Holidays can be an especially difficult time in the wake of a loved one’s passing. For many, yearly gatherings and traditions may continue to bring forth feelings of loss and absence. However, in much the same way that many choose to emphasize a celebration of life in their funeral wishes, many families choose to honor their loved ones at holiday times with joyful remembrance.

For over 150 years, residents of Northern Kentucky have held their celebrations of life with Middendorf Funeral Home — still owned and operated by the Middendorf family after 5 generations. Below, they offer several suggestions for celebrating your lost loved ones with joy this holiday season.

4 Suggestions For Honoring Loved Ones This Holiday Season

Reminisce With Family

One of the simplest and most rewarding ways to celebrate a lost loved one is to set aside time to share stories and reminiscence with other family members during a gathering. With the extra leisure time over the holidays, this can sometimes be done informally whenever such conversations arise, although some might choose to set aside time for the whole family to focus on storytelling.

Prepare A Favorite Dish

For the family meal, prepare one of your loved one’s favorite recipes. Again, some may choose simply to include the dish in the feast— it can also be healthy for everyone to share a puzzled laugh about how Grandpa could possibly have so cherished, say, sauerkraut or turkey gizzards.

Visit With Old Friends

Especially for those who return to their former hometowns during the holidays, a cheerful visit to a lifelong friend of your lost loved one can be a great way to celebrate their memory. You may be rewarded by learning something new about your loved one’s younger days, or you may simply relish the opportunity to honor their wishes by sharing a generous spirit with someone else they cared for in life.

Show Understanding

The holidays can be an excellent time to mend relationships with other relatives who also feel the sting of your loved one’s loss. Remember, however, that each person is entitled to their own pathway through grief, and other family members may prefer to steer clear of some remembrance activities.

In the tradition of a long line of funeral home directors, the caring staff at Middendorf Funeral Home understands that honoring a loved one’s memory and navigating grief can be both fraught and rewarding. If you’ve recently lost a loved one, turn to Northern Kentucky’s most trusted funeral home for compassionate help in carrying out the departed’s funeral wishes. Visit their website for more information or call (859) 341-7800 today.