Welcome
Welcome to our 3-monthly newsletter. We’ve had lots of positive feedback on this regular post. We hope you find it interesting and helpful. If you’d like to revisit past issues, click on Winter or Autumn.
Festive Season
We understand that approaching the festive and holiday season, after the death of someone very close can be incredibly confronting.
You might be looking at a ‘first’ Christmas, NYE or summer holiday without that special person.
Whether you feel the need (or feel pressured) to keep traditions the same as always; whether you’re finding all the seasonal reminders difficult or you’re worried about how others are coping with the loss, it’s normal if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Whilst it’s important to remember that each person in the family has their own unique experience of grief, it’s also possible, that being somewhat prepared for the season, could benefit yourself and those around you.
For this newsletter, we did a bit of a research to help you prepare. We discovered the Happily Ever Adventures blog, where Lena Ameripour shares how she survived the first holiday season after her mother’s death. “I didn’t know how we were supposed to be happy without her,” she wrote.
We put together some suggestions from Lena and others:
- Accept help: Most people can’t mourn the loss of someone they love, completely on their own. Perhaps use the New Year as time to reflect on how you are coping and, if you need to, reach out to get help.
- Lean into tradition: Some people find comfort in celebrating their person by carrying on their favourite traditions: baking their famous recipes, booking a trip or picnic to a spot they loved or even setting a place for them at the table. Leaning into tradition may help you feel closer to your loved one, reminding you of times spent together. Inviting others to join in so you can support one another often creates a comforting sense of solidarity.
- Make new traditions: Others decide to change their long-held traditions after a loss. A change of scene and break from tradition can provide a different kind of comfort. It’s not necessarily about escaping the sadness but finding the space to grieve on your own terms, without having to worry about any pressure from others.
- In memory of your loved one: This could be as simple as planning a special walk after a big meal, playing a board game or watching a movie in their honour. Or you might come up with another special activity to do with others or on your own, as a way of reflecting on their memory.
- Give: Buy a gift in their honour and donate it to a hospital or favourite charity group. Or, volunteer your time to charity organisation.
- Tell others what you need: Your closest friends and family probably want to help but might not know what you need. Do you need a break? Or a hug? A good cry? Try to be open with your thoughts – it helps them to know how they can help you.
- Find joy: Even when grieving, there’s joy — in the foods we eat, in the hugs we give and receive. We might find joy in silly Christmas hats and even in our fondest memories. Yes, we can hold more than one emotion at a time and it’s ok to embrace the joy!
And if you are in urgent need of crisis or grief support, please contact:
- Suicide Line: 1300 651 251
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Griefline: 1300 845 745
- Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636
We’re in the news
We were proud of our full page feature & advertisement in The Age on Sunday, 17th September.
Children’s Book
Recently, it was Children’s Grief Awareness Day and renowned author, educator, and parenting & grief specialist, Maggie Dent, brought a beautiful book to our attention called “Finding Fwebbers“.
Maggie acknowledges the difficulties that can arise when talking to children about death and grief.
She explains “I love the concept of this book and the way it teaches children that love bridges still connect us after death and help us heal.”
Podcasts
We came across this wonderful podcast where Tami Simon speaks with therapist & grief consultant Megan Devine.
They discuss the idea that when we suffer a serious loss, we come face-to-face with the fragile nature of this world. Yet in today’s culture, we often try to avoid or deny the deep emotions associated with losing the people and things we love.
Tami Simon’s books can be found here: It’s OK That You’re Not OK and How to Carry What Can’t Be Fixed.
Your personal experience
Finally, we’re always interested in your personal experience with Tomorrow Funerals. You can send us your thoughts. We’d love to share a recent Google Review we felt very lucky to receive.
“Tomorrow Funerals are absolutely amazing. Such a caring team. They made everything to do with creating a beautiful life celebration so simple, YET so very personal. We couldn’t recommend them more highly..”
If you’d like to add your own review, we’d greatly appreciate it. As a young business it makes a huge difference to new families who are thinking about working with us.
CLICK HERE to write a review for Tomorrow.
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