Christmas and the New Year, including the lead up to it, can be an incredibly difficult time for grieving children and their families. It is natural that you may find Christmas, a time which traditionally brings families together, is particularly hard.

Here are some ways that you can help you and your children to cope with grief and remember the person who has died at Christmas. These are just suggestions, remember to do what you feel is right for your family and be kind to yourself, there is no right or wrong way to remember at Christmas someone who has died.

Talk to your children, as a family, about Christmas and Christmas plans, find out what they would like to do and involve them in choices and decisions. You may want to continue old traditions or start new ones. Try to include everyone's wishes where practical  and manageable but try not to take on too much.

Take time to remember the person who has died. You could:

• light an advent candle to remember them

• write a special message on a piece of paper, roll it up and tie it with ribbon and place your ‘hidden’ message on the tree, or you could write it on a gift tag if you don’t want it hidden

• Create a special decoration in memory of the person, for example you could use a clear plastic bauble and fill it with things that remind you of the person who has died - this could include a photo, things in their favourite colour, mementos that you collected together.

• Share memories of the person who has died and write them on strips of paper chain paper and create a paper chain of memories

• Listen to a favourite festive song or eat their favourite food during the festive season.

Share how you are feeling with those closest to you and encourage your children to do the same - don’t hide your grief.  Take time out if you need it. Sharing your grief can make it less overwhelming - friends and family can have a good listening ear or may be able to help in other, more practical ways, like helping with shopping.

Lastly, remind children it is okay to have fun, laugh and enjoy Christmas too.