Losing a parent is one of life’s most profound and difficult experiences. No matter how much we try to prepare for it, the absence they leave behind is immeasurable. One day, they’re there—offering advice, telling stories, making you laugh. And then, suddenly, the world feels quieter.
Grief is different for everyone. Some people feel it in waves, others in long stretches of numbness. Some people throw themselves into work, while others need time to sit with the loss. There is no perfect way to grieve, but there are ways to cope.
If you’re struggling with the loss of a parent, here are five things that may help you navigate this journey.
1. Allow Yourself to Feel Everything
Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and it doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. Some days may feel unbearable, while others might feel surprisingly normal. You might feel sadness, anger, relief, guilt—or all of them at once.
It’s important to allow yourself to experience all of these emotions without judgment. Suppressing grief often makes it resurface in unexpected ways later. Instead, lean into what you feel, even if it’s painful.
Practical Tip: Journaling can be a helpful way to process emotions. Writing down what you’re feeling—even if it’s messy or doesn’t make sense—can provide a release and a way to reflect on your healing over time.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to record memories, consider Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story—a guided journal designed to help capture cherished moments.
2. Keep Their Memory Alive in Daily Life
Losing a parent doesn’t mean losing their influence in your life. Keeping their presence alive in small ways can make their absence feel less overwhelming.
Think about the things that made them them—their favorite meal, a song they always played, the sayings they repeated. Incorporating these into your daily life can help you feel connected to them even though they’re no longer physically present.
Ways to Keep Their Memory Alive:
- Cook their favorite meal and share it with family.
- Play their favorite song when you need to feel close to them.
- Use their words and wisdom when making decisions.
- Visit a place they loved and take a moment to reflect.
Looking for inspiration? 50 Questions to Ask Your Parents to Hear Their Story is a great starting point for preserving memories.
3. Write Down the Stories You Remember
Time has a way of fading details faster than we realize. In the days and weeks after loss, memories feel vivid—but over time, specifics start to slip away.
Writing down your memories can be one of the most powerful ways to keep them alive. Their childhood stories, the quirks that made them unique, the things they taught you—these are all pieces of them worth holding onto.
Practical Tip:
- Set aside 10 minutes a day to write down a memory.
- Keep a running list of their favorite stories or lessons.
- Ask other family members to contribute their memories—you may learn things about your parent you never knew.
To start capturing these memories in a structured way, consider using the Mom & Dad Journal Bundle to preserve both of their stories in one place.
4. Find Comfort in Their Handwriting
There’s something powerful about seeing the handwriting of someone you’ve lost. A handwritten letter, an old note, even a signature on an old document can bring an unexpected sense of comfort.
Unlike photos, handwriting carries a sense of presence—it’s personal, uniquely theirs, a physical trace of who they were.
Ways to Preserve Their Handwriting:
- Keep old letters, notes, or cards they wrote.
- Frame a handwritten recipe or note.
- Scan and save digital copies to ensure they last forever.
Want to dive deeper into how preserving family stories shapes personal identity? Read How Passing Down Family Stories Shapes Personal Identity.
5. Ask the Questions—Before It’s Too Late
If your parents are still here, take this as a sign: ask the questions now.
So many people look back and wish they had asked their parents more about their lives. Not just the big moments, but the small details—their childhood, their struggles, their happiest times.
It’s easy to assume we’ll always have time, but life is unpredictable. The stories we don’t ask about are often the ones we regret never hearing.
If they’re gone, start writing down what you do remember. Your own memories are still worth preserving—for yourself, for your family, for future generations
Final Thoughts
Losing a parent is a life-changing experience. There’s no single way to move through grief, but holding onto their memories, their words, and their presence in small ways can make the loss feel less final.
Grief never fully disappears, but love doesn’t either. By keeping their memory alive in ways that feel meaningful to you, you ensure that a part of them always remains.
If you’re still lucky enough to have your parents, take a moment today to ask a question, listen to a story, or write something down. Mom, I Want to Hear Your Story is a great way to start documenting memories before they fade. You’ll never regret knowing more about them.