Loss of a Family Member

Articles

  • Grief, Identity, Change, and Post Pandemic Mental Health

    Posted on March 15, 2026 - by Ilana Estelle

    Grieving Who We Were Before the World Changed I didn’t need another reason to mentally and emotionally struggle. It’s what I have always known, what continues for me. There is a quiet kind of grief that doesn’t always come with a clear ending. It’s the grief for the version of ourselves that existed before Covid struck, before uncertainty became the norm, and before we were reshaped by it. We not only lost loved ones, but we lost ourselves. We were quietly expected to continue, to move forward, but not everyone has been able to do that. Long-Covid is something many […]

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  • Skating for My Beloved Sisters

    Posted on February 26, 2026 - by Judy Lipson

    Skating is a sport I shared with my beloved sisters. When we were young girls, we proudly carried our skates in plaid bags and raced to be the first ones on the ice. Margie, my older sister, the most talented, Jane, the youngest, was athletic, and I, the middle sister, a bit of a klutz. Little did I know that skating would become the chord that would bind me, honor, and remember, and forever find peace and joy with my sisters.   Throughout my life, somehow the ice called me, a pull I never quite understood, my happy place, where […]

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  • A Lighthearted Valentine Evolved Into a Lasting Commitment. A commitment in life and in death.

    Posted on February 14, 2026 - by Nan Zastrow

    ““ Success in marriage is more than finding the right person. It’s becoming the right person.” Many of us had those “puppy love crushes” in our teenage years with no expectation of it leading to the altar. I purchased a cute Valentine’s Day card for a “guy” I was dating on-again, off-again. There was no intention in mind other than to get his attention with a bit of lighthearted humor. For all I knew, he could have promptly discarded the greeting card. On the front of the valentine was a picture of a sad, droopy hound dog  and the words: […]

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  • New Year, Old Grief: Now What?

    Posted on January 20, 2026 - by Maria Kubitz

    Another New Year’s celebration has come and gone. For me, the reality of another year my daughter didn’t live to see is a painful one. Even many years after her death. Whether your grief is fresh or seasoned, New Year’s celebration and traditions of new beginnings in the form of yearly resolutions can be extremely painful. I often describe it as a “slap in the face” reminder that the world has moved on without my daughter—while I still think of her and miss her every day. It all started in September 2009, when my 4-year-old daughter died in a sudden, […]

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  • We Are Extraordinary Parents

    Posted on January 5, 2026 - by Larry Carlat

    I’ve always found it strange that there’s no word for a parent who loses a child. Why do widows, widowers, and orphans get to have all the fun? I think it’s time for someone to right this wrong.   Bear with me for a moment as I reaffirm what you already know: children aren’t supposed to die before their parents. That’s just not the way life should work. We give birth to children or adopt them, we love and nurture them, we raise them, they grow up, we grow old, and then we die. The circle of life, sunrise, sunset, […]

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  • The Ash Rose Grief, Art, and Love that Transforms

    Posted on December 25, 2025 - by ianmccartor

    In our culture, grief is often something we are expected to move through quietly and efficiently. After the funeral, after the condolences fade, families are handed the ashes of someone they love and then left largely on their own to figure out what healing looks like. There is an unspoken expectation of “closure,” as if love ends where a life does. But what if grief is not something to close, but something to continue? I came to this question through two worlds that have shaped my life – hospice nursing and the arts. As a hospice nurse, I have sat […]

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  • Mourners Pass

    Posted on December 23, 2025 - by Perry Grosser

    It is the holiday season, and in those first year or two, the pain of not having my son home for the holidays was overwhelming. What hurt most was his absence—no longer buying him his eight Chanukah gifts, not watching him light his menorah alongside his sister’s, and alongside the family menorah that my wife and I light together.  Going to my in-laws’ home on Christmas was just as difficult, seeing gifts under the tree for everyone except him. Simply knowing he was not there was emotionally draining for us, year after year.  Over the years, this particular pain has eased little […]

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  • Grief and Aikido: Relaxing Under Pressure

