Navigating Grief

Larry Moore • November 28, 2023

A Guide to Handling Challenging Anniversaries and Holidays

Navigating Grief During the Holidays

At Moore Funeral Home, we understand that anniversaries and holidays can be especially challenging for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. These occasions often bring a mix of emotions, making it essential to approach them with compassion and self-care. In this blog post, we'll share practical advice on how to navigate these difficult times, offering support and guidance as you honor and remember your loved one during anniversaries and holidays.


Acknowledge Your Feelings:


Grieving is a personal and unique experience, and it's essential to acknowledge and accept the range of emotions you may be feeling. Whether it's sadness, anger, or even moments of joy as you recall cherished memories, allowing yourself to feel and express these emotions is a crucial step in the healing process.


Create a Meaningful Ritual:


Consider establishing a meaningful ritual or tradition to honor your loved one during anniversaries and holidays. This could be lighting a candle in their memory, preparing their favorite meal, or dedicating time to reflect on the positive impact they had on your life. Creating a personal and meaningful ritual can provide a sense of connection and comfort.


Celebrate Their Life:


Instead of focusing solely on the loss, use anniversaries and holidays as an opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of your loved one. Share stories, look through photo albums, or create a memorial scrapbook that captures the essence of their personality and the love they brought into your life.


Reach Out for Support:


Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a support group during these challenging times. Surrounding yourself with understanding and empathetic individuals can provide comfort and help you navigate the emotional complexities of anniversaries and holidays. Moore Funeral Home is here to assist you in finding local support groups or connecting you with grief counseling services.


Modify Traditions if Necessary:


It's okay to modify or skip certain traditions if they feel too overwhelming. Give yourself permission to prioritize self-care and do what feels right for you. Whether that means scaling back on festivities or creating new traditions, listen to your needs and adjust your plans accordingly.


Memorialize in a Meaningful Way:


Consider memorializing your loved one in a way that feels personally meaningful. This could involve making a charitable donation in their name, planting a tree, or creating a memorial fund. By channeling your grief into positive and purposeful actions, you can find comfort in honoring their memory.


Conclusion:


Handling challenging anniversaries and holidays after the death of a loved one is undoubtedly difficult, but it's essential to remember that you're not alone. At Moore Funeral Home, we are here to support you through this journey of grief. By acknowledging your feelings, creating meaningful rituals, celebrating your loved one's life, seeking support, modifying traditions, and memorializing in a way that feels right for you, you can navigate these emotionally charged times with compassion and resilience. Your loved one's memory deserves to be honored and cherished, and we are here to assist you in finding healing and comfort in the midst of grief.



By Larry Moore August 13, 2025
This year marks a milestone for Moore Funeral Home — 80 years of serving families in our community. As we reflect on our history, it’s impossible not to think of the people who shaped this place into what it is today. For me, that story begins with my dad, Larry Moore. In celebration of our 80th year, we placed a bronze plaque outside of our chapel naming it the Larry Moore Memorial Chapel in his honor and memory. This is more than a name — it’s a tribute to his vision, his hard work, and his deep commitment to the families of our community. In 2011, when a tornado destroyed our original chapel, Dad saw an opportunity not just to rebuild, but to build better. At a time when many funeral homes were downsizing to cut costs, he chose to do the opposite — creating a spacious, beautiful chapel designed to bring comfort and dignity to every service held here. He wanted families to have a special place to honor their loved ones, and he made sure they did. Dad also had a knack for noticing details that made a difference. At the old funeral home, built years earlier by his brother Ronnie Moore, he often joked (though he meant it) that the chapel was on the “wrong side” of the building. When services began, the family and casket had to be escorted through the lobby, past guests waiting there. He promised that if he ever rebuilt, things would be different. When the new chapel was constructed after the tornado, it was exactly the way he envisioned it — on the other end of the building, with a thoughtful layout that allowed families to enter the chapel privately and without distraction. The Larry Moore Memorial Chapel is a space built with love, foresight, and respect — qualities that defined my dad’s life and his work.  We will dedicate the chapel during our One Moore Ride Cruise-In on Saturday, October 18, 2025. I hope you’ll join us as we celebrate Dad’s legacy, this special milestone in our history, and the community we are so proud to serve. For me, this chapel will always be a reminder of Dad’s belief that families deserve the best we can give them — and I’m honored to have his name on the place where so many lives are remembered.
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This morning, during my run before work, I started mentally listing the tasks ahead—vacuum the parlors, clean the bathrooms, print memorial folders, and more. But as I ran, my thoughts drifted beyond my daily checklist. I found myself reflecting on how much funeral services have evolved over the years. This year marks 80 years of Moore Funeral Home serving our community, and yesterday was a perfect example of how things have changed. In one service, the speaker—unable to travel from Texas—delivered his message via Zoom. At the same time, we conducted a large funeral at a church in Higdon which was live-streamed, allowing hundreds of people to participate from the comfort of their homes. I can’t help but wonder what my great-grandfather would think. When he founded Moore Funeral Home in 1945 , he likely never imagined technology playing such a role in how we honor and remember our loved ones. Yet, while funeral services continue to evolve, one thing has remained constant—our commitment to serving families with compassion, dignity, and respect. As we celebrate 80 years, I’m incredibly grateful for the past and excited for the future. Thank you for trusting us to walk alongside you during life’s most difficult moments. It is our honor to continue this tradition of care for generations to come.