1. Finding comfort in spiritual practices
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When you have lost someone close to you that you love, it can be an incredibly difficult thing to deal with. But there are some practices that you might find comfort in to help you work through your grief whilst still feeling like they're still close. These practices may be spiritual or they may be something else but it's important to remember that everyone deals with grief differently and finds comfort in various things. Here are a few ways that might help you to feel closer to a deceased loved one.
2. Light a candle
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Lighting candles is a practice that people partake in across the world in memory of someone who has died. You might see candles at their funeral or in a vigil to remember them. But you don't need to wait for specific memorial ceremonies, you can light a candle in their memory in the comfort and safety of your own home.
3. Letters to a loved one
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Writing down your thoughts can be therapeutic for some as it helps them resolve things that they might not have been able to do before. This process also allows you to be completely open and honest with your thoughts and feelings, knowing that perhaps you're the only one on earthside who will see it. Many people find that ripping up their letter or burning it allows them to let go of anything they were holding on to that is no longer serving them.
4. Mindful Music
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Many people find great solace in music and the process of creating a playlist of songs that remind you of your loved one and playing their favorite music can be quite healing. Hearing certain songs can really bring back some fond memories and bring a smile to your face as you bust some moves around your kitchen with them in your heart.
5. Comforting food
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Cooking their favorite meals might bring you closer to them through an immersive sensory experience. You can smell it, hear it cooking, see the colors on the plate, feel the textures, and taste something that they once got a whole heap of enjoyment out of.
6. Treasured memories
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You'll probably have lots of treasured memories with your loved one, but sometimes, it can be difficult to remember the joy in them through your grief. But there are so many things you can do to help you remember the happiness again, including visiting their favorite spots or taking up one of their hobbies.
7. Let your creativity shine
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To honor those precious memories, you could also let your creativity shine. You could create a scrapbook of memories, a collage, or a piece of art that represents your memories with them. You could even express yourself through poetry, journaling, or writing a song. Some people find this creative process incredibly therapeutic.
8. Visit special places
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There might be some special places that you could visit to feel closer to them. Perhaps it's their favorite spot in the woods, or their favorite shop in town, or even their favorite country if you have the means. Visiting these spots might help you to see the world through their eyes and feel that closeness once again.
9. Speak to them
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Even though you know that they're probably not going to respond, it might help to just speak to them. Have a conversation with them as if they were right here in your living room. If you're struggling with things to say, sometimes just speaking about the mundane things in day-to-day life can help you revisit time before.
10. Collect
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It's always a lovely idea to have a few keepsakes that remind you of your loved one who has passed away. These might be items that they used to own, left for you, or even items that you have collected since their passing because they reminded you of them. You could keep them in a small box, ready to bring out when you need to feel close to them.
11. Keep a journal
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Journalling is a great way for people to keep track of their thoughts, dreams, goals, and memories, and this process has been said to help people in their times of need. In the case of bringing out a deceased loved one, it might be a good idea to include your thoughts and feelings about your loved one.
12. Plant a memorial tree
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If you need a place to visit to remember a loved one, you could even plant a memorial tree. This is especially true if you've not had the chance to say your goodbyes properly, this act gives you a physical place for you to feel close to them. And because trees live for many years, your loved one can be remembered by generations.
13. Stargaze
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Some people find comfort in the sky. Finding constellations and learning about the vastness of space can really help people put our time on Earth into perspective. Knowing that we are so small in the grand scheme of things can really reassure people and inspire them to make the most of their time on Earth.
14. Watch home videos
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You might have videos of your loved one stored somewhere either physically or on your smartphone. Not everyone's ready right away (and that's ok) but when you are, it can be incredibly comforting to watch them back when you want to feel close to your loved one.
15. Try out their hobbies
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If you're looking at ways to bring out your deceased loved one, it might be about time to actually try out one or more of their hobbies and finally see what all the fuss was about. You might be able to feel their enjoyment as you immerse yourself in their world of interests.
16. Release a message in a bottle
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If you need a different way of sending a message, you could consider writing a message and putting it in a bottle. If you do this though, be sure to seal it and be mindful of what materials you use. For example, avoid single-use plastic and release it responsibly.
17. Donate to a cause close to their heart
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You could also consider donating money, time, resources, or talents to a cause or a charity that might have been close to your heart. Knowing that you're doing something to help can really give you a sense of purpose in something that was important to them, bringing you closer together.
18. Get together
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When you're grieving, it's important to have a support network around you. You might not be ready to see people right away and that's fine, but getting together with friends and family to share memories and celebrate their life can make you feel supported.
19. Visit their resting place
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They might have a resting place that you can visit too when you feel like you need to. You can visit them, speak to them, or sit in quiet thought. Having a physical place that you can visit can really help you to feel closer to them and feel more able to communicate with them in that space.
20. Read their favorite books
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They might have loved reading or had certain favorite books that you may or may not have got around to reading. Reading or rereading them might bring back memories of them and perhaps give you something to talk about when you speak to them or write them letters.
21. Create an artefact
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If you are left with a lot of their belongings, including clothes and other things that you might not necessarily use, you could get creative again and create something out of them. This could be a quilt, an ornament, or even something else. Then you can keep it and bring it out when you want to feel close to them.
22. Assemble a time capsule
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Instead of creating an artifact, you could assemble a time capsule. Fill it with various items that used to belong to them with notes, photographs, or messages and you could even bury it or hide it somewhere. This could be a good way of creating a physical space where you can visit them if you don't already have one.
23. Take a walk
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Taking a walk out in the open, perhaps on a route you once took with them or one of your own, can be incredibly healing. Being out in the fresh air, and connecting with nature and the world around you can help you to clear your head of the noise of day-to-day life and feel connected to them.
24. Hold a seance
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When you think of ways to draw out your deceased loved one, stories might bring your mind to the supernatural. You might be tempted to hold a seance with some close friends which is absolutely up to you. Even if it proves unsuccessful in the obvious sense, you might see it as a success because you've bonded with loved ones.
25. Speak to a medium
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You might also consider speaking to a medium, a person who helps people connect with the afterlife. It depends on your own belief system and how you feel about the supernatural world and the existence of spirits as to whether you get comfort from this.
26. Participate in a charity event in their memory
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You could also honor them by participating in or arranging a charity event in their memory, giving you something important to work towards. This could be a sporting event like a charity run or you could even consider organising a coffee morning in a local community centre.
27. Set up a memory jar
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You could even create a collaborative project with other people who were close to them. This could be a collaborative scrapbook or a memory jar where people add their own items and slips of paper with written memories on them. Then when you want to feel close and draw them out, you can open it and explore.
28. Random acts of kindness
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You might find comfort in spreading positivity and love to other people in your loved one's memory. Performing random acts of kindness can go a long way in not only boosting and maintaining your own well-being but also the well-being and happiness of others.
29. Attend a support group
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Support groups for grieving people who have suffered profound loss exist in communities and they might help you to find some comfort and support there. You might even find yourself able to draw out your loved one, not with fear and sadness but with courage, support, and happiness.
30. Find comfort
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It is important to remember that everyone's grieving journey is totally unique to them but these are some meaningful and perhaps beautiful ways you can explore to help you to draw out memories of your loved one and feel their warmth and presence once again.