    Posted on December 5, 2025 - by gyanirichards

     “Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train.” — Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido Grief is one of the deepest kinds of spiritual work we will ever do because it arises from the deepest parts of who we are. As we explore these depths, we discover one of the most fundamental human behaviors, which is the reflexive habit of turning away from pain. Everything in our mental, physical, and emotional DNA tells us to avoid discomfort at all costs. We are wired to seek pleasure and to avoid pain. But this habit to avoid […]

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  • Reclaiming the Appetite: Learning to Feed Myself Again

    Posted on November 20, 2025 - by JenniferSuki

    For a long time, my go-to stress mode was restriction. Not just with food, but with everything.  When life felt uncertain, I’d tighten my grip. Shrink my schedule. Shrink my appetite. Shrink myself.  It was a way of controlling what I could. A survival reflex from years of starving out my own needs while serving everyone else’s. The irony is that I built a life feeding others, yet often forgot to feed myself.  Grief made that pattern louder. It’s strange how something can feel heavy and hollow at the same time. The weight of loss. The emptiness of absence. The […]

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  • How to Face Milestone Dates After a Loss

    Posted on November 15, 2025 - by Dr. Audrey Davidheiser

    As time progresses, new reasons to mourn may rap on your door. Birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, major holidays—even seemingly innocuous events may reignite sorrow. A veil of tears might distort your vision as your grandchild toddles around. If only my husband could see his latest grandchild learn to walk. Conversely, if your child died or went missing, the growth of other people’s kids might activate strong reactions. Consider revisiting this book then.   It is also helpful to face significant dates with a ritual. According to Drs. Evan Imber-Black and Janine Roberts, “when healing rituals have not occurred, or have been […]

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  • The Day I Truly Lost My Father: How Grief Became My Greatest Teacher and Led me Back to Myself.

    Posted on October 24, 2025 - by Rachelle Muschamp

    The last time that I saw my father, I was 7. He died when I was 28. But I truly lost him at 43 Grief. Such a complex topic—one that we do not speak about enough. Grief shows up in many situations; it is not only about the passing of a loved one. In reality, we are all faced with grief throughout our lives, often on a subconscious level. And we rush through those events without honoring them for what they truly are: rites of passage—moments that mark profound transitions and have the power to transform us completely. Running From […]

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  • Grieving the Self We Lost Along the Way

    Posted on October 16, 2025 - by maya-fleischer

    When we think of grief, most of us picture the loss of someone we love. Yet there is another kind of grief, quieter and often unnamed: the grief of losing touch with parts of ourselves. For some, early trauma or difficult experiences meant silencing our voice, hiding our needs, or abandoning joy in order to stay safe. These strategies helped us survive. But later in life, we may realize how much of ourselves has been left behind. That realization can feel like grief — because it is. This form of grief doesn’t come with rituals or sympathy cards. It doesn’t […]

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  • When a Parent is Ninety: Grieving the Loss of a Child

    Posted on September 11, 2025 - by RichardEBristol

    When a Parent is Ninety: Grieving the Loss of a ChildGrief has no expiration date. Whether you are thirty or ninety, the loss of a child shakes the soul. For a 90-year-old parent, this loss can feel especially disorienting — as if the natural order of life has been reversed. No matter how many years have passed, a parent never stops being a parent, and the heart never stops longing for the child it has loved.The Butterfly and the Empty BranchImagine a butterfly resting on a branch — delicate, vibrant, part of the garden’s beauty. It is late in the […]

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  • Ending Your Life Is Not the Answer

    Posted on February 28, 2025 - by Stan Popovich

    Ending Your Life Is Not the Answer You are at the end of your rope, and you can’t take it any much longer. You are in pain and you are suffering and you feel there is no hope. The first thing that you need to do is to seek the services of a professional counselor. As a published author of a managing fear book and as a layman, here are five reasons why suicide is not an option to your problems. Things Change Over Time Regardless of your situation, things do not stay the same. You may feel very bad […]

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  • Five Ways to Get Through the Holidays (When You’re Not Feeling Ho Ho Hopeful)

