Coping with grief through love, loss and traditions

When the world slows down for a long weekend and loved ones gather to share meals or stories, the absence of someone special can feel even more profound. 

Whether you're sitting at a family table with an empty chair or spending the weekend in quiet solitude, the ache of loss can feel heavier during these moments. 

Coping with grief isn’t linear but traditions, connection and support can offer comfort when you need it most.

The weight of special occasions

Long weekends and seasonal gatherings often bring a mix of emotions. They can be filled with joy and togetherness but also amplify the silence left behind by someone who is no longer here. 

These moments can act as a gentle reminder of all that was shared… and all that’s been lost. 

If you're navigating a long weekend with a grieving heart, know that you are not alone. There are ways to soften the edges of this pain and it often begins with allowing yourself to feel and remember.

Finding comfort in tradition

Traditions create continuity, even when everything else has changed. They ground us in something familiar, offering a sense of comfort when life feels unpredictable.

Whether it’s baking a favourite recipe, visiting a meaningful place, or simply lighting a candle in memory, these acts can help you feel connected to your loved one.

Some find solace in telling stories about the person they've lost, laughter and tears alike can bring healing. Others might gather with family to share a quiet moment of remembrance. 

No matter the shape it takes, honouring traditions is a way to keep love alive.

You don't have to do it alone

Grief often feels isolating, but healing happens in connection. If you're struggling this long weekend, consider leaning on those around you. 

Let a friend know you’re thinking about someone special. Accept the invitation you were planning to turn down. Pick up the phone and share a memory with someone who understands.

Coping with grief doesn’t mean carrying the weight alone, it means giving yourself permission to seek and receive support. Sometimes the most powerful comfort comes from simply being with others who care.

Creating new ways to remember

If certain traditions feel too painful to continue, it’s okay to create new ones. Grief changes us and with that, our rituals can change too.

You might choose to write your loved one a letter, take a walk in a place they loved, or find a personal way to reflect on their presence in your life. There’s no right or wrong, only what feels meaningful for you.

These new practices can become gentle ways of carrying your love forward.

You are not alone

Coping with grief during times of togetherness can be one of the most challenging parts of loss. But amidst the pain, there can also be connection, remembrance, and even moments of peace.

Your loved one’s memory lives on, in the meals you cook, the stories you tell, the traditions you keep, and the love that still surrounds you.

Be kind to yourself. Reach out when it feels too heavy. You don’t have to walk this path alone.