The Many Ways We Navigate Grief and Keep Loved Ones Close

A close friend shared how deeply devastated he was after his great-aunt passed away last year. One of their cherished pastimes was watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta together. Even now, he continues to watch the show and comments throughout, as if she were still sitting beside him.

We often process loss through cultural rituals like funerals and communal meals. However, stepping outside these traditional grieving practices can feel unusual, according to grief expert Carla Fernandez, author of Renegade Grief.

Yet, no two people experience grief in the same way. Larry Carlat, a grief counselor and author of A Space in the Heart, a survival guide for grieving parents, explains that grief molds uniquely to each individual and is shaped by the particular person they have lost.

Recently, readers were invited to share how they keep the memory of a deceased loved one alive. Over 800 heartfelt responses were received and carefully reviewed. Below are some selected stories, edited for clarity and brevity, that highlight the diverse ways grief is expressed.

These accounts aim to validate the many forms grief can take and offer comfort to those navigating their own journeys.

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“My dad loved Hostess orange cupcakes. Now, they’ve become ‘dad’s cupcakes’ to me, and finding them at any gas station or convenience store brings immediate comfort. Although I eat them less frequently than when he passed, they always make me feel accompanied.” — Sarah Luciano, Highland, N.Y.