45 New Year Quotes After Loss to Help Conquer Grief

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Share one of the many New Year quotes about grief with your family members, friends, or anyone else who may be struggling this holiday season.

“What if she dies on Christmas? How can I help my children cope on what’s supposed to be the happiest day of the year?”

When I worked as a hospice chaplain, this was a question I heard frequently during the holiday season. The fear of losing a loved one during such a joyous time can be overwhelming and heartbreaking.

It’s not easy to find hope or joy in the middle of grief. And oftentimes well-meaning loved ones wouldn’t know what to say or do to ease the pain their loved one was experiencing. That’s why in these moments, it can be helpful to turn to words of wisdom from others who have also experienced grief during the holidays.

45 New Year Quotes After Loss to Help Conquer Grief

Please remember it’s not your job to try and remove their pain. Instead, offer a listening ear and understanding heart. And if you’re the one experiencing grief, know that it’s okay to not be okay during this time.

Here are the best New Year quotes to help a bereaved individual find comfort and understanding during this difficult time:

The Perfect Way to Greet Grieving Family Members with a ‘Happy New Year’!

1. “You shared an unspeakable love, and it’s okay if you don’t have words for those you still have in your life. Your voice will come back when you need it.”

Acknowledging the pain of grief and offering reassurance that it’s okay to not be able to express it can be a comforting way to start the new year with grieving family members.

2. “Remembering our loved ones who are no longer here brings both joy and pain. The only cure to grief is holding onto the memories that make us smile and find peace in knowing we were loved deeply.”

The last thing any bereaved family member needs to be told is to ‘hurry’ in their grief. This quote reminds us that even though our loved ones are no longer physically with us, their memories and love will always remain in our hearts.

3. “There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” – Washington Irving

This quote from Washington Irving reminds us that it’s okay to grieve and let our emotions out. Our tears are a testament to the love we have felt for the time and memories we shared with our loved ones.

4. “The pain of grief is the price we pay for love.” – Queen Elizabeth II

It’s easy to say the passing of time heals all sorrow, but this is not true. Feelings of grief will always be there because every person’s grief journey is different for them. The best thing you can do is be a strong presence in their life and let them know they’re not alone.

5. “Of the many beautiful things in this life, one of the most beautiful is a life well-lived but never really forgotten.”

The memories we have with our loved ones are what keep them alive in our hearts. Their impact on us and the world will never be forgotten, even as time passes. The saddest part for someone who is grieving is feeling their loved one will not be remembered. Make a special effort in the first year of someone’s loss to acknowledge holidays, birthdays, anniversary, or other special occasions.

6. “Grief changes shape, but it never ends.” – Keanu Reeves

As much as we may wish for the pain of grief to disappear, it is a part of life. The grief process can come in waves and take on different forms as time goes by, but it will always be there in some capacity. It’s important to acknowledge this and allow others to feel their emotions fully.

How to Comfortably Wish ‘Happy New Year’ to Friends Dealing with Loss

7. “There is no sorrow words can remove, no words of comfort can erase the pain. But know that you are not alone in your grief.”

New Year’s is known as a time for new beginnings and hope, but your friend’s loss might be bringing up feelings of sadness and longing. If you have a friend who is grieving during this time, instead of wishing them a happy New Year, acknowledge their loss and let them know you are there for them.

8. “Sometimes the best way to comfort someone is just to listen and be present.”

When someone is grieving, they may not need or want advice or words of wisdom. Sometimes, all they need is a listening ear and a supportive presence. Take the time to be there for your friend during this difficult time without feeling like you have to fix their pain.

9. “The hardest hours of grief are those in which you often feel alone. While the whole world keeps marching on, please know you do not walk alone.”

As you gather with friends and family during the holidays, take a moment to remember and honor those who are no longer with us. This can be in the form of sharing stories or looking at old photos. Keeping their memory alive can bring comfort during the grieving process.

10. “The most important thing to remember is that everyone handles grief differently. Don’t put yourself on a timeline of must-dos and to-dos. You’re experiencing intense pain, and you should do what brings you solace.”

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Grief can manifest in different ways, so it’s important to be patient and understanding with your friend. Some may want to talk about their loss, while others may prefer to keep busy and distract themselves. Whatever their coping mechanism may be, respect it and offer your support in the way they need it.

Bringing Brightness To Your Grieving Coworkers on New Years

11. “Remember, healing takes time and it’s okay to not be okay.”

Grief is a journey that takes time and there is no set timeline for when someone should feel better. It’s important to acknowledge and accept your coworker’s emotions, even if it means they may not be in a festive mood during the holidays. Offer them your support and unconditional love instead of pressuring them to “get over it.”

12. “Life’s search has taught me that it’s not important to see what lies dimly in the distance but to do what lies clearly at hand. Every day.”

During this difficult time, it may be hard for your coworker to see beyond their grief and focus on the present. Sometimes a simple kind act such as a sympathy card or a small gift can go a long way in showing your coworker that you are thinking of them and their loss.

13. “The firsts are always the hardest – your first Christmas without them, going through a whole new year without them. But know that you are not alone and your loved one will always be with you in spirit.”

The holiday season can bring up painful reminders of a lost loved one. As a coworker, it’s important to acknowledge these milestones and offer support during this difficult time. Encourage your coworker to remember their loved ones fondly and share happy memories.

14. “The journey of grief is not a linear path. There will be ups and downs, good days and bad days. Don’t feel guilty for having moments of joy or happiness.”

It’s common for people to feel guilty about experiencing moments of joy during a time of grieving. This is often one of the biggest guilts a bereaved person can experience. They lose themselves in their current experience of emptiness that they feel so much guilt about being happy again.

If your coworker or friend expresses feelings of guilt for being happy, the best thing you can do is become a grief advocate for them and help them find the best grief support group for their needs. It’s important to remind them that it’s okay to experience moments of joy and happiness and that it doesn’t mean they are forgetting or moving on from their loss.

15. “Remember to take care of yourself during this difficult time. Grief can be physically and emotionally exhausting, so make sure to rest and take care of yourself.”

The beginning of the year can be both a challenge and a blessing. The bereaved might find themselves surrounded by social events and activities that can be emotionally exhausting, while also feeling grateful for the distraction. It’s important to remind your coworker or friend to take care of themselves during this time.

Encourage them to make time for self-care activities such as exercise, getting enough sleep, and eating well. Offer to help with tasks or errands that may feel overwhelming. Taking care of oneself is crucial for coping with grief and can help prevent burnout.

The Best Way To Say Happy New Year in a Time of Grief 

16. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, even if it’s just someone to listen. Talking about your feelings can be a great source of relief and comfort during times of grief.”

We often hear the phrase “time heals all wounds”, but when it comes to grieving, time alone isn’t always enough. It’s important for the bereaved family member or friend to know that they don’t have to face their grief alone. Encourage them to reach out and ask for help if they need it.

17. “There are different types of pains we experience in this world. A broken leg heals after resting and caring for the body. But a broken heart to a great soul takes a long time to heal.”

As humans, we experience different types of pain throughout our lives – physical, emotional, and mental. While physical pain often has a clear healing process, the same cannot be said for emotional or mental pain. It’s not a sign of weakness to feel grief and mourn for those who changed our lives – even our best friend and loved ones.

18. “It may feel like the world has stopped for you. The only thing I can promise is that it won’t feel this way forever.”

Grief can often make us feel like the world has stopped, and we’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of pain. But as time passes, we learn to adjust to our new reality and find ways to remember and honor those we’ve lost. It’s important to remind your loved one that there will come a time when they won’t feel engulfed in grief every day.

Heartfelt Messages of Hope For Grieving Friends

19. “To lose someone you love is to alter your life forever. You don’t get over it because ‘it” is the person you loved. The pain stops, there are new people, but the gap never closes.” – Jeanette Winterson

The necessity of loving serves as the biggest risk that comes with it. Loving someone means we open ourselves up to the possibility of losing them, and when that happens, our lives are forever changed. It’s essential to remember that the pain of losing a loved one never fully goes away, but we can learn to live with it.

20. “Deep grief sometimes is almost like a specific location, a coordinate on a map of time. When you are standing in that forest of sorrow, you cannot imagine that you could ever find your way to a better place. But if someone can assure you that they themselves have stood in that same place, and now have moved on, sometimes this will bring hope.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

There’s always a fresh start waiting for us, even when we feel like we’re stuck in our pain. It may seem impossible to move on from deep grief, but it’s important to remember that it is possible. Knowing that others have experienced similar pain and have found a way out of the dark forest of sorrow can provide hope and comfort during the grieving process.

21. “Grief is different. