The First Christmas Without Them: A Gentle Guide
Facing your first Christmas without a loved one? Gentle help with traditions, the tree, their stocking, gifts, and what to say when people wish you well.
October 12, 2026
17 min read
Grief & Coping
The Lovekept Blog
Stories and resources on remembering the people we love. Browse by topic below.
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The First Thanksgiving Without Them
A gentle Thanksgiving grief guide for your first holiday without them: the empty seat, hosting, old roles, and what to say when the table goes quiet this year.
October 9, 2026
19 min
Grief & Coping
Are Memorial Trees Legit? How Tree Planting in Memory Works
Are memorial tree planting services legit? Learn how they work, how to verify a tree was planted, red flags to avoid, and what to check before you send one.
October 7, 2026
15 min
Eco-Memorials
How to Write an Obituary for a Sudden or Unexpected Death
How to write an obituary for a sudden or unexpected death: what to say when the cause is still unknown, wording that avoids speculation, and opening lines.
October 5, 2026
17 min
Obituary Writing
How to Word the Cause of Death in an Obituary, or Leave It Out
Wondering how to word the cause of death in an obituary, or leave it out? Gentle phrasing options, what readers infer, and safe lines for when it's unknown.
October 2, 2026
15 min
Obituary Writing
Death Notice Template: Free Wording You Can Fill In Tonight
A free death notice template you can fill in tonight: the minimum details to include, newspaper wording examples, word counts, and what it costs to run.
September 30, 2026
16 min
Obituary Writing
First Birthday in Heaven: Getting Through Their First Birthday
A first birthday in heaven can hurt more than the funeral. Gentle ways to plan the day, keep or change traditions, and ask people to say their name aloud.
September 28, 2026
17 min
Grief & Coping
What to Do When Someone Dies Abroad
What to do when someone dies abroad: who to call at the U.S. embassy, what a Consular Report of Death Abroad is, and what it really costs to bring them home.
September 25, 2026
16 min
Funeral Planning
How to Write an Obituary for an Aunt or Uncle
How to write an obituary for an aunt or uncle: what to include, how to list nieces and nephews as survivors, opening lines, and examples you can adapt.
September 23, 2026
15 min
Obituary Writing
What to Do When You Are the One Who Finds Them
What to do when you are the one who finds them: whether to touch the body, what to tell 911, why the police come, and where to find help for what you saw.
September 21, 2026
15 min
Funeral Planning
What Happens to the Body Between Death and the Funeral
What happens to the body between death and the funeral: who moves your loved one, how long refrigeration lasts, and when you can visit them privately.
September 15, 2026
14 min
Funeral Planning
How to Write an Obituary When You Are Not a Writer
How to write an obituary when you are not a writer: answer six plain questions, write it like you would tell a friend, and let a free tool draft the rest.
September 11, 2026
15 min
Obituary Writing
How to Write an Obituary the Whole Family Will Agree On
How to write an obituary the whole family agrees on: who to ask, one deadline for edits, and how to settle two versions of the same memory before it runs.
September 9, 2026
15 min
Obituary Writing
Best Obituary Phrases for Every Part of the Notice
Best obituary phrases for every part of the notice: opening lines that work, personality wording, faith and comfort lines, and cliches worth replacing.
September 7, 2026
16 min
Obituary Writing
Obituary Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Obituary writing mistakes to avoid, from tired clichés and risky personal details to the factual errors families regret. Learn what to check before you submit.
September 3, 2026
14 min
Obituary Writing
How to List Survivors in an Obituary
How to list survivors in an obituary: the exact wording, the traditional order, who to include, and how to keep the list from doubling your printing cost.
September 1, 2026
14 min
Obituary Writing