How to celebrate Christmas after a loss

Sant Boi de Llobregat, December 7, 2020 – During a period of grief, coping with the Christmas holidays can be especially challenging, particularly given the exceptional context of the ongoing pandemic. To provide resources and support for families who have experienced a loss, Àltima is organizing a free online conference titled "It's Christmas... and There's an Empty Chair at Home," which will take place on Thursday, December 10, at 6:30 p.m. To attend the webinar, led by Inma Ferrer, a Medical Doctor and Master in Grief and Loss Counseling, registration is required at https://bit.ly/3omPsKR.

The talk will cover common strategies adopted by those who have experienced a loss to shield themselves from pain during this significant time of year and will offer useful guidelines for effectively managing emotional responses. According to Inma Ferrer, “Christmas is a very important time in our culture, usually surrounded by an atmosphere of joy. However, if you have lost a loved one, these holidays can be a painful reminder of their absence. This year, the particularly difficult context due to the pandemic may make it even harder.”

The conference will be divided into four main sections: an introduction explaining grief in the context of Christmas, taking into account the exceptional moment marked by Covid-19; a second section analyzing ways to confront this pain; a third part providing guidelines for managing this process emotionally; and finally, the presentation will conclude with a Q&A session, where attendees can ask questions or share personal experiences. Questions can be submitted in writing at the time of registration or via the chat during the webinar.

Àltima and Grief Support

In terms of grief support, Àltima provides all its centers with free psychological assistance for families needing individualized care after a loss, from the very beginning. Additionally, in response to the special context created by Covid-19 and to avoid family travel, the company has enhanced its grief support service through a free, 24-hour phone line, allowing immediate support from home. Àltima also collaborates with mutual aid organizations for grief, in case families need ongoing emotional support through grief groups.