    Posted on December 22, 2024 - by Heidi Gessner

    Five Ways to Get Through the Holidays Holidays can be difficult when someone you love has died. Or you’ve lost your job. Or an important relationship has ended. It can be hard to watch others being joyful and merry while your life feels joyless. You may need to be more intentional about your plans this year. Here are 5 innovative ways you can get through (and maybe even enjoy them). Light a candle. Engage in a meaningful ritual. Set aside some intentional quiet time to think of your loved one (and your life). Perhaps write a letter letting him or […]

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  • Five Tips After the Death of a Child

    Posted on December 18, 2024 - by Fran Gerstein

    Five Tips After the Death of a Child From the moment you get the news that your child has died, you are thrust into a surreal world. People are calling—including doctors, nurses, detectives, police, coroners, and funeral directors. You are disoriented, yet there are decisions that require your attention and macabre tasks you must attend to. Most of us rise to the occasion and react later. When you look back, you will undoubtedly wonder, “How did I get through that?” You will also be emotionally and physically confused for a long time. Take care of your mind and body and […]

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  • Making the Most of Your Bedside Visits: Tips for Patients

    Posted on December 18, 2024 - by Bernie Siegel

    Making the Most of Bedside Visits Whether you are convalescing at home or are in a hospital or other facility right now, there are some simple things you can do with a loved one or companion – that will feel good and also help you to heal. In the hospital setting, you may be in the care of a physical therapist. Such a specialist can help you work wonders on the way towards recovery.  But the demands on their time are such that your needs for physical exercise cannot be met by them alone. Time is of the essence here; […]

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  • mothers journey understanding grief

    Understanding Pregnancy Loss: One Mother’s Journey of Love and Grief

    Posted on December 15, 2024 - by Gloria Horsley

    The profound impact of pregnancy loss often goes unspoken in society, yet it affects countless families each year. Through the story of Lindsey Henke, a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, we gain insight into the complex journey of loss, grief, and healing that follows the death of a baby. A Life-Changing Moment In 2012, Lindsey Henke experienced what no expectant parent should ever face. After a seemingly normal 40-week pregnancy with her daughter Nora, she noticed reduced fetal movement the night before her scheduled delivery. Upon arrival at the hospital, Lindsey and her husband received devastating news: their baby […]

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  • navigating holiday grief

    Practical Strategies for Holiday Survival

    Posted on December 11, 2024 - by Gloria Horsley

    The holiday season can be particularly challenging for those who have lost loved ones. In a heartfelt discussion on the Open to Hope Conversations podcast, Dr. Gloria Horsley and her daughters, Dr. Heidi Horsley and Rebecca Barra, shared their personal experiences and professional insights about managing grief during the holidays. Understanding Holiday Grief The first holiday season after losing a family member often proves to be the most difficult. Rebecca Barra, who lost her father four years ago, initially resisted setting up holiday decorations or participating in festivities. Despite having four children, she struggled with acknowledging the holidays without her […]

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  • Finding Hope Through Breathwork

    Posted on December 2, 2024 - by Stephen Stott

    Finding Hope Through Breathwork Grief is a universal experience, yet it is deeply personal. It touches every corner of our lives, reshaping our identities, relationships, and even our understanding of the world. For some, it comes like a tidal wave, sudden and overpowering. For others, it settles in slowly, like a fog that doesn’t lift. No matter how grief manifests, it often brings questions we don’t know how to answer: How do I move forward? Can I ever feel whole again? As someone who has walked this path, I’ve learned that grief doesn’t just affect the heart or mind—it takes […]

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  • Valuable Lessons about Holiday Grief

    Posted on December 1, 2024 - by Nan Zastrow

    Valuable Lessons about Holiday Grief “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”  (Russell M. Nelson) Holidays were always a Big Deal in our family until the death of my son. They began with family and friends gathering for Halloween costume parties and ended only when the calendar flipped to a new year. The only thing that could make them better was if the next year could be better than the last! When my son died in 1993, we made a lot of changes […]

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  • navigating loss insights

    Grief Tips from an Ayurveda Practitioner

    Posted on November 19, 2024 - by Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley

