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DMIL suddenly passed away yesterday

102 replies

P1nkskies · 13/12/2025 08:27

posting here for traffic-

My wonderful MIL died suddenly yesterday, my DH was with her. Such a shock and we are devastated.
We have 2 children (12 and 9) who were really close to her (cried themselves to sleep last night).
I’m doing my Christmas shopping for them this morning with tears just rolling down my cheeks.
The question running through my head this morning is how to best ‘do’ Christmas this year for them? Any advice from people who have been through this at this time of year would be so helpful, or if you’re a counsellor/ psychologist who has helped people through grief, would love you go to pointers for the children.
Thank you, all x

OP posts:
UnhappyHobbit · 13/12/2025 08:31

My Grandma died just before Christmas and we had her funeral on New Year’s Eve. The one piece of advice that I have is to just accept that Christmas won’t be the same this year for you. My grandma was a huge part of our Xmas day and we spent it remembering her and trying to enjoy it the best we could as that’s what she would have wanted. Don’t put pressure on yourself to over compensate. Xmas and new year absolutely suck when you’re grieving or going through a tough time.
Im so very sorry for your loss.

muminherts · 13/12/2025 08:30

I’m so sorry to read about your DMIL op.

Winston’s Wish have some Christmas suggestions and also a helpline which you could ring on Monday morning. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly with good advice Flowers

winstonswish.org/christmas-grief-activities/

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