Many on our team here at Cypress Lawn have lost a cherished friend or family member – and we know the holidays can magnify feelings of grief like nothing else. If the funeral was just weeks or months ago, there are questions like, “Who will bake our favorite pies now that Grandma is gone?” Or, “How can I possibly celebrate at a time like this?” If it’s been years since your loved one has died, this season has a way of bringing back feelings of sadness or loneliness. We know this pain firsthand, and we also know how to support those going through it.

We have a long and rich history of walking alongside Bay Area families who have experienced loss, and we always remind them that the healing process takes time. You can’t rush grief, and there is no one-size-fits-all way to manage the complex emotions that surface – sometimes unexpectedly.

But keep this in mind: It’s okay to feel pain. It’s okay that you don’t feel like you’re “normal” self. Losing someone can be devastating with far-reaching effects. And this time of year can be especially overwhelming.

If you relate, please know we’re here for you. Let our caring staff come alongside you when you need it, or consider accessing our 24/7 interactive, online grief support. Here are a few other resources we have to offer:

• For immediate support and to learn more about the grieving process, view our Guiding Grief Interactive Support Video. This will help you find answers to questions about grief and suggestions for your own healing. You’ll also learn how necessary the grief process is, and you’ll be reminded that you will get through it.
• Our Griefwords Library has helpful resources on how to cope with grief, how to explain death to children, and how to deal with the loss of a spouse. Additionally, we have a network of clergy persons who offer grief services to families suffering from a loss.
• If you’re still in the early months after a loss – or perhaps the grief feels fresh today – we would encourage you to connect with our Acute Loss Period grief materials. How you handle this time in your life can have a significant impact on how quickly you begin your journey to healing – or whether you start down that road at all.
• Remember that healing from grief doesn’t mean forgetting your loved one. In fact, remembering helps aid in your healing. We invite you to join us in remembering those you have lost at our Annual Remembrance Service at the beautiful, peaceful Tiffany Chapel on Dec. 5th at 6:00 p.m.

Another way to feel close to your loved one is to stop by the cemetery or mausoleum where they rest. At Cypress Lawn, feel free to access our cemetery map when visiting, or you can always virtually visit your loved one’s final resting place with our Cemetery 360 tool. You might be surprised how much comfort this brings to you.

This holiday season, it’s our hope that you’re taking steps toward healing, while remembering that grief has no timeline. Regardless of where you are in the journey, know that we are here for you every step of the way.