For many, Mother’s Day represents a day of celebrations. But if you’ve lost your mum or mother-figure, or you are a mother who has lost a child, it can be a day filled with grief and sadness. Even the simplest things can remind us of the loved ones we’ve lost, which is why it’s important to take care of yourself as Mother’s Day approaches. We’ve collected together some advice to help you cope with this difficult time while you’re grieving for a lost loved one.
Don’t feel pressured
Families often make plans to celebrate Mother’s Day. However, you don’t need to feel pressured to join in with them. Family and friends may invite you along to stop you from feeling left out, but they will understand if you don’t feel up to it. It’s OK to say no and it’s OK not to be OK. Instead, do things that you feel are right for you – like being close to nature and having a walk, watching a film, making your favourite food or listening to music that brings you happy memories or distracting yourself with your favourite hobbies.
Write down how you’re feeling
If you struggle to articulate how you feel, you could write your feelings down in a letter or card. Grief isn’t always an easy thing to make sense of, but giving yourself a chance to think about how you feel can help you cope with your grief – particularly when it’s more heightened around Mother’s Day.
Share your loved ones memory
Sharing memories of your loved one with family and friends is a wonderful way to honour them on Mother’s Day. You could get together over a cup of tea or start an online chat if you don’t feel up to seeing people. If you’ve turned your mum’s social media accounts into an online memorial, you can share tributes on there, too. There are also many online communities that bring comfort by sharing supportive messages on grief and loss, like Grief Speaks Out.
Hold a memorial service
You may take solace from holding a memorial service for your loved one on Mother’s Day. The service doesn’t have to be anything big. Simply lighting a candle or planting a beautiful plant are great ways to remember that special person.
Get support at our monthly GreenAcres Bereavement Cafés
When you lose someone you love meeting others who can relate to how you feel can help. We offer a kind, supportive space with understanding from others who are also living life after loss.
Often it is difficult to walk through the door to somewhere new especially when you are grieving. We promise you a warm welcome from our experienced and compassionate team along with tea, coffee and cake. For more information, click here.
Join us for our Mother’s Day Remembrance event
We invite you to our Mother’s Day event on Sunday 30th March at your local GreenAcres Park – a time to honour cherished memories, reflect, and remember those who are no longer with us. You will also have the opportunity to light a candle and tie a memorial heart on our Remembrance Tree
Find out more about our Mother’s Day event here.
Where to go for support and guidance
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the special bond between a mother and her children. It’s also a day to recognise and honour the motherly figures in our lives. But for those who have lost a child, it’s a day of great sadness and grief – one that will undoubtedly trigger painful memories.
Even though losing a baby or child is one of the most difficult and emotional experiences anyone will ever have to go through, we don’t tend to talk about how this special day affects bereaved mothers. This is why Mother’s Day can make the loss of a child feel even more unbearable than any other day of the year.
We understand how overwhelming the pain of Mother’s Day can be. This blog will guide you through these emotions and offer guidance on where to seek support.
Surround yourself with loved ones
Mother’s Day is bound to be tougher than any other day of the year. But surrounding yourself with friends and family and reflecting on precious memories can help turn your thoughts of grief and sadness into comfort.
Going for a walk together can really help turn your feelings of grief into hope. Connecting with nature is proven to help people with grief – after all, nature’s a healer. Find a beautiful spot to explore and try to turn your attention to all the natural wonders you see. If you need to walk in silence for a while, that’s okay. Your loved ones will understand.
You might also find comfort in telling stories of your child, taking some time to remember the good times you shared. Having permission to show your emotions and speak about your loss is healthy, so don’t feel shy in asking your friends and family if you can talk about how you’re feeling.
Keep busy
If you’re someone who likes to keep themselves busy, make specific plans for Mother’s Day and stick to them. Whether you choose to honour your child or spend the day being as ‘normal’ as possible, planning ahead keeps you in control, allowing you to spend Mother’s Day in the way that’s right for you and your family.
Look after yourself
You might prefer to be by yourself this Mother’s Day – and that’s okay. Just remember to be as kind to yourself as possible. Pour yourself a hot bath, watch your favourite TV programme, or go for a run to clear your head. Do whatever makes you happy – and don’t feel guilty for putting yourself first.
Visit your child’s grave or memorial
You may take comfort from visiting your child’s grave or memorial on Mother’s Day. This is a deeply personal choice, but many grieving mothers find that visiting their loved one’s resting place provides the peace and quiet they need to reflect on precious memories.
Seek support
If you feel like you’re struggling in the run-up to Mother’s Day, there’s no shame in asking for help. There are many organisations in the UK who can help. We have listed a few below:
You might find comfort from the many video stories and articles available online from other families who have lost a child, as well as initiatives from professionals who support them. Remember, you’re not alone in your grief.
Join us at our monthly Bereavement Cafés
Our monthly Bereavement Cafés are welcoming spaces held within our Parks, where the topic of death is not a taboo, but an open and honest conversation. Here, you can say your loved one’s name, share your memories, and talk about your grief with others who truly understand.
For those not ready to share, Bereavement Cafés offer the opportunity to simply listen, to be in the presence of others navigating loss, and to find comfort in knowing you’re not alone.
These gatherings are not about fixing grief or rushing healing – they’re about creating a safe, compassionate community where every experience of loss is respected, and every story matters. Whether you come to talk, listen, or just be, you are warmly welcomed.
Free tea, coffee and cake. See here for your GreenAcres local Park monthly Bereavement Café
Join us for our Mother’s Day event
We invite you to our special Mother’s Day Remembrance event – a time to honour cherished memories, reflect, and remember those who are no longer with us. You will also have the opportunity to light a candle and tie a memorial heart on our Remembrance Tree.
Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome! Click here for more information.