    In a recent episode of Open to Hope Conversations, Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley welcomed Dr. Shweta Vikram, an international speaker, best-selling author, and Ayurvedic practitioner. Dr. Vikram shared valuable insights on coping with grief and loss, drawing from her personal experiences and professional expertise. A Journey Through Loss Dr. Vikram’s connection to grief and loss runs deep. Her early experiences with the loss of her grandfather and aunt shaped her understanding of grief. Later, she faced the profound loss of both her father and father-in-law within two days of each other, which became the inspiration for her […]

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  • Top 10 Podcasts for Grief, Loss and Healing

    Posted on November 11, 2024 - by Heidi Horsley

    Grief is a deeply personal journey, and while everyone’s experience is different, listening to others share their stories and insights can be incredibly comforting and healing. Podcasts about grief offer a range of perspectives, from experts in mental health and mindfulness to everyday people sharing their personal stories. Here’s a list of top grief podcasts that provide valuable support, empathy, and understanding for those navigating loss. 1. Open to Hope Podcast The Open to Hope Podcast, hosted by Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley, is a powerful resource for individuals dealing with loss. Drawing from personal experiences and professional […]

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  • Tools to Ease ‘Catastrophizing’

    Posted on November 4, 2024 - by Nalda Seidman

    Tools to Ease ‘Catastrophizing’ My husband and I are Digital Nomads who work remotely and travel, and for the most part, it is fun and interesting. In early grief, however, after I lost my 20-year-old son to suicide, I never thought I’d leave my home, much less travel around the world. Getting out of bed and feeding myself was a major triumph in the months after my loss. Aside from overwhelming grief, I had a sense of dread and foreboding. I was certain I’d lose my husband or another family member next. The world felt unsafe, and my home was […]

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  • Re-imagining Hope After Trauma

    Posted on October 6, 2024 - by Lori Grande

    Re-imagining Hope The silent voice of trauma lies idle in the body. Years of dormancy may be followed by its unexpected impact, often on the precipice of healing.  As I fought for justice in my brother’s unsolved homicide, I knew I was losing my life. Over nineteen years, that awareness never became clearer to me than the moment I learned I had breast cancer.  My fight for justice, which ushered in the decline of my health, also initiated a creative approach to rise above the unresolved and touch the edge of hope. Engaging with Stress Stress can be a positive […]

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  • Immediately After a Suicide: Three Things to Remember

    Posted on August 26, 2024 - by Bob Baugher

    As you begin to take in the reality of the loss of your loved one by suicide, there are three things to remember: Take Care of Yourself Right now, you may not feel like anything matters. You have been psychologically wounded by this death, and as with any injury, you will have to focus for a while on finding ways to cope with the pain and take care of yourself. No One Cannot Do This Alone You will have to find ways of surviving that work for you. They will not necessarily be the same methods of coping used by […]

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  • What to Do When the Casseroles Stop Coming: First Anniversary of the Death

    Posted on July 30, 2024 - by Mary Joye

    First Anniversary of the Death About three weeks after a funeral, most people stop checking on you. The offerings become a smattering of well wishes and hopes you’re doing “better”. However, you might not be “better”. The anniversary of a loved one’s passing, particularly the first, sometimes is the toughest. Many books say that one year is “long enough” to grieve. One year may be enough for some, but for others, especially people with small or dysfunctional families, it may not be. If your loved one died of a violent act, the grief may last a lifetime. And no matter the […]

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  • Daisy A Day

    Posted on March 5, 2026 - by Harriet Hodgson

    Just like you, Harriet Hodgson has lost loved ones. Just like you, she sought help. When Harriet couldn’t find the help she wanted, she wrote Daisy a Day, 365 short readings about coping with grief. Her tender, thoughtful words can help you find your healing path and keep walking toward the future. Daisy a Day is the hug you need.

  • Grief Doodling

    Posted on February 20, 2026 - by Harriet Hodgson

    From the very first page, Grief Doodling invites action. Topics range from the benefits of doodling to why doodling is fun to doodling tips and responding to doodling prompts. The prompts, based on grief research, promote self-worth and healing. This is a hopeful book—something all grieving kids need.

  • Spiritual Woman

    Posted on February 18, 2026 - by Harriet Hodgson

    Spiritual Woman is like a dear friend, at your side when needed, reliable and ready to help. From the first page to the last, this daily guide empowers you. Read it in chronological order or pick any page and start reading. Keep Spiritual Woman on your bedside table. Stick it in your backpack or purse. Give a copy to a friend or colleague. Tell other women about it too, for we’re all in this life together.

