When a loved one has passed away, special dates such as birthdays and anniversaries can become particularly challenging to get through. A day that was once special and fun can turn into a source of grief. The team at Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors has outlined a few of the techniques they share at their funeral home in McDonough, GA, for dealing with these challenging days.

Funeral Home Strategies for Coping With a Challenging Anniversary

1. Create New Traditions With Loved Ones

Marking an anniversary the same way you used to tends to highlight your passed loved one’s absence, but ignoring the date feels inappropriate. Creating a new tradition to mark these days is a good balance between the two. Spend the day with your family or go out for the evening with friends to create a new tradition. Being with loved ones and doing something enjoyable will make the day less painful.

2. Try a Meaningful Memorial Service or Activity

Do something that you’ve never done before in memory of your loved one to honor their life. For example, you can volunteer with a charity that supports a cause they cared about, or you can take part in an activity that your loved one enjoyed doing. Planning an activity will keep your mind busy so you don’t focus on your grief, while the meaningful activity will help you stay connected with your loved one.

3. Do Something Different

Being at home in a familiar place that reminds you of your deceased loved one may make the day more painful. You can disassociate from this by being somewhere different. Take a trip somewhere you’ve never been before. Whether it’s a week-long tropical vacation or a day trip, a new experience may be just what you need.

When you’ve just lost someone you loved, funeral services are an important step in saying goodbye and starting the healing process. The funeral home staff at Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors will be here for you during this challenging time, as they have been for other families in the community for nearly 75 years. Contact them at (770) 914-1414 to discuss funeral arrangements.