Dr. Louise Davis, child and family development specialist with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said people naturally notice unexpected events more than the common experiences of life. Even when someone has battled an illness for a long time, their family and friends still don't expect a death around the holidays. The holidays are traditionally a time for happiness and enjoyment of family and friends. While special days can be difficult, don't make the experience worse by expecting the worst. Dwell on positive memories, especially those related to the holidays.
Most people benefit from joining family and friends on special days.
Others may decline holiday invitations or stay for a shorter time. Give yourself permission to change traditions. Ignoring your grief will not make it go away. Don't hesitate to talk about a person who is no longer there and verbalize your thoughts, both happy and sad. Healing does not mean forgetting.