Category: Grief & Loss

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How to Find Comfort in a Time of Loss

Finding comfort in the midst of grief

I awoke from a vivid dream around four in the morning. Though my eyes were swollen from all the tears I cried earlier, I began quietly sobbing again, in the stillness of the night. Nobody else was awake in my house. It was just me and my tears, replaying memories in my head like a music player replays my favorite song.

My dream was about my dad, who was very ill. At the time, he appeared to be near death. The day before I visited him at a hospice care center with my husband and two young daughters. We brought him yellow flowers, something cheery to brighten up his cold, stark room. Then, we said our good-byes.

Continue reading How to Find Comfort in a Time of Loss

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21 Beautifully Christ-Centered Funeral Hymns

Beautiful Christian Funeral Hymns

There are few things more powerful, encouraging, and comforting than singing a beloved and Christ-exalting hymn in the midst of a difficult time.

When a Christian dies, they have the solid hope of being together with the Lord, free from sin and pain and the troubles of the world. Yes, it is a grievously sad day, but it is not a sadness without hope. Those of us who remain, including the believer’s family and loved ones, can draw much comfort while expressing our hope and grief through a well-chosen hymn sung in faith. Continue reading 21 Beautifully Christ-Centered Funeral Hymns

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What Grieving People Wish You Knew (Book Review)

What grieving people want you to know

What Grieving People Wish You Knew about What Really Helps (and What Really Hurts) is the full title of a slim yet exceptionally helpful volume by Nancy Guthrie.

You want to know how to help a grieving friend or family member. While you may never know exactly the right thing to do, this book is the next best thing. Continue reading What Grieving People Wish You Knew (Book Review)

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How Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Can Help Your Grief

How to use essential oils for grief aromatherapy

Essential oils are a beautiful aid to the body’s physical and emotional healing during grief. The grieving process is physically tough, and you are wise to help yourself find small measures of comfort and relief through aromatherapy. Continue reading How Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Can Help Your Grief

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What should I write in a sympathy card? Tips & tricks

What should I say in a sympathy card?

What should I write in a sympathy card? You are carefully thinking about what to say in a sympathy or condolence card. This is a good thing! It is very wise to be conscientious about what you say or write to someone experiencing grief and loss.

For anyone who has lost a loved one, you know that there are many things people say with good intentions that are still insensitive and even hurtful.

For those who have not lost a loved one, you cannot fathom what it is like. So it is doubly important to be considerate in how you express your love and sympathy to those who are grieving. Continue reading What should I write in a sympathy card? Tips & tricks

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29 Sympathy Gifts for Someone Who Is Grieving

Memorial Gifts

Sympathy gifts provide you with a way to send a tangible expression of your love to someone who is grieving.

While there is something special about sending a note, a card, or a text, you may also feel the desire to give a gift. There is no reason you shouldn’t do both; send a card along with your gift, or send a gift and follow it up with a note or text a week later. When you reach out with tangible expressions of your condolences, it sends a message to the grieving person that their grief matters. Continue reading 29 Sympathy Gifts for Someone Who Is Grieving

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Celebrating Christmas in the Wake of Death

Memories at Christmas Time

Sweet Memories at Christmas

There’s nothing better than the smell of a fresh cut tree at Christmas time. Perhaps the only thing better would be sitting down to a plate of warm sugar cookies. The kind of cookies frosted over with sprinkles galore. Add twinkling lights and glittery ornaments, and it’s no surprise Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Continue reading Celebrating Christmas in the Wake of Death

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10 Solid, Biblical Christian Books for Kids About Death & Heaven

Death & Heaven: Christian Books for Kids

As a Christian working in the funeral industry, I’ve noticed that there are very few solid, biblical Christian books for kids about death and heaven. At least, they are not very easy to find! As I dug around, I discovered a few absolute gems that are worth adding to your library.

If are a professional such as a pastor, counselor, funeral home employee, etc, you can use these for personal growth or to give out to families going through the death of a loved one.

If you are a parent or family member, several of these are ideal as resources to read with kids to help address grief after the death. Other books on this list will help to prepare yourself and your family for something which we will all experience at some point in this life. Continue reading 10 Solid, Biblical Christian Books for Kids About Death & Heaven

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How to Bury a Fish: Family-Friendly Fish Funeral & Proper Disposal

How to Bury a Fish

Your pet fish – the beloved family friend – has gone, quite literally, belly up. What do you do when a pet fish dies? How do you respectfully bury a fish? What does a fish funeral look like, and how do you properly dispose of a dead fish while respecting the emotions of your little ones?

A fish funeral may seem silly to some. But to those families that watch, feed, play with, and take care of their special pet fish, the death of a little friend can be a big deal.

For many children, this can be their first encounter with death. You will want to handle the situation well so that love is shown to all and peace is known in your home. This means showing respect for the life of your pet, being conscientious of the emotions of others, and at the same time maintaining health and hygiene when burying, cremating, or otherwise disposing of the dead fish. Continue reading How to Bury a Fish: Family-Friendly Fish Funeral & Proper Disposal

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101 Classic Books to Help Children Grieve

Classic Children's Books to Help Young Ones Grieve

If your family or a family you know with young ones has recently experienced a loss, you will want to have resources to help children grive. Reading is one of the best activities to help a child address grief. Stories are especially powerful in highlighting truths about what we humans feel and experience when dealing with a loss. The books listed below are generally regarded as classics. Continue reading 101 Classic Books to Help Children Grieve