How to Grieve the Loss of Your Spouse
Posted by: Erin Ward in Grief and Guidance, Memorialization | July 7, 2021
No matter how much time has passed since the loss of your spouse, they will always be a part of you. To help you honor your spouse, we want to share some ideas. We hope that these suggestions bring you some comfort.
Below are a few ideas to get you started. They may not be for everyone, but you can find what works best for you.
Write Down Your Feelings About the Loss of Your Spouse in a Grief Journal
You don’t need to be a master writer to start a grief journal. It’s your own private place with no rules and no one to judge or critique you; it's just for you.
As for what to write, it can be whatever you want. But if you’re struggling to get started, here are a few prompt ideas:
- Write about how you’re feeling that day.
- Share some of your favorite memories of your spouse.
- Update your spouse on what’s happening in your life.
- Tap into your creative side and write a remembrance poem or song about them.
Start a New Tradition to Honor Your Spouse
Whether it’s a solo tradition or something that you can do with family and friends, come up with a new way to remember your spouse. This doesn’t mean that you must stop doing old traditions that you did with your spouse. You can continue to do those on your own or with the support of loved ones. Or, understandably, if they’re too painful to do without your spouse, creating a new tradition is a meaningful way to remember your spouse.
If you need some inspiration, below are a few tradition ideas:
- Host a dinner party and serve your loved one’s favorite food or prized recipes.
- Donate to or volunteer your time at an organization that was important to your spouse.
- Do one of your spouse’s favorite activities, such as fishing or doing crosswords.
- Travel to one of their favorite places or somewhere they wanted to go.
Visit Your Spouse’s Gravesite or Ash Scattering Location
Visting your spouse’s gravesite or ash scattering location could be another new tradition, as well. You could bring your family and friends along for support or go by yourself if you want some privacy.
If you’re visiting their gravesite, you can clean up the grave and leave flowers. Or if you’re visiting their ash scattering location, consider doing an environmentally friendly releasing ceremony, such as with bubbles, which is a great way for children to be involved, as well.
Some other ways to spend your time at your spouse’s grave or ash scattering spot are to:
- Sit and think about them.
- Talk out loud to them.
- Have a picnic with your loved ones.
- Read one of their favorite books.
Make a Memorial Craft to Honor Your Spouse
A memorial craft can be something simple if you don’t want to take on a large project. Or if you’re more experienced with crafting, then you may be more comfortable doing a more difficult project. No matter what memorial craft project you choose, it’s a beautiful way to remember your spouse.
Below are a few project ideas for a variety of craft experience levels:
- Decorate a frame to display a photo of your spouse.
- Create a scrapbook of your adventures with your spouse.
- Use their old shirts to make a T-Shirt blanket.
- Make a memory bear with their old clothing.
What other ways can you grieve the loss of your spouse? Share your ideas in the comments.
1 Comment
Joe
June 27, 2021
Very helpful article, thank you.