Things to Do at Christmas to Remember a Loved One

Remembering a Loved One at Christmas

Christmas is often associated with family, traditions and time spent together. When someone important is no longer there, those same traditions can make their absence feel particularly noticeable.

A favourite Christmas song, a familiar place at the table, decorations collected over many years or simply remembering how Christmas used to feel can bring back powerful memories.

There is no particular way you are supposed to feel at Christmas following the death of someone you love. You may want to continue every family tradition, change some of them, create something completely new or keep Christmas very simple this year.

Finding small ways to acknowledge the person you are missing can help make them part of the season in a way that feels right for you.

Light a Candle in Their Memory

Lighting a candle can create a simple moment of remembrance amongst the activity of Christmas.

Some families choose to light one on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Others light it during Christmas lunch, beside a photograph or at a quiet moment at the end of the day.

Families attending the Gregson & Weight Christmas Memorial Nights receive a memorial candle and card to take home, which can become part of this tradition if they wish.

Place Something Special on the Christmas Tree

A Christmas ornament can become a lasting family tradition.

You might use an ornament bearing your loved one’s name, include a photograph, choose something that represents one of their interests or create something by hand.

Each year when the decoration is placed on the tree, it provides a quiet opportunity to remember them.

Families attending our Christmas Memorial Nights can also write a message on an ornament for our Tree of Remembrance. Each Gregson & Weight branch displays its own tree in the foyer throughout the Christmas season.

Share Their Stories

One of the most meaningful ways we can remember someone is simply to continue telling their stories.

Christmas gatherings can be an opportunity to talk about favourite memories, family holidays, funny moments, sayings they were known for or traditions they helped create.

Those conversations do not always need to be solemn. Remembering someone can include laughter as well as tears.

For children and younger family members, sharing stories can also help them learn more about a grandparent, relative or family friend they may have known only briefly — or perhaps never had the opportunity to meet.

Bring Out the Photographs

Old photographs can prompt memories that have not been spoken about for years.

You might spend some time looking through albums together, display a favourite photograph during Christmas or create a small collection of photographs from different stages of your loved one’s life.

Digital photographs can also be gathered into a slideshow to share with family.

Photographs form an important part of our own Christmas Memorial Nights, where families can include a photograph of their loved one in our Memories Slideshow.

Continue One of Their Christmas Traditions

There may be something your loved one always did at Christmas.

Perhaps they prepared a particular recipe, chose the music, decorated the tree, made a Christmas pudding, organised a family photograph or insisted on watching the same movie every year.

Continuing that tradition can be a way of recognising the contribution they made to your family’s Christmases.

It does not need to be exactly the same. Traditions naturally evolve, and adapting something they loved can allow it to continue as part of your family’s Christmas story.

Cook Something They Loved

Food can carry strong memories.

Preparing someone’s favourite dish, Christmas dessert or family recipe can be a simple way to include them in the day.

For recipes that have been passed through generations, consider writing them down or creating a family recipe book so that the story behind the food is preserved alongside the recipe itself.

Play Their Favourite Music

Music often connects us very strongly with people and particular periods of our lives.

You could play a favourite song, create a playlist of music that reminds you of them or include one of their favourite Christmas songs during the day.

Sometimes a song may bring unexpected emotions with it. That is perfectly understandable, and there is no need to continue listening if it becomes too much at that moment.

Visit Somewhere Meaningful

For some people, being somewhere associated with their loved one feels comforting.

It might be a favourite beach, garden, lookout, walking track, church, café or another place where you spent time together.

You may want to visit alone, take the family, bring flowers or simply spend a few quiet minutes there.

Give Something in Their Memory

A charitable donation or act of kindness can be another way to honour someone’s life.

You might support a cause that mattered to them, donate to a charity connected with an illness they experienced, give to someone in need or volunteer some of your time.

For some families, this becomes an annual Christmas tradition carried out in their loved one’s name.

Create a Place for Remembrance

Some families choose to create a small space at home during Christmas.

It may be as simple as a photograph beside a candle or ornament. Others may include flowers, a handwritten message or an object associated with the person.

It does not need to become the focus of Christmas. Its presence can simply acknowledge that someone important is missing and continues to be remembered.

Give Yourself Permission to Do Christmas Differently

Traditions can be comforting, but they can also feel difficult after someone has died.

You do not have to attend every event, continue every tradition or celebrate Christmas in exactly the way you have before.

It can help to think ahead about the parts of Christmas that matter most to you and the situations you may find difficult. You might choose to attend a gathering for a shorter time, spend part of the day somewhere quieter or make plans with someone who understands how you are feeling.

It is also okay if what feels right this Christmas is different from what feels right next year.

Make Time for Other People

Grief can sometimes feel isolating, particularly during a season when there is an expectation that everyone should be celebrating.

If you feel comfortable doing so, tell someone you trust how Christmas is feeling for you. You do not necessarily need advice or solutions. Sometimes having somebody listen and acknowledge what you are experiencing can be enough.

If someone you know is grieving, continuing to include them can also matter. You do not need to avoid mentioning the person who has died because you are worried about upsetting them. Often, hearing their loved one’s name and knowing that other people remember them can be meaningful.

Join Us for a Christmas Memorial

Each year, Gregson & Weight holds Christmas Memorial Nights at our Noosaville, Nambour, Buderim and Caloundra locations.

They provide families with an opportunity to come together, place an ornament and message on our Tree of Remembrance, include a loved one’s photograph in our Memories Slideshow and share a quiet evening of remembrance.

Each family also receives a memorial card and candle to take home.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2026 GREGSON & WEIGHT CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL

Finding Additional Support

Sometimes grief can feel particularly difficult during Christmas and other significant occasions. If you feel you would benefit from additional support, there are organisations available throughout Australia.

Grief Australia provides grief and bereavement information, counselling and support for individuals and families.
Visit Grief Australia

Beyond Blue provides mental health information and support, including resources and community discussions relating to grief and loss.
Visit Beyond Blue

Lifeline Australia provides confidential crisis support by phone on 13 11 14, as well as text and online chat support.
Visit Lifeline Australia

MensLine Australia provides free 24-hour telephone and online counselling for Australian men, including support relating to grief and loss, on 1300 78 99 78.
Visit MensLine Australia

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.