you’re grieving.
- Be patient with yourself: When many people are feeling joyful it can be easy to feel impatient with grief. Grieving takes time and it can’t be sped up. Some people feel better in weeks and others feel better in months or more. Letting grief unfold naturally is a part of people giving themselves time to feel the way they feel.
- Take care of yourself physically: If people are feeling better physically then they will feel better emotionally. Remember to sleep, eat exercise and take time to relax. All these things will help especially with the busyness of spending time with family and friends over Christmas.
- Accept help from others: Grief is hard work, and there is no shame in asking friends or family for support. As many gather together for Christmas share memories of loved ones and listen to each other. This can help you cope with however you’re feeling. Remember that you can seek professional guidance if you’re struggling.
- Start a grief journal: Putting words on paper allows people to express feelings that are painful, rather than carrying those feelings around inside. If a grief journal isn’t the right fit try to find something else. It could be exercising or picking up a new hobby of some sort. Finding ways to manage grief can help you not only over the holiday period but in the weeks and months to come.
About Andrew Kennedy Funeral Directors: Andrew Kennedy Funeral Directors draw on more than 80 years’ experience in supporting families across Sydney and specialises in supporting the Greek and Italian communities through tailored funeral services. It prides itself in valuing respect, trust and family to create a sense of belonging within the community. For more information, please visit: https://www.andrewkennedyfunerals.com.au/
