Honoring Loved Ones Who Have Passed: Gentle Ways to Celebrate Their Presence During the Holidays

The Everlight Journal — Holiday 2025 Edition

The holiday season can be a time of warmth, family, and celebration—but it can also be a tender reminder of those who are no longer with us. For many families, the joy of the holidays is interwoven with grief, love, and longing. At Everlight Hospice, we believe that remembering those we miss is not something to suppress—it is something to honor.

Whether your loss is recent or you’re carrying the memory of someone who passed long ago, here are gentle and meaningful ways to keep their presence close this holiday season.

🌟 1. Create a Memory Ornament

A simple ornament can become a powerful symbol of connection.

You might include:

• A favorite photo

• A small written message

• A meaningful quote or Scripture

• A lock of hair, ribbon, or fabric from clothing

• A word that describes your loved one

Hanging the ornament each year becomes a quiet ritual of remembrance—one that brings warmth instead of sorrow.

🕯️ 2. Light a Candle in Their Honor

Lighting a candle can be a grounding moment during a busy season. Choose an evening to gather with family, share a short memory, and light a candle in your loved one’s honor.

Some families choose a single candle for all loved ones, while others light one candle per person remembered. The glow becomes a reminder that their love and influence still shine.

📖 3. Tell Their Stories—Especially the Joyful and Funny Ones

Stories keep legacies alive. Share:

• Their holiday traditions

• Their favorite foods or recipes

• Their jokes

• Their wisdom

• The moments when they made you laugh the hardest

Memories do not fade when we continue to speak them. And storytelling often brings both healing tears and joyful laughter—a beautiful combination during the holidays.

🎶 4. Play Their Favorite Music

Music is deeply connected to memory. Playing a loved one’s favorite holiday song, artist, or genre can make you feel close to them in an instant.

For some families, listening together becomes a yearly tradition that transforms grief into connection.

🍲 5. Cook a Dish They Loved or Taught You

Food is powerful in the way it carries meaning across generations.

Consider:

• A recipe they passed down

• A dessert they always made at family gatherings

• Their signature comfort food

Preparing and sharing these dishes is a beautiful way to feel their presence at the table.

📝 6. Write Them a Letter

If the holidays bring up emotions that feel too heavy to speak aloud, writing can be healing.

You can write about:

• What this year meant to you

• How you feel during the holidays

• What you miss

• What you wish you could share with them

Whether you keep the letter, burn it safely as a symbolic release, or tuck it into a memory box, the act of writing is an act of honoring.

🤍 7. Practice a Tradition They Loved

Traditions can continue—even when the person cannot.

You may choose to:

• Watch their favorite holiday movie

• Visit a place they enjoyed

• Donate to a charity they cared about

• Perform an act of kindness in their memory

Every continuation is a way of saying: You mattered. You still matter.

🌲 8. Create a “Memory Space” at Home

This can be as small as a shelf or as intentional as a decorated corner.

You might include:

• A framed photograph

• A candle

• A special ornament

• A handwritten message or quote

• A cherished item, like a scarf, book, or figurine

It becomes a peaceful place to sit, breathe, reflect, and feel close to them.

Grief During the Holidays Is Normal, and Human

If you feel heavy, emotional, or overwhelmed this time of year, you are not alone. Grief has no timeline, no rules, and no expiration date. It exists because love existed first.

At Everlight Hospice, we walk with families through the emotions that surface during the holiday season. Whether your loved one passed recently or years ago, your grief deserves compassion, understanding, and space.

A Message From Everlight Hospice

As we celebrate the holidays of 2025, may you find gentle ways to honor those who are no longer with us—and comforting light in the memories that remain.

If you or someone you know needs additional emotional or bereavement support, please reach out to our team. You never have to navigate grief alone.