Coping with Holidays

For most people, holidays are a happy, festive time of year. But, for those facing holidays after the loss of a loved one, it can be lonely, depressing, and often difficult to handle. Holidays or not, it is important for you to find a way to take care of yourself.

Scroll down for a downloadable care worksheet, complimentary support groups, Tree of Life: Season of Light information, plus additional coping tips and resources.

Coping With Holidays Grief Support Groups

You’re invited to join us at this free workshop to learn tips about how to deal with holidays. Please see dates and times as there will be both in person and online sessions. See more information.

Coping with Holidays Sessions

In Person Session
- Monday, November 17 — 1:00 – 2:30 pm
- Tuesday, December 9 — 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Online Sessions
- Wednesday, November 19 — 6:00 – 7:30 pm
- Wednesday, December 10 — 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Quick Tips

Be good to yourself. Slow down your pace. Plan your schedule ahead of time so you can scale back on activities if you want too.

Acknowledge your loss. Select a candle in your loved one’s favorite color and scent. Place it in a special area of your home and light it at a significant time throughout the holidays. Put together a photo album or collage, visit your loved one’s grave, or write a poem.

Give yourself permission to express your feelings. If you feel the urge to cry, let the tears flow. Tears are healing. Talk to your family and friends about your feelings.

Don’t feel guilty if you find yourself enjoying yourself around the holidays. It is not disrespectful to the memory of your loved one.

Celebrate life. Attend a holiday or religious service if faith is part of your life. Recognize it is acceptable to create new traditions.

Embrace your memories and find comfort in the

Tree of Life: Season of Light

Celebrate your loved ones by donating a symbolic light on Samaritan’s annual Tree of Life.

Donate A Light

Holiday Care Kit

Use this worksheet to remember your loved one, explore gifts, self-care, and those who support you.

Download Kit

Additional Resources

Relaxation and Meditation

Grief Support

Samaritan Center for Grief Support Testimonials

Palliative medicine gives you quality of life, as you define it. We’ve been able to help serious illness patients in Cherry Hill and all throughout South Jersey. Here’s what some of our current and former patients have said about how Samaritan’s palliative medical specialists have helped them.

Samaritan’s Center for Grief Support has played an integral role in helping our family cope with our loss. Grief can be paralyzing, preventing you not only from enjoying life, but really living it. Toni, Samaritan’s unsung hero, is here to drag you along, kicking and screaming, on the journey back to your own life. After 3 months, I sense a light at the end of the tunnel from the torch that Toni and Samaritan hold high to light the path of recovery.

Carl B.

“I want to send my heartfelt thank you to the Samaritan Center for Grief Support. I lost my mom and stepdad 52 days apart last year. The counseling service that was offered to me was a vital part of my healing. Special thank you to my counselor Gopi. What a wonderful, loving sweet person. She will always be a special person in my heart and part of my testimony!” –

~ Dawn P.

The Samaritan Center for Grief Support is here for you.