Seasons of Grief: Carrying the Memory of a Loved One Through Time
After losing a friend, family member or pet, you’ll find that grief doesn’t just disappear. It becomes a part of your life, rising and falling with the passage of time. To help you understand your feelings, the Let Your Love Grow team assessed the seasons of grief — and came up with seasonal grief rituals and memorial ideas that honor the memory of a loved one.
Winter
During winter, days shorten and temperatures drop. More and more time is spent indoors and in isolation, giving you more opportunities to sit with your thoughts. Holiday traditions and gatherings may compound your feelings of grief and highlight the absence of a loved one.
It’s natural for sadness to feel intense during this season. In fact, nearly 5 percent of the U.S. population experiences seasonal depression every year.
Taking a moment to bring your loved one’s memory to life may help you find joy in grief. The Let Your Love Grow team recommends the following winter grief rituals and memorial ideas:
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Make a memory quilt. You can transform t-shirts, sweaters or other clothing items into a dedicated memory quilt. This can help you hold your loved one’s memory close each night — and keep you warm in all seasons of grief.
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Create custom ornaments. You can use dried flowers, pictures and handwritten notes to make ornaments honoring someone who has passed. This allows you to bring the memory of a loved one into the holiday season.
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Plant an indoor memorial plant. Low-maintenance potted plants, such as snake plants, pothos and peace lilies, add color when the world feels dreary. Plus, soil mixtures from Let Your Love Grow allow you to incorporate ashes safely.
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Donate in their honor. Your loved one likely had a cause close to their heart, such as cancer research or animal welfare. Making a donation to their favorite charity may help you feel that their impact continues.
Spring
After the quiet of winter, spring brings renewed energy to the world. Days get longer, wildlife emerges and flowers bloom. People begin celebrating the return of warmth, but seeing people getting more active may spark a bit of sadness. It can be hard to see the world moving on when you miss someone dear to you.
Getting out in nature may be just the thing you need during these seasons of grief. The Let Your Love Grow team recommends trying the following spring grief rituals and memorial ideas:
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Start a memorial garden. Moist soil, low sunlight and moderate temperatures make spring the perfect time to plant perennials, such as tulips. Plus, you can use soil mixtures from Let Your Love Grow to incorporate their ashes into the garden safely.
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Create a garden stone. You can DIY a stone for your garden or yard with pictures, quotes and important dates. The act of creating the stone may help you find joy in grief — plus, it gives you a special place to connect with the memory of a loved one.
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Host a release ceremony. Releasing lanterns or balloons for a loved one symbolizes letting go. Check your local regulations beforehand and always use biodegradable materials.
Summer
Summer is a season of sunshine and social events. The days stretch on longer, inviting us to step out of our routines to get outdoors, take a vacation or meet with the people we love. However, the joy of the season may contrast with grief — amplifying the feeling that you’re “out of sync” with the rest of the world.
Of all the seasons of grief, summer offers the most opportunities to find joy in grief. The Let Your Love Grow team recommends trying the following summer grief rituals and memorial ideas:
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Check items off their bucket list. Your loved one likely had activities they wanted to try and places they wanted to go. Checking one off their list may create a new connection with your friend or family member after they pass.
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Connect with nature. Studies show that exposure to green spaces increases positive emotions. Visiting a hiking trail or a local park may bring you a sense of peace when grief feels heavy.
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Host a picnic or barbecue. Celebrations of life don’t need to be difficult. Invite your family and friends to attend a picnic or barbecue at home, where you can serve your loved one’s favorite foods and exchange your favorite memories.
Fall
After the excitement of summer, fall acts as a season of change. Evenings get darker, skies get grayer and leaves change. People in mourning may find that the constant change mirrors the seasons of grief.
However, fall offers unique opportunities to honor the memory of a loved one. The Let Your Love Grow team recommends trying the following fall grief rituals and memorial ideas:
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Light a candle. Across cultures, light symbolizes life, hope and guidance. Lighting a candle each day can become an important ritual of remembrance when you miss someone dear to you.
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Plant a tree. Fall brings cool temperatures and rain, making it the best time of year for root establishment. Pick a tree fit for your climate, such as a maple for the Midwest or a magnolia for the Southeast. If your loved one was cremated, use soil mixtures from Let Your Love Grow to incorporate their ashes safely.
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Create scrapbooks. Cozy nights give you the perfect opportunity to dig into cherished memories. Creating a scrapbook of photos, letters and other items that hold meaning to you may help you find a sense of joy in grief.
Honor the Memory of a Loved One
Grief is complex, changing as the seasons do. Remember that the seasons of grief, though painful, are a gentle sign that love always sticks around — despite the world moving forward.
Treat yourself with kindness and use moments of sadness as an opportunity to recognize the impact your friend, family member or pet had on your life. You just might find a bit of joy in the act of remembrance.
For more ways to honor the memory of a loved one, visit the Let Your Love Grow blog.
