 Blue Christmas Winter Solstice Service
Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM CT As the holiday season arrives during the coldest and darkest days of the year, many find that joy feels distant, and light feels faint. While the world encourages cheer, this gathering makes space for what’s real. A Blue Christmas: A Light in the Darkness is a Winter Solstice service for anyone who isn’t feeling merry or bright—for those carrying grief, exhaustion, disappointment, or a quiet ache that’s hard to name. This is a space to honor pain, questions, and empty places, and to gently seek comfort, courage, and light together. Hosted by The Center of Addiction & Faith, this service offers a compassionate pause amid the season—a reminder that even in darkness, light continues to rise. You are not alone. Come as you are. Register here: www.tinyurl.com/solsticeservice25  Healing Through the Holidays Grief Webinar
December 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST The holiday season can be especially tender for those grieving. The Compassionate Friends is offering a free webinar, Healing Through the Holidays, to help bereaved individuals and families navigate this time with intention, support, and care. In this compassionate session, participants will explore: Why grief can feel different during the holidays, the impact of secondary losses this time of year, how to approach traditions with intention, and ways to honor loved ones and yourself throughout the season. Register at www.compassionatefriends.org to join this meaningful time of reflection and support.  The Longest Night Evening Service
Monday, December 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM Boise First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2201 W Woodlawn Ave, Boise, ID 83702 The community is invited to gather for a gentle, contemplative service honoring grief, loss, and the quiet truths that often accompany the holiday season. Often known as a “Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas” service, this tradition creates sacred space for those who find the holidays difficult. Held near the winter solstice—the longest night of the year—it acknowledges that not everyone feels merry and bright, or joyful during the holiday season, and it offers comfort, reflection, and hope in the midst of darkness. This in-person gathering includes readings, ritual, and song, offering a compassionate space to honor grief, loss, and disappointment. The evening will begin by firelight outside the church entrance before moving into the fellowship hall. If you or someone you love could use a peaceful place to pause and breathe this season, this service may offer a meaningful moment of solace. This will be an in-person service only. www.boisefirstucc.org  Open to Hope Foundation Facebook LIVE: Grief During the Holidays
December 15th at 9:00 AM PT The holidays can be joyful, but they can also stir up tender and overwhelming emotions for anyone grieving. On December 15th at 9:00 AM PT, Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley will be LIVE on the Open to Hope Foundation Facebook page, offering a compassionate space to talk about Grief During the Holidays. They’ll share wisdom, validation, and gentle tools to help navigate this season with hope and heart. Bring your heart, and feel free to share with someone who might need extra comfort this time of year. Follow @opentohopefoundation on IG and visit www.opentohope.com for additional information resources!  Holiday Memories Event Hosted by Because Kids Grieve
Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM MT Orchard Park Meridian Library: 1268 W. Orchard Park Drive Meridian, ID 83646 This heartfelt gathering invites community members to come together and remember their loved ones while creating meaningful holiday ornaments. It’s a gentle, supportive space to honor memories, connect with others, and create something beautiful during the holiday season. Because Kids Grieve hopes you will attend to create, remember, and share in a time of warmth and connection. For more info or to RSVP, contact: [email protected] www.becausekidsgrieve.org  The Compassionate Friends Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting
Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM Local Time Every year, families around the globe come together to honor and remember the children, grandchildren, and siblings who live forever in their hearts. Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world, this beautiful event creates a wave of light and love across time zones, uniting thousands in remembrance. Attend a local event or join one of the US virtual candlelightings offered by The Compassionate Friends/USA. At home or at a formal gathering, families are invited to light a candle in memory of their beloved child, grandchild, or sibling. Whether surrounded by community or in the quiet of home, every flame represents a forever-loved life. Together, we remember. Together, their light continues. Learn more and find programs at www.compassionatefriends.org/wcl/  Griefhab™ 3rd Annual Healing Together Through the Holidays
