The holidays are meant to be joyful—a time of warmth, family, and celebration. But for those grieving the death of a loved one, the season often brings a sharp contrast. Instead of joy, there’s sadness. Instead of celebration, isolation. The memories of past holidays highlight what’s missing, making the pain even more pronounced.
As a pastor or lay leader, you’ve likely seen this up close. Maybe someone in your congregation dreads putting up the Christmas tree alone. Or a recently widowed man confesses that he doesn’t even want to get out of bed on Thanksgiving Day. This is the reality for many people sitting silently in your pews.
And the good news? You can offer meaningful, Christ-centered support that meets them exactly where they are.
Your heart to help—and the tools to do it
You already shepherd people through tough seasons, but grief during the holidays requires a special kind of care. It calls for resources that not only offer comfort but also equip individuals to navigate the specific challenges the season brings.
That’s why GriefShare created Surviving the Holidays—resources designed to help grieving individuals face the season with hope and Christ-centered support. Whether you host the Surviving the Holidays seminar as a onetime event at your church or provide the stand-alone book, Survival Guide: Navigating the Holidays After Loss, to people in your congregation or community, this tool can be a lifeline to those who are grieving.
A closer look at the Survival Guide: Navigating the Holidays After Loss book
Survival Guide: Navigating the Holidays After Loss is a compassionate, practical, and faith-filled book that equips the bereaved to navigate the complexities of the holidays in grief. This book is a companion to the Surviving the Holidays event, and it can also be read independently—but no matter how an individual interacts with the book, it offers tools they can immediately apply.
What’s inside:
- Expert wisdom from seasoned counselors, pastors, and grief experts who speak directly to the heartache of the season
- Practical tools and planning exercises to help readers prepare emotionally, socially, and spiritually for holiday events and traditions
- Journaling prompts and reflection spaces that allow people to process their grief at their own pace
- Christ-centered hope that reminds readers they are not alone and that God is present even in their pain
Want to see the book in action? Peak inside here.
Plus, every book comes with access to an online, on-demand video, which you can preview here:
Creative ways to offer this book in your church and community
You don’t need to plan a large event to begin making a difference. Here are several easy and effective ways to distribute Survival Guide: Navigating the Holidays After Loss:
- Make it available in your church lobby or welcome center with a sign that says “Free for anyone grieving this season.”
- Include it in a care basket for grieving individuals, along with a card, candle, or small devotional.
- Offer it through your church’s grief, care, or prayer ministries as part of a follow-up to hospital visits, funerals, or counseling sessions.
- Equip small group leaders or deacons with copies to share within their communities or neighborhoods.
- Partner with local funeral homes or counselors, who can distribute it to families they serve.
- Gift it anonymously to someone you know is grieving, along with a personal note.
- Use it as a conversation starter—ask small groups or Bible studies to keep a few copies on hand and share them with anyone who might need one.
Offering the book in these ways helps normalize grief support and makes people feel seen and loved, even if they haven’t directly asked for help.
Hosting a Surviving the Holidays event at your church
Want to expand your outreach even further? Hosting a Surviving the Holidays event is a simple but powerful way to minister to grieving people during the holidays. It’s a onetime, two-hour session that combines teaching, discussion, and encouragement in a group setting.
Plus, everything you need to host this event comes in a compact kit, which includes:
- A video session featuring grief experts and real-life stories
- A facilitator’s guide to walk you through every step of the event
- Five copies of the Survival Guide: Navigating the Holidays After Loss book (serves as the participant guide)
- Tools to promote your event, from flyers to social media assets
Hosting an event creates space for people to connect, share, and find hope together. It also opens the door for ongoing support through other support ministries in your church.
“Surviving the Holidays gave me insight into what to expect and strength to go on.”
Judith
“There was such a feeling of community and support, as well as practical ideas on how to navigate the season.” Meg
Be the church they need this season
Grief doesn’t take a break for the holidays—in fact, the holidays often intensify it. But your church can be a place of refuge and restoration. Whether through a onetime event or a quietly gifted book, you can offer hope and help to those who are hurting.
With Surviving the Holidays, you’re not just offering advice—you’re extending the compassion and presence of Christ.
Ready to make a difference? Explore how to host a Surviving the Holidays event or get copies of Survival Guide: Navigating the Holidays After Loss today.