Making It Through The New Year After Losing A Loved One

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Turkeys have been eaten, presents have been exchanged and champagne corks have been popped to ring in the New Year. For many people, the end of the holiday season brings a new resolve to make the new calendar year rich with life changes and prosperity.

But what if you’re one of many people who recently experienced a death that hit close to home?

The holiday cheer rings a little less vibrant when you’re dealing with grief. This can carry over, making it taxing to raise your energy in anticipation of New Year’s resolutions, goals and promises.

You can turn the death of a loved one into a journey that propels you into the New Year, fostering growth and nurturing you through your grieving process.

Let these tips below serve as a foundation for a prosperous New Year, so that you honor the memory of your loved one who passed and find the grace to heal.

Give it meaning. The human experience doesn’t always lend to understandings of why certain things happen. In these moments, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with creating your own meaning and growing from it.

For instance, if your loved one died due to a certain illness, you could use that lesson to drive you to embrace your own health and help others take care of their bodies. You can also find lessons in the way that your loved one lived. Perhaps they were active in their community, served in the armed forces or were diligent in perfecting their craft.

Taking the time to reflect on the way your loved one lived helps you to mentally acknowledge their death so you can physically let them go, while holding onto the lessons that can serve you and others as you move forward.

Embrace faith. Whether you attend church every Sunday, are non-religious, but believe in a higher power, or simply want to hold out hope for better days ahead, faith can work wonders during your grieving process. Experiencing a death can issue a blow that makes it hard to get out of bed or take care of daily duties.

These moments of despair make it necessary to surrender to the miracles that faith can work in your life. Medical studies have shown that faith in a power bigger than you can provide healing – even in people experiencing crippling depression and other mental disorders. Reaffirm your faith and use this power to help you through this year.

Focus on your mental health . Take this time to get the mental health assistance that you need. The best course of action to take is reaching out to professional grieving counselors who can see you regularly. The act of letting go and seeking help also lightens the burden, so that you don’t feel as though you’re alone with your grief.

Embracing meditation, prayer and affirmations can also help you to organize your thoughts, so that you find empowerment and renewal in your thought life.

Focus on your physical health . Take this time to strengthen your health, fitness and nutrition and it will provide an excellent grieving tool. You don’t have to become a bodybuilder or a fitness model – but a fit body leads to a fit mind and invigorated spirit. Getting physically active also keeps you out of the house and allows you to grieve while on the go, as opposed to being alone with your thoughts.

P rocess your feelings through creativity and reflection. The last thing you should ever try to do when grieving is forget your loved one who passed. Not only is this not possible -- it is not fruitful in the long run.

Instead, start a journal and begin regularly expressing the range of emotions that you are going through now that your loved one is no longer with you. Allow these journal entries to be as expansive and expressive as you would like. You might even consider writing letters to your departed, detailing how grateful you are to have known them.

Creating a photo album, video project or other presentation also lets you use your energy productively, while honoring their life and memory.

Visit their resting place. When a loved one is buried or memorialized at a site, bear in mind that this is just as much for you as it is for them. Going into the New Year, you can set regular days to visit, drop off fresh flowers, or simply reflect. Doing so with regularity continuously reinforces the reality that they are no longer here, which is a necessary part of grieving and creating a new sense of perspective.

Strengthen your relationships . Losing a loved one puts us in touch with our own mortality. Subconsciously, this realization is a big reason that so much sadness is involved. Take the time to grow closer to other family members and friends, honoring the fact that our time is limited, while also taking in love during this fragile time.

Putting these seven tips to use will help you make this New Year fruitful, as you cope with loss and thrive by creating your own new beginning.

