Thinking of a loved one this Halloween? You’re not alone.
Here are five ways to honor their life during the spooky season:
- PARTICIPATE
If you and your loved one enjoyed carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, wearing costumes, or
decorating, take part in these seasonal activities. Participating in the fun activities you enjoyed
together may be emotional, but carrying on special traditions can be an important part of
keeping a loved one’s memory alive. While there should be no pressure to perform Halloween
rituals if your heart isn’t in it, doing so can be both fun and healing.
2. CREATE NEW TRADITIONS
You may be at a loss for how to celebrate Halloween without your loved one there. Traditions
from the past may bring up emotional memories of the deceased, but finding new and different
ways to celebrate can be a great alternative. New traditions may involve other friends and family
members, different locations, and even taking a break from the holiday altogether.
3. ALLOW YOURSELF TO HAVE FUN
Those in deep mourning may feel like nothing will ever be fun again. And when enjoyment
finally begins to seep in, many grievers find it more guilt-inducing than anything else. It’s normal
to avoid festivities, but part of moving forward in grief is letting happiness in when you can.
There is no need to force happiness if your heart feels like it is in the grave. However, Halloween
offers a potential chance to escape from the ordinary world for a while, which is appealing to
some people who need a break from mourning.
4. VISIT THEIR GRAVE
Halloween is the season to socialize with the dead. If your loved one is buried in a cemetery,
or if there is another monument in honor of them, visit that location and pay your respects.
There’s no better time than in the crisp autumn months to visit a graveyard and remember
those who have passed.
5. GIVE BACK
Sometimes the best way to honor one who has passed is to give back to the living. In the
context of Halloween, that may mean throwing a party, handing out candy, donating money to
a charity, or volunteering time to a worthy cause. Doing something for others is life-affirming,
and can help ease the feelings of grief that may arise during the Halloween season.
Excerpt from:
Halloween: Grief, Funerals, and Coping with the
Season of Death after a Loss, Published on
October 26, 2020 by BEYOND THE DASH BLOG
