Advice, guides & articles

Storytelling doesn’t just happen in books. Blockbuster films are telling you a story. Soap operas are telling you a story. Storytelling happens in the theatre and in your favourite pop songs. Even recounting anecdotes to a co-worker next to the water cooler about some ridiculous thing that happened on Saturday night is a form of storytelling. Stories are deeply routed into who we are as a people, so it’s only right that we take time to celebrate this during National Storytelling Week.

A charity runs on the kindness and goodwill of the people that it is there to help. Without generous donations from the public, charities would not be able to do all of the good work that they do. There are many ways to donate to charity or to raise money for them, but in memory donations have become a vital part of their fundraising.

Throughout 2023 we took a closer look at different genres of music, and we shared with you a handful of songs from each that we thought would be suitable to play at a funeral. As we look forward to the rest of 2024, we do intend to look at more genres and share more suggestions with you, hopefully leading to funeral-notices.co.uk having a collection of articles and playlists that will suit fans of any type of music. Speaking of playlists, all our previous articles have now been turned into Spotify playlists, the links to which you can find below. Are there any genres that you would like us to tackle next? Maybe Country or Hip Hop? Punk or Classical? Let us know in the comments below!

With the dazzle of the festive season behind us, January seems all the more bleak in comparison. It’s normal to feel a little deflated in January; while we’ve passed the solstice and the days are gradually getting longer again, we’re still in for a lot of dark, gloomy mornings and nights before we get to the longer, brighter days of spring and summer. Here are some tips for coping with January blues in the meantime: Practice Self-care Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, try to eat healthily and get regular exercise. Each of these things is important for our mental well-being. Engaging in mindfulness activities such as meditation and yoga can help to alleviate stress. Use relaxation techniques to help you unwind and relax your mind. Deep breathing exercises or just taking the time out for a warm bath can help with this. Social Connection Ensure to connect with loved ones regularly, as social interaction can help to boost your mood and combat the loneliness that we are prone to feel in January. You could join a group or club for an activity that interests you, as being part of a community can offer support and a sense of belonging. A book club if you like to read, a walking group if you’d like to get out more, or a cooking class are just some of the options.

As the new year dawns and the holiday cheer begins to fade, January often brings a wave of the blues. The third Monday in January, this year Monday 15th, is often referred to as “Blue Monday”, apparently the most difficult day of the year. However, this is a myth, and the Samaritans have decided to start a new tradition: Brew Monday. They are encouraging people to start a conversation over a brew.

The arrival of a new year is a time often associated with new beginnings and hope, but it can also be a reminder of past pain and loss. It’s more important than ever to ensure you are practising self-care, acknowledging your feelings, and treating yourself with compassion. Here are some ways you can nurture yourself throughout January, to help combat feelings of grief: Acknowledge Your Emotions January is a time for mixed emotions, especially when you are grieving. There can be hope and optimism as you face a fresh start, and sadness and nostalgia as you reflect on the past. Give yourself the space to feel without judgement, and understand that grieving during this time is a natural part of the human experience. Honour the Past Take some time to reflect on the past year, acknowledging both the highs and the lows. Celebrate your achievements and growth, while recognising any challenges or losses. Honour past memories tied to your grief by creating a tribute, journalling, writing a letter, or engaging in an activity that holds significance. Practice Self-care Be kind to yourself during this time. Maintain routines to keep yourself grounded, practice mindfulness, and engage in hobbies or activities that you enjoy. If your grief feels overwhelming, seek support from friends, family or a mental health professional.

I’m going to be honest with you, this article started out as a reflective look back at 2023. I was hoping it would be a warm and nostalgic read to start the new year, but it actually ended up being quite the downer. What happened in 2023..? The year feels like it came and went without so much as a tip of the cap or a jovial ‘see you later’. I don’t think that I’m prepared to let 2024 do the same, so I thought we could look ahead and plan some things to do together in the hopes that this year leaves a more lasting and positive impression.

Winter can be a challenging time for some when it comes to mood and well-being. The darker days, longer nights, and colder, gloomier weather can all have an effect on our mental health. Here are some ways to boost your mood during the winter season: Get Outside Exposure to natural light decreases during winter due to the shorter days, so it’s important to get outside when you can during daylight hours to increase your exposure to the sun. If you are unable to do this, light therapy lamps are an option, as are vitamin D supplements. Stay Active Physical activity can significantly improve your mood. Go for a walk or run outside, or find an indoor activity you can do, such as yoga, workouts, or head to the gym. Eat Well Winter is the time for warming stews and soups, crumbles and pies, utilising seasonal fruits and vegetables. Hot drinks like herbal teas and hot chocolate are perfect winter warmers. Practice Mindfulness Incorporate mindfulness or meditation into your daily routine to help manage stress and anxiety. There are plenty of apps that can help guide you through mindfulness exercises, such as Headspace and Calm. Stay Connected The colder temperatures and darker nights of winter can increase feelings of isolation. Make an effort to connect with friends and family, in person or virtually. Plan cosy gatherings or video calls to stay connected.

Merry Christmas! Our Christmas Day blog touches on festive traditions, remembrance and the upcoming new year. As the festive season unfolds, and our hearts are filled with the warmth of Christmas cheer, it becomes a time of reflection and remembrance. Christmas is not only a season of joy but also an opportunity to think of those we have lost, cherishing the memories that continue to light our way.

As the Christmas period unfolds, the emphasis on family, friends and Christmas traditions can often serve as a reminder of those who have been lost, and those people who are navigating grief can often find themselves facing a unique set of challenges. Here are some ways to navigate your grief during the Christmas period, to help find moments of solace and remembrance to those we have lost. Practicing self- care Taking care of your mental and physical well being is important, especially during a time when emotions are heightened. The hustle and bustle of the Christmas period can often lead to stress so prioritise your self care by ensuring you get enough rest, eat a balanced diet (which can often be hard over Christmas) and engage in activities that bring you peace. Getting out in the fresh air is always a good way to help manage periods of stress and grief. Adjusting your Christmas traditions Keeping up with your Christmas traditions can be challenging after the loss of a loved one. By creating new traditions such as listening to their favourite christmas songs, can help bring you comfort and alignment to your current emotional state. Remember not to forget your old traditions completely as these traditions can provide a sense of routine which may be helpful to those grieving over the Christmas period Limit your alcohol intake It is important to be aware of how much alcohol you may be drinking over the Christmas period. WIth the holiday season often filled with social events and parties, it can be hard not to get caught up in the occasion. For somebody who is grieving at Christmas, alcohol can sometimes worsen the feelings of grief, so it is important to know your limit and be comfortable in letting people know this. Volunteering in the community For people grieving, volunteer work can often be a powerful coping mechanism and with the busy Christmas period there are many opportunities to volunteer and get involved. It gives you a chance to distract your mind from grief and allows you to focus on others instead of your own thoughts. Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to increase social connections outside of your family and friends, which can help provide meaning and improve mental health. Facing the Christmas period while grieving is a horrible position to be in but is one that many people will face. How you cope with the loss of a loved one around Christmas is completely up to you, but remember to make sure you are talking with trusted friends and family about how you are feeling, as living with grief during Christmas can be lonely. Thank you for reading. Don't forget to Follow funeral-notices.co.uk on social media to see when new articles are published: Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn