Skip navigation
How to Deal with Grief If It’s Your First Holiday Without a Loved One
Article

How to Deal with Grief If It’s Your First Holiday Without a Loved One



Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Hot Topic

Recommendation

Traditionally, most individuals associate the holidays with feelings of joy and happiness. However, for millions of people living through the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 holiday season will only compound their feelings of grief – be it grief over the death of a loved one, the lack of social connection or the loss of their pre-pandemic lifestyle. Huffington Post senior lifestyle reporter Brittany Wong offers up some best practices for navigating this difficult time. 

Summary

Many people will experience feelings of grief during the 2020 holiday season.

As of late November 2020, more than 250,000 Americans had died of COVID-19. This means millions of Americans will be mourning the loss of a mother, father, extended family member or friend during the 2020 holiday season. The fact that many people were unable to attend loved ones’ funerals or see them before they passed away will only compound that grief.

The holidays put additional pressure on individuals who are grieving, as most people associate the period with feelings of joy and happiness. People will grieve other things connected to the pandemic during this holiday season as well: the loss of a job, the inability to socialize with others, or the...

About the Author

Brittany Wong is a senior lifestyle reporter at the Huffington Post.