December 2 - 8, 2025 The Griefhab™ 3rd Annual Healing Together Through the Holidays is happening December 2nd–8th, plus, enjoy pre-event talks delivered straight to your inbox starting Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27th). Hosted by Griefhab™ founder Samantha Ruth, this powerful hybrid conference honors National Grief Awareness Week — and uplifts all the invisible awareness days and communities that deserve recognition. Expect interactive healing experiences for ALL kinds of loss. Join live in Michigan (location TBA) or virtually everywhere. Leave with practical tools you can lean on when those 3:00 AM waves of grief hit. Each day will feature: 6 incredible speakers, hands-on healing booths & workshops, & a MAJOR Keynote Speaker. Scan the QR code to preregister or visit www.samantharuth.com  ✨ 🕯️Holiday Remembrance Luminary🕯️ ✨
December 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM MT 1200 N Cloverdale Rd, Boise, Idaho, 83713 Cloverdale Funeral Home invites the community to gather for a peaceful evening of remembrance, honoring loved ones through light, music, and fellowship. This family-friendly event offers a warm space to remember, heal, and connect. Enjoy beautiful music, heartfelt moments, and light snacks among others who understand. Free & open to the public. All are welcome! For more info, visit: www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com  ❄️🎄✨ Because Kids Grieve: Making Holiday Memories ✨🎄❄️
Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM Because Kids Grieve Center, 459 Shoup Ave, Twin Falls, Idaho RSVP by December 11 → [email protected] The holidays can be hard when someone you love is missing. This event is all about honoring loved ones, connecting with others and finding moments of comfort and joy during the holiday season. This season, Because Kids Grieve invites children, teens, and families to come together to celebrate memories and create new ones in a supportive space. Activities include: 🧦 Decorating stockings 🎨 Designing holiday cards 🎄 Creating ornaments 🌹 Decorating the BKG Memorial Garden 🍪 Treats & refreshments provided 11/16/2025 Creative Support for Grieving Kids: Holiday Edition - FREE Webinar - 11 Dec 2025Read Now  Creative Support for Grieving Kids: Holiday Edition - FREE Webinar
Wednesday, December 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM CST The holiday season can be magical—but it can also stir up big emotions for kids who are grieving… and for the adults supporting them. Whether it’s the first holiday without a beloved pet, a family member missing from the table, or the disruption of school routines, children often need extra space, creativity, and connection during this time of year. Rooster & Hen Resources is hosting a FREE webinar designed to help caregivers, educators, social workers, and helpers of all kinds support grieving kids with compassion, creativity, and confidence. The webinar will explore how holiday routines and special dates can affect children’s grief, offer a helpful grief-themed book with a corresponding art activity, and share a creative, holiday-inspired way to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. During Creative Support for Grieving Kids: Holiday Edition, educator and author Rebecca Wu will share how art and storytelling can open meaningful pathways for healing conversations during the holidays. Join the webinar via Zoom on Wednesday, December 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM CST. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn simple, heart-centered strategies to help children feel seen, supported, and remembered during a tender season. Register today and share with someone who might benefit! Scan the QR code or visit: https://tinyurl.com/2s45p5pe  Tree City Church's The Longest Night Drop-In Experience
Saturday, December 21, 2024, Drop-In Between 6:00 – 8:00 PM MST Boise Campus Worship Center at 3852 N Eagle Road, Boise, ID 83713 On December 21st, Tree City Church invites everyone to “The Longest Night” – a reflective, drop-in experience created for those who feel a weight of grief or loss during the holiday season. This space encourages participants to move at their own pace, stopping to light a candle, offer prayers, reflect in silence, and find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their sorrow. There will be moments for communion, opportunities to name personal grief, and a gentle reminder that even in the darkest night, hope can still shine. Childcare will be available for Birth – Grade 6. Parents can feel at ease knowing their little ones are cared for while they embrace the stillness of the moment. To learn more, visit: https://treecitychurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2626824  ✨FREE: Holiday Grief Support Resource From David Kessler✨
