Arlington Funeral Services
Advice for Anniversary's and Christmas
Anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas and other special dates can feel especially difficult after a loss. At Arlington Funeral Services, we understand how emotional these days can be, and we are here to offer clear guidance, gentle support and reassurance when it matters most.
Gentle Guidance for Emotional Days
Anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas and other special dates can feel especially difficult after a loss. These moments often bring memories to the surface — and that is natural. At Arlington Funeral Services, we understand how emotional these days can be, and we are here to offer clear guidance, gentle support and reassurance when it matters most. There is no right or wrong way to approach these occasions. What matters is finding a way that feels meaningful, manageable and comforting to you.
01. Acknowledge Your Feelings
You may feel sadness, longing, anxiety, anger or even relief — sometimes all at once. All of these feelings are normal. Recognising them gently is often the first step toward coping with the day.
02. Plan Ahead
Sometimes, not knowing how the day will unfold can feel harder than the day itself. Planning how you will spend it — alone, with others or somewhere special — can bring a sense of calm and direction.
03. Create Gentle New Traditions
Small acts of remembrance can provide comfort and connection. Some families choose to: create a memory box with letters, photos or drawings, read storybooks together, draw or colour, or light a candle in memory. These quiet tributes can help you feel close to your loved one while gently moving forward over time.
04. Lean on Others
Sharing memories with friends, family or support groups can often make a difference. Whether you talk at length — or simply sit in silence with someone you trust — you don’t have to face the day on your own.
05. Look After Yourself
Grief is tiring — emotionally and physically. Try to include small moments of calm: take a walk outdoors, listen to music, read a favourite book, or enjoy a cup of tea in peace. A little stillness can offer strength when emotions feel uncertain.
06. Be Kind to Yourself
There is no timetable for grief — and no correct way to feel. Whether you mark the occasion, change traditions, or choose to do nothing at all — your way is enough. Be gentle with yourself.
07. Keep Their Memory Alive
Honouring a loved one can bring comfort and reassurance. You might make a memory box, look through photos, share stories with family, or keep something special on display. Remembering someone is not “holding on” — it is often a step towards healing.
Recommended Books for Grief Support
For Adults: A Grief Observed — C. S. Lewis, It’s OK That You’re Not OK — Megan Devine, The Year of Magical Thinking — Joan Didion, Finding Meaning — David Kessler, Healing After Loss — Martha Whitmore Hickman. For Children & Teens: The Invisible String — Patrice Karst, Badger’s Parting Gifts — Susan Varley, Michael Rosen’s Sad Book — Michael Rosen, Straight Talk About Death for Teenagers — Earl A. Grollman. Reading together can help start meaningful conversations — especially when words are difficult to find.
Where to Find Support
If emotions feel overwhelming, additional help is always available. These organisations provide trusted guidance: Cruse Bereavement Support — 0808 808 1677, The Compassionate Friends — 0345 123 2304, Marie Curie Bereavement Support — 0800 090 2309, Winston’s Wish (children) — 08088 020 021, Child Bereavement UK — 0800 02 888 40, Grief Encounter — 0808 802 0111, Samaritans — 24 hours — 116 123. Your GP or local council in Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire may also be able to recommend local support groups or counselling services.
You’re Not Alone
Special dates may always carry emotion — but in time they can also become gentle reminders of love, not just loss. However you choose to spend the day — quietly, openly, or somewhere meaningful — your way is the right way. Whenever you are ready to talk — we are here to listen. With guidance. With care. With dignity.
Get in touch
Contact Us
We are here to support you, please don't hesitate to contact us.
- Arlington House, Ford Green Rd, Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1NX
- 01782818888
- arlingtonfs@btconnect.com
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week