Honoring Grief through Celebrations
Welcome to June—the summer season of celebration, gathering, and coming together. It is a time to honor graduations, weddings, and all the meaningful reasons we find to connect with one another.
Yet for many who are missing someone special, the beauty of the season can feel distant. The world around them may be full of color and life, but their grief can make everything feel muted. This season often stirs feelings of loss, isolation, and painful reminders of what once was—or what may never be.
So how do we honor their grief? How do we give them permission to do what is best for them during this painful season? Here are a few simple ways to companion someone who is grieving a loss.
- Talk to them. Don’t ignore the elephant in the room.
- Acknowledge that celebrations may be especially difficult.
- Invite them to share their feelings, if and when they are ready.
- Give them permission to say no to any event that may deepen their pain.
- Invite them to share a special memory of the person they are missing.
Silence can deepen a person’s sense of loneliness. While it may feel uncomfortable to speak about grief, acknowledging it lets them know they are seen, supported, and cared for. Even a small act of kindness can bring meaningful comfort.
Wishing you joy and comfort as you navigate the griefs and celebrations through the next month,
Ann Dagle & The Brian Dagle Foundation Family