The holidays can be a tender time for anyone carrying grief, whether through the loss of a loved one or the quieter aches of life’s changes. In this reflection, I explore why the season can feel especially heavy and how to find a middle way that gently holds both sorrow and light. You’ll find simple, compassionate guidance for supporting others, caring for your own heart, and creating meaningful rituals that honour whatever you’re carrying this year.

Coming together in ceremony can transform how we experience grief, hope, and community. Whether large or small, these gatherings offer a space to reflect, share, and feel connected.

In my work as a celebrant, I’ve witnessed ceremonies where families honour life’s fragility, engage in shared rituals, and celebrate moments of joy and remembrance. Even simple acts, like blowing bubbles on the grass, can leave a lasting sense of connection.

Take a moment to imagine what a meaningful ceremony could look like in your own community.

Last night I dreamed my Grandpa Jack was still alive. A week earlier, it was my Grandma Esther. These dreams, arriving as the veil between worlds is thin, have me reflecting on remembrance, on the ways our beloved dead stay present in our lives, and on the tender beauty of keeping their memory alive.