Traditions and Rituals can be a healthy practice for you and your loved ones to go through annually.  It helps you continue to stay out of the Denial Stage and continue to stay open to your feelings in an emotionally healthy way.  You may choose to share it with your grief counselor. 


Healthy Rituals and Traditions in Grief Recovery

It can be helpful in the grieving process to develop rituals to help you remember your lost loved 

one. Complete the following to identify some healthy rituals.  Develop a photo album, scrapbook, or journal of pleasant memories to view when you want to remember your loved one. List some memories here that you would include: 

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Establish a ritual for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, and other times. This might include a visit to the cemetery, flowers by the urn, planting a tree, placing a special rock or other symbolic tokens on the headstone, a special toast at holiday dinners, or other actions. List some ideas below: 

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Some people establish a trust or memorial to fund scholarships or contribute to their favorite charity in the name of their lost loved one. Alternatively, you might recommend that people donate money to a specific fund or charity, such as the American Cancer Institute or National MS Society, in memory of your beloved. List some ideas below: 

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What are other rituals you might establish to honor the memory of your lost loved one?

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