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Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging time, and navigating the funeral process can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s your first time making funeral arrangements or you’re unsure about certain aspects of the process, it’s natural to have many questions. Understanding the typical procedures and options available can help ease the burden during this difficult time. Here are some of the most frequently asked funeral questions and their answers to guide you through the process. 1. What is the difference between a funeral and a memorial service? A funeral typically involves a ceremony held with the body of the deceased present, either before or during burial or cremation. It often includes a viewing or wake, where family and friends can pay their respects. A memorial service , on the other hand, takes place after the body has been buried or cremated and does not involve the presence of the body. Memorial services may be held in various settings, such as homes, churches, or other venues, and can be personalized to reflect the life of the deceased. 2. What is embalming, and is it required? Embalming is a process that involves preserving the body to delay decomposition, usually for viewing purposes. It is not legally required in most places but may be necessary if the body is to be displayed at a public service or transported over long distances. In cases where there will be no viewing, embalming is typically not needed. However, certain states or countries may have regulations about embalming or the timing of burial. It’s important to check with the funeral home to determine what’s required in your area. 3. How much does a funeral cost? The cost of a funeral can vary greatly depending on factors like location, the type of service, and the funeral home you choose. There are options to help manage funeral expenses, such as cremation (which can be less expensive than burial), choosing a less elaborate service, or purchasing a funeral plan in advance. 4. What is cremation, and how does it differ from burial? Cremation involves the process of reducing the body to ashes. Many people choose cremation for its simplicity, lower cost, and flexibility in how the ashes can be kept, scattered, or interred. Some people opt for a cremation memorial service, where the ashes are present but there is no body. Burial , on the other hand, involves placing the body in a casket and then burying it in a cemetery. This option may include the purchase of a grave plot, headstone, and other related services. The choice between cremation and burial depends on personal, cultural, and religious preferences. 5. What are the steps in planning a funeral? Planning a funeral typically involves the following steps: Notify family and friends : Reach out to close family and friends and inform them of the passing. Choose a funeral home : Select a funeral home to help with arrangements, including embalming (if applicable), obtaining necessary permits, and coordinating transportation. Select the type of service : Decide on whether you want a funeral, memorial, or graveside service. You’ll also need to choose the location and any religious or cultural elements to incorporate. Choose a casket or urn : Select a casket for burial or an urn for cremation. There are many styles and price ranges to choose from. Plan the ceremony : Work with the funeral director to plan the service, including music, readings, eulogies, and floral arrangements. Arrange for transportation : The funeral home will coordinate the transportation of the body to the service and burial or cremation site. 6. Should I pre-plan a funeral? Pre-planning a funeral is a personal choice. Many people choose to pre-plan to relieve their loved ones of the burden of making arrangements during a time of grief. Pre-planning allows you to specify your wishes for the service, casket, burial, and other aspects of the funeral, ensuring your desires are respected. Additionally, pre-paying for a funeral can help protect your family from rising costs in the future. However, it’s important to carefully consider pre-planning options, as funeral costs can vary, and you’ll want to ensure that the plan is flexible and fully understood by the family members who will carry out your wishes. 7. What are the options for scattering ashes? If you choose cremation, there are many options for what to do with the ashes: Scattering : Many people choose to scatter the ashes in a location that had significance to the deceased, such as a favorite park, beach, or nature spot. Keepsake urns : Some families choose to keep a portion of the ashes in a special urn or piece of jewelry. Interment : Ashes can be interred in a family plot or at a cemetery, either in a niche or within a memorial garden. Other creative options : There are many creative options for commemorating the deceased, including turning ashes into diamonds or using them to create a memorial reef. 8. What is a death certificate, and why is it important? A death certificate is an official document issued by a governmental authority that confirms the death of a person. It is essential for handling legal and financial matters, such as settling the deceased’s estate, claiming life insurance, and closing accounts. The funeral home typically assists in obtaining several copies of the death certificate. 9. Can I personalize a funeral service? Absolutely! Many families choose to personalize the funeral service to reflect the deceased's personality, passions, or hobbies. You can incorporate meaningful music, photos, special readings, or even display personal items that were important to the deceased. The funeral director can help guide you through creative options for personalization. 10. What should I do if I can’t attend the funeral? If you’re unable to attend the funeral in person, consider sending flowers, a sympathy card, or making a charitable donation in the deceased’s honor. If the family holds a memorial service, they may also offer the option to participate virtually, such as through a livestream. It’s always thoughtful to express your condolences in any way possible. Funeral planning can be complex, but understanding the answers to these frequently asked questions can help make the process easier to navigate. Whether you are arranging a funeral for a loved one or pre-planning your own, it’s important to take the time to make informed decisions. By doing so, you can create a meaningful, respectful ceremony that honors the life and memory of the deceased, while providing comfort to those who are grieving.