Saturdays: December 14th, 21st, and 28th at 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET The holiday season can be a difficult time for many as grief often feels more intense during this period. To provide support, a FREE 3-week grief support series will be offered, hosted live via webinar by well-known grief expert David Kessler. Participants will gain strategies for navigating the unique challenges of the holiday season while coping with grief. This series is open to all, whether experiencing a recent loss or grieving a loss from the past. Topics Covered: 🌟 Understanding why the holidays are especially challenging in grief 💪 Tips for coping with the unique difficulties of the holiday season 🛀 Strategies for self-care ❤️🩹 Guidance on finding a balance between connecting with others and tending to personal grief 👨👩👧👦 Ways to navigate complicated family dynamics 🕯️ Ideas for honoring loved ones during the holiday season 🤝 An opportunity to connect with others who truly understand 🎤 A chance to ask questions or simply listen Participants can join live or access replays if unable to attend in real time. This supportive series aims to provide valuable insights and comfort during the holidays. Registration: Sign up for free at www.HolidayGrief.com or www.DavidKesslerTraining.com/holiday-grief-support Upon registration, links, and details will be sent via email.  Happy Holidays After Loss FREE Virtual Summit
The holidays can be an incredibly challenging time when you're grieving. Everything around you feels like a reminder of what you've lost, making it hard to find joy or even a moment of peace. But you don’t have to navigate this season alone. Join the FREE virtual summit, Happy Holidays After Loss. Here’s what you need to know: Start Date: December 11, 2024 Duration: 21 Days Location: 100% virtual, join from the comfort of your home. Tickets are completely free but space is limited. Hosted by artist, author, and speaker Irene Titera, this event brings together up to 20 compassionate experts to offer guidance, support, and tools to help you rediscover light, peace, and maybe even a little happiness this holiday season. This summit is more than a moment of hope—it could be the turning point you’ve been longing for. Let’s move from just “getting through” to finding comfort and purpose together. Let’s make this holiday season a time for healing, together. Register now at www.happyholidaysafterloss.com 11/25/2024 2nd Annual Healing Together Through the Holidays FREE Hybrid Conference - Dec 2-8, 2024Read Now 2nd Annual Healing Together Through the Holidays FREE Hybrid Conference
December 2 - 8, 2024 The 2nd Annual Healing Together Through the Holidays is a FREE hybrid conference hosted by Samantha Ruth and GriefHab happening December 2 - 8, 2024! This event is designed to honor National Grief Awareness Week. The pre-event begins November 27th. This is a 7-day Live Event (streaming worldwide!) featuring FIVE speakers each day! Walk away with every tool, resource, and a community of lifetime support! Attend live or join virtually from wherever you are, and it’s all FREE! Plus, there will be a HUGE keynote speaker you won’t want to miss! You don’t have to be afraid of these events. They won’t be days full of lectures and crying. Healing is about coming together, connecting, and sharing different ways to get through difficult days and times – together. Be part of the change! Can’t attend live? Don’t worry! Join AT YOUR CONVENIENCE from November 27th until March 2025 with ON DEMAND access! Please share this event with any and everyone. No one should struggle alone. As a community, we can bring light to the importance of grief awareness and support. Those who are grieving are an invisible population, and it’s time the world sees us! Contact [email protected] with questions and follow @samanthamruth on Instagram Register even if you can’t make it! Register here: https://tinyurl.com/htthDEC2024 11/23/2024 Exploring Our Grief Through Art: Make a Memorial Ornament Workshop with GrieveWell - 12 Dec 2024Read Now Exploring Our Grief Through Art: Make a Memorial Ornament Workshop with GrieveWell
Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 7:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM MST Online via Zoom (link provided after registration) Join GrieveWell & Danica Thurber for a creative and heartfelt way to honor your loved ones this holiday season. In this special Zoom workshop, guided by the talented Danica Thurber, you'll craft a unique Memorial Ornament using a recycled toilet paper roll. What you'll do: Write a message or favorite holiday memory for your loved one & transform it into a beautiful snowflake ornament. Materials Needed: Thin-line marker or gel pen (black, white, silver, or gold), empty toilet paper roll, scissors, hot glue gun, & ribbon for hanging. Optional: Glitter, sequins, buttons, or any fun embellishments This is a time to explore grief through art and create something beautiful in memory of those we love. Register here: www.GrieveWell.com/calendar  GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays
Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 7:00-8:30 PM MST Cross of Christ Lutheran Church at 11655 W. McMillan Rd, Boise, ID 83713 Struggling with the holidays after losing a loved one? You’re not alone. The holidays can be an especially difficult time when you're grieving, but compassionate support and practical strategies can help you navigate the season. You are invited to GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays. Join this seminar to find comfort, connection, and tools to make the holiday season more manageable. You don’t have to face this season alone. Find hope in togetherness and community. Visit www.cocidaho.org/connect/holidays for topics and registration.  Surviving the Holidays
Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11 AM MST Calvary Chapel Caldwell - 911 Everett St, Caldwell, Idaho 83605 The holiday season presents unique challenges for people who are grieving the death of a loved one, but grievers do not have to walk this journey alone. You are invited to join the one-day class, "Surviving the Holidays," on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11 AM MST at Calvary Chapel Caldwell. For questions or concerns, contact 208-453-9653 or email [email protected] Learn more about Calvary Chapel Caldwell at www.calvarycaldwell.com  Planning for the Holidays While Grieving
Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 6:30 - 8:00 PM EST Join Peer Support Community Partners and SADO.D for a special online event, Planning for the Holidays While Grieving, on Tuesday, October 17th, 2024, at 6:00 PM MDT. This free webinar offers a compassionate space for individuals navigating the unique challenges of loss during the holiday season. Participants will gain valuable insights into the grieving process and learn practical tools to foster resilience. The event provides an opportunity to connect with others who are experiencing similar emotions, creating a supportive community for healing and growth. The discussion will focus on setting boundaries and developing coping strategies for the holidays, while also offering comfort in knowing that you are not alone in feeling apprehensive during this time. Please note that, due to funding by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, these workshops are free for all Massachusetts residents by using the promo code: MASS. Individuals outside of Massachusetts are required to pay $10 per live workshop at the time of registration. On-demand workshop recording sessions are available at no cost, regardless of location. If cost is a concern, participants are encouraged to contact [email protected] for assistance. Register today to begin your journey toward understanding and peace at: bit.ly/sadod-holidays 10/1/2024 Good Grief Boise Presents: Embracing New Traditions, Following Loss - 08 Dec 2024Read Now Good Grief Boise Presents: Embracing New Traditions, Following Loss
Sunday, December 8, 2024 1:00 - 3:00 PM MST True North Yoga - 1512 N. 10th St. Boise, Idaho The holiday season can be especially challenging if you are dealing with the loss of someone close to you. Whether it was a recent loss or one that occurred some time ago, feelings of grief may seem overwhelming during the holiday season. Join them and find support in community, learn how to embrace new traditions, navigate potential triggers & find peace & joy again during the holidays. Register at https://www.truenorthyoga.co/workshops/  Grief in the New Year: A Free Online Gathering
Sunday, January 7th at 4:00 PM PST / 7:00 PM EST When you're grieving, the start of a new year can bring so many added layers of emotion. Anguish over the passage of time, anxiety about the months ahead, overwhelm, and loneliness. Join Claire Bidwell Smith and her colleagues on Sunday, January 7th at 4:00 PM PST / 7:00 PM EST for a one-hour online gathering where they will share their stories, provide coping strategies, and create a safe space for all attending to share what it's like to go into this new year without our people. You don't have to make the traditional fresh start. Gather with others who understand the importance of making space for grief in the new year. A recording of the event will be emailed to all registrants so be sure to register even if you cannot attend the live event. The attendee sharing portion of the gathering will not be recorded in order to protect privacy. Register for free today at http://tinyurl.com/newyeargrief  Grieving Through the Holiday Season