  • Grief In Your Own Words

    Posted on February 13, 2026 - by Harriet Hodgson

    Feel like you’re stuck in grief? Write your way out by following the steps in this concise, easy-to-use book. You need to tell your grief story. This book helps you do it with tips on your thinking place, writing place, how to write, what to write, and resources to boost your spirits. Grief in Your Words helps you create a path to the future.

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  • Episode 246: Managing Expectations and Anger in Grief

    Posted on August 4, 2025 - by admin

    The death of a loved one often brings up an array of feelings.  How do we manage expectations and anger in grief?  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with her guest Dr. Sweta Vikram, as she speaks openly about how she managed expectations and anger after the death of her beloved family members.  Dr. Sweta Vikram lost her father and father-in-law, this was nine years after the death of her mother.  Sweta is the best-selling author of 14 books, including her latest; The Loss That Binds Us; 108 Tips on Coping with Grief and Loss.  Sweta was voted as “one […]

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  • Episode 245: Navigating Life Without Parents

    Posted on August 4, 2025 - by admin

    How do we navigate life after the death of a parent?  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with her guest Dr. Sweta Vikram, as she speaks openly about how she navigated life without her parents.  Dr. Sweta Vikram lost her father and father-in-law, this was nine years after the death of her mother.  Sweta is the best-selling author of 14 books, including her latest; The Loss That Binds Us; 108 Tips on Coping with Grief and Loss.  Sweta was voted as “one of the most influential Asians of our time,” and the winner of the “voice of the year” award.   […]

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  • Episode 244: The New Normal: Life After Loss

    Posted on August 4, 2025 - by admin

    Does it feel impossible to find a new normal after a loss?  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with her guest Dr. Sweta Vikram, as she speaks openly about how she navigated the death of her beloved family members.  Dr. Sweta Vikram lost her father and father-in-law, this was nine years after the death of her mother.  Sweta is the best-selling author of 14 books, including her latest; The Loss That Binds Us; 108 Tips on Coping with Grief and Loss.  Sweta was voted as “one of the most influential Asians of our time,” and the winner of the “voice […]

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  • Episode 233: Grief Release; Transforming Grief Through Creative Expression

    Posted on December 3, 2024 - by admin

    How do we transform our grief through creative expression? Join Host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her guests, Rebecca Horsley Bara, Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki, and Jordon Ferber to discuss creative ways to release grief. Rebecca Horsley Bara is the President of the Open to Hope Foundation, and serves as a trustee on The Compassionate Friends Foundation Board. Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki started Sibs Online, a bereaved sibling peer support group and is featured in the book, Faces of Grief. Jordon Ferber hosts the Where’s the Grief podcast. He facilitates a Compassionate Friends sibling support group, and runs The Russell Ferber Foundation with his family.

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  • Episode 229: Grief as a Teacher

    Posted on November 6, 2024 - by admin

    Is it possible to learn something from your grief? Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her co-host Alan Pedersen as they discuss how grief can be a teacher. Joining them are, Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki, Carin Mikos, Jan Jeremias, Bill Correll, Jordon Ferber, and Kelli Holst. Co-host Alan Pedersen has presented programs for grieving families in over 1,600 cities and is the former Executive Director for The Compassionate Friends. Jason Wendroff-Rawnicki, is a somatic therapist, who started SIBS online, a weekly peer to peer support group. Carin Mikos, is the creator of Quietus House, and podcast host for In the Gap. Jan […]

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  • Episode 227: Grief and The Preservation of Self

    Posted on September 27, 2024 - by admin

    How do we take care of ourselves when we are so busy taking care of others after a loss? Join Host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her guests Tysha Scott and Anne Smith as they discuss the importance of the preservation of self. Tysha Scott is the owner and management consultant of TS Management Consulting and is the Executive Board Member of Classic Stage Company. Tysha has been a theater teacher for middle school, high school, and college. She was married to Phillip Randall Scott for 30 yrs. until his untimely death. Anne Smith is one of nine children, and her […]

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