If you've lost your mom, experienced the heartbreak of miscarriage, or are grieving a child, Mother's Day can be a difficult holiday. Because it is a time of joy and togetherness for many, reminders of the day can feel constant, from brunch invitations and store displays to your social media feed. But remember, you're not alone.
So many people carry complicated feelings into this day, quietly mourning losses the world may not see from — women who aren't able to have children, stepmoms, those with estranged relationships, and more. While you may not be able to celebrate the way you once did, know that there are ways to honor this day, your feelings, your loss, and your loved one. Here are some ideas on how to create a new meaning for Mother's Day
Honoring the Loss of Your Mom
- Create a new tradition in her honor. Remember the things you enjoyed doing together, and do them on Mother's Day. Perhaps you spend the day walking in the woods, or cook her favorite meal while gathering with siblings or family members. Taking time to do something she loved can help you reclaim the day, gently rewriting it as a space for remembrance, connection, and love.
- Consider donating to a cause she cared about or volunteering in her name. This can be a wonderful way for grandkids to take part, building new memories in her honor.
- Try something creative. Write her a letter or journal your favorite memories. Or maybe add to a scrapbook each year, dedicated to her life and legacy.
- Display a tealight or keepsake. Many people also find comfort in a physical way to honor her. A tealight urn lets you light a candle in her memory — quietly at home, or together with family across many miles. A keepsake urn or chest urn can hold a lock of hair, her jewelry, a recipe card, or old letters — something small, but deeply meaningful.
JCK-123 | Mother & Child Pendant and Necklace for Ashes
For Mothers Who Have Lost a Child
Mother's Day can bring a different kind of grief when you’ve lost a child — at any age, from before birth to adulthood. Miscarriage and stillbirth are often experienced in silence, as many women carry this pain without ever speaking about it due to stigma.
- Cremation jewelry offers a chance to carry your child close with you. Even if you don't have ashes to remember your child by, you might place dried flowers, sand from a favorite beach, or even leave it empty, wearing it simply as a symbol of love.
- A keepsake urn or tealight urn can hold a hospital bracelet or handwritten message to your child. Lighting a candle and speaking their name can be a grounding, healing way to mark the day, whether in private or with loved ones.
All of these rituals help affirm that their memory still exists and always will. Remember, healing often happens in connection with your community. Consider reaching out to another mom you know — maybe a friend, a neighbor, or someone else who’s grieving, too. However you choose to mark the day, we hope you feel surrounded by memory, by meaning, and by love.