December 12-15, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT You are invited to the Grieving Through the Holiday Season gathering with Mira Baistarr. Join the this FREE 4-day event December 12-15, 2023, from 11:00 AMto 12:00 PM PT. Recordings of each session will be available and sent out to all participants to review until December 17th. For those experiencing the ache of loss, the holiday season can be brutal. Give yourself the gift of grieving consciously in community. Find refuge for your broken, lonely, beautiful tender heart. Register here: https://www.wildheart.space/holidaygrief 🫶🏽  Holiday Grief: Coping with Loss During the Holidays
A FREE Online Gathering with Claire Bidwell Smith December 8, 2023 at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET The holidays are here, and it can be a challenging time for anyone who is grieving—whether your loss is recent or occurred years ago, this time of year can bring up feelings of sadness, anxiety, and stress. Join bestselling author and renowned grief therapist Claire Bidwell Smith on Friday, December 8th, for a free one-hour gathering to explore ways to navigate grief and loss during this challenging time of year. A recording will be emailed to all registrants, so be sure to register even if you cannot attend the live gathering! Register Now: https://bit.ly/holiday-grief-event  EricsHouse Healing Holiday Virtual Gathering
Wednesday, December 13, 2023, from 4:00 - 5:30 PM AZ Time Adults who lost a sibling are often called “the Forgotten Mourners.” Unique emotional complexities along with the relationships and grief of other family members can overshadow the grief of siblings. There is a need for support so siblings have a safe space to share their feelings in response to loss. Join EricsHouse for their Healing Holiday Virtual Gathering for a 90-minute social gathering and workshop on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, from 4:00 - 5:30 PM AZ Time. The event is designed to support adult sibling loss survivors and offer the opportunity for bereaved individuals grieving the loss of a sibling to suicide or substance use to connect to share about their loved one and learn some healing grief modalities. The session will also open up to the group to offer any personal suggestions about what they might benefit from to promote healing after loss. Pre-registration is required. For more information, email [email protected].  Grieve Well During the Holidays Webinar Series
November 20th, December 4th & 11th Please save the dates for the "Grieve Well During the Holidays" webinar series coming this November and December, hosted by GrieveWell. Join them for this interactive, one-hour workshop to learn about grief and helpful tips for navigating grief during the holidays. As part of the workshop, you will also make a written plan for managing grief during this challenging time of year. Registration is now open at www.GrieveWell.com/calendar  Healing Together Through the Holidays Summit
December 2nd through the 8th, 2023 Samantha Ruth will be hosting her first annual Healing Together Through the Holidays Summit. It will be held during National Grief Awareness Week, right in between Thanksgiving and Christmas - when people are struggling the most! Save the dates December 2nd through the 8th, 2023! Healing Together Through the Holidays will be bringing you speakers, resources, connections, and tools to help you get through the holiday season. The event will be BOTH LIVE AND VIRTUAL! You can attend LIVE in Fort Collins, Colorado, or you can watch virtually from the comfort of your home. Or a little bit of both. Griefhab is all about healing YOUR way! In addition to Samantha, a few of the keynote speakers will include Kate Butler, TV Host and #1 International Best Selling & Award-Winning Author, Doug Cornfield & Dave Clark of Pulling Each Other Along and Disability, Dream, and Do (D3Day) Sports Camps and Patty Aubrey, President of The Canfield Training Group - plus so many more, including a surprise special guest! Please share this event with any and everyone. No one should struggle alone. As a community, we can bring light to the importance of grief awareness and support. You can hear more about the event and all the different ways you can get involved on the latest episode of The Be Ruthless Show today on the@samantharuth YouTube channel! Those who are grieving are an invisible population, and it’s time the world sees us! You don’t have to decide now. Just pre-register to reserve your spot at www.tinyurl.com/HealingTogetherHolidays |
Sara J. CobbFounder, My Grief Connection Archives
January 2026
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