Navigating Grief and Loss on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a time for celebration, reflection, and appreciation—but for many, it can also bring feelings of sadness, longing, or even pain. Whether you’ve recently lost your mother, experienced the passing of a child, or are supporting a loved one through their grief, Mother’s Day can be a complex emotional time.

At Aged Care Online, we recognise that grief doesn’t follow a schedule - and that anniversaries and special occasions can stir up powerful emotions, especially for older Australians and their families. If you or someone you care for is facing Mother’s Day with a heavy heart this year, here are some thoughts and suggestions to help navigate the day with compassion and care.

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings

Grief can come in many forms - sadness, anger, guilt, even relief - and it’s okay to feel all of these things. Rather than trying to suppress or avoid your emotions, give yourself permission to experience them. You may cry. You may smile at a memory. You may feel numb. There is no "right" way to grieve.

For older adults, especially those living in aged care or receiving home care services, these emotions may feel magnified by distance or isolation. Simply acknowledging that the day may be difficult is a helpful first step.

2. Create Your Own Ritual

While traditional Mother’s Day celebrations may not be possible or appropriate, creating a personal ritual can provide a sense of comfort and connection. You might:

• Light a candle in memory of your mother or child

• Listen to their favourite music or cook a meal they loved

• Write them a letter or revisit old photos and memories

• Visit a meaningful place, such as a garden or a memorial bench

These small acts can bring peace and help you feel close to those you’ve lost.

3. Share and Connect

You’re not alone. Many people experience grief on Mother’s Day, and connecting with others - whether family, friends, or support groups - can offer valuable comfort. Talking about your loss can ease the weight of grief and remind you that your loved one’s memory lives on in shared stories and experiences.

If you're a caregiver or aged care worker, this is a meaningful time to offer a listening ear to residents who may be grieving. Even a short conversation can be deeply supportive.

4. Support Someone Who Is Grieving

If someone close to you is mourning a mother or child this Mother’s Day, a gentle message or small gesture can mean a lot. Reach out with:

• A thoughtful card or text acknowledging their grief

• A memory or story about their loved one

• An offer to spend time together - whether in person or virtually

Even saying, “I know this day might be hard - I'm thinking of you,” can be a profound comfort.

5. Consider Grief Support Services

There’s no shame in seeking help. Grief counselling, support groups, or talking to a trusted professional can help make sense of your emotions. Services like Griefline (1300 845 745) and Beyond Blue offer free, compassionate support to anyone struggling with loss.

For those receiving home care or living in residential aged care, ask your provider whether emotional wellbeing or pastoral care services are available.

6. Honour the Day in Your Own Way

You may wish to keep things simple and quiet - or you might want to gather with others and celebrate your loved one’s life. Whether you choose reflection, remembrance, or distraction, do what feels right for you. There’s no single way to mark Mother’s Day when you’re grieving, and that’s okay.

Grief is love with nowhere to go. On a day like Mother’s Day, it’s natural for that love to feel especially strong - and the absence especially deep. Be kind to yourself. Honour your grief. And remember: you are not alone.

If you’re supporting someone through grief this Mother’s Day or are looking for aged care or home care services that prioritise emotional wellbeing, agedcareonline.com.au can help connect you with the right support.

Because caring for each other - especially during the hard days - is at the heart of everything we do.