Mother’s Day and the run up to it each year can be a really triggering time for lots of people. It’s a day when we assume everyone is celebrating their mothers. If your mother, stepmother or grandmother has died it can be really painful. It’s also incredibly difficult for anyone whose child has died or if you’ve lost a baby before or soon after birth.
Mother’s Day can also be a time of mixed emotions because you may have several different roles (mother, child, partner, etc) and still be celebrating in some way. It’s possible to feel happy, guilty and terribly sad all at the same time. You may need time, space and support to help you cope with a whole range of different and complex feelings.
Your situation is individual to you and there is no right or wrong way to feel. But please know that whatever you’re feeling you’re not alone.
Tips for coping with grief on Mother’s Day
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Put yourself first
Don’t feel pressured to do anything you don’t want to do. Instead, spend the day doing things you enjoy. This could mean going for a long walk, spending the day watching your favourite films or taking yourself on a day trip.
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Put your feelings into words
Letter writing is a really useful way to deal with grief. Writing a card to someone who has died is a great way to organise your thoughts and make sense of your feelings.
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Hold a memorial
You can do this by lighting a candle, planting a flower in your garden or visiting a place which was special to them. Holding these kinds of memorials is a great way to maintain your bond with the person who’s died. More ways to remember someone who has died.
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Share their memory
Getting together with friends and family and sharing memories about the person who died can be very special and a lovely way to honour their life. You could also leave a tribute or hold an event in their memory (if you wanted to raise funds at the same time, have a look at A Day For You).
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Talk to someone
Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone who is not a family member or friend. You can call the Cruse helpline on 0808 808 1677.
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Remembering mothers whose children have died
For Mother’s Day this year, Cruse is aiming to raise awareness for mothers whose child has died.
Read more
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Leave a dedication
Celebrate and remember the life of someone you love and miss.
Read more
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It’s complicated – grief on Mother’s day when your relationship was difficult
Mother’s Day can be really tough if you’ve lost a mum or are a mother whose child has died. It can be even more complicated and painful if you had a difficult relationship before they died.
Read more
Coping with grief on Mother's Day
We share our advice on how best to cope with grief on Mother's Day
Get helpWhen people bring up my Mum they often apologise – but I love talking about my Mum. Even if I do get upset it’s not a bad thing. She is always on my mind so it’s never a case of reminding me. In a strange way you feel like you’re honouring them, by having the opportunity to talk about them and keep the memories alive.