The holidays are often painted as a season of joy, tradition, and togetherness—but for families who have lost a child to pediatric cancer, this time of year can feel impossibly heavy. Parents may find themselves torn between honoring traditions and navigating the empty space around the table. Siblings, who grieve differently and often more quietly, may struggle with being both children who miss their brother or sister and children who want to feel excited about the holidays.

Grief doesn’t take a break during the holiday season. But families can walk through it together in meaningful, gentle ways.

Ways to Grieve Together This Holiday Season

1. Create a Memory Ritual
Light a candle, hang a special ornament, or set out a photo in a place of honor. Invite siblings to contribute—a drawing, a message, a small gift. These rituals help children feel included in remembering their brother or sister.

2. Share Stories—Even the Small Ones
Set aside time to talk about your child openly: the funny moments, their favorite holiday treat, the traditions they loved. Siblings often treasure these stories, especially if they were young when their sibling passed. It keeps the child’s presence alive in the family’s narrative.

3. Do an Activity in Their Honor
Bake their favorite cookies, watch their favorite movie, or read their favorite book together. This can bring warmth into the grief and give siblings a way to participate in remembrance.

4. Give Back Together
Acts of kindness can be powerful. Donate a toy, volunteer, or support a pediatric cancer organization in your child’s name. This helps siblings turn grief into love-in-action—a meaningful coping tool.

5. Make Space for Mixed Emotions
Let siblings know that it’s okay to feel sad and excited, or to cry and laugh. Children often feel guilt for experiencing joy after a loss. Naming this openly can help the whole family breathe easier.

The holidays may never feel the same, but they can still hold tenderness, connection, and moments of peace. Grieving together doesn’t erase the pain, but it softens the loneliness. And in that shared space, families often find the strength to keep moving forward—one gentle holiday at a time.