The First Christmas After a Loss
December is different this year. Different for my husband and his brother and two sisters. Different for my mother-in-law. Different for us. My father-in-law Max passed away in July at 94....
Grief & The Holidays
Losing a loved one at any time of the year is hard. Holidays like Christmas and Hannukah and the celebrations that usher in the New Year can add another layer to that grief. “Christmas music, holiday parties, and festive decorations that were meant to bring joy served as painful reminders…...
Navigating Grief During Difficult Times
Everyone grieves differently. When the world was shaped around COVID-19, any type of loss posed a different challenge, with obstacles that were new. We searched at the time for different ways to navigate our grief rather than a “traditional” journey. Rituals, gatherings, goodbyes, and other ways we typically found closure…...
Memories Can Be Tricky
Memory is a tricky thing. We remember things we wish we didn’t and things we want to remember we can’t. Anyone else with me? Right now, I remember vividly where I was when the world received word that JFK Jr’s plane was missing and presumed crashed. I have no particular…...
Why You Should Acknowledge Someone’s Loss
Blogger Liz Millar recounts that after her dad died, she remembers returning to the office and feeling uncomfortable because some of her closest colleagues didn’t mention what had happened. “My life had altered in the most profoundly sad way and yet the people I sat next to every day acted…...
6 Ideas to Help You Cope with Grief this Thanksgiving
No matter when a death occurs, holidays are particularly difficult to navigate. Holiday memories of past joys are particularly cutting when we are currently grieving....
A Daughter’s Guide to Planning a Funeral
They raised you, provided for you, and supported every wish, whim, hope, and dream. And now, when it comes to celebrating and commemorating your parent’s life, how do you pull all of the pieces together and both say goodbye and honor their spirit — the spirit that made you you?...
How to Help a Grieving Parent: A Daughter’s Guide
When my father died my mother found herself alone for the first time in nearly 60 years. Since meeting at 18 they had done everything together, from college to first jobs to big moves, all underscored by a mutual thirst for adventure that took them around the world and back.…...
The Complete Guide to Burials
When a loved one dies, one of the immediate next steps is planning the burial. Even those who opt for cremation may choose a cemetery burial, making this a critical consideration for virtually everyone....
Complete Guide to Planning a Funeral
Planning a funeral doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated, but it can feel overwhelming. Start here with Sunset’s Complete Guide to Planning a Funeral. With step-by-step insights and actionable strategies for finalizing every detail, you’ll have the tools you need at your fingertips. Because funerals often happen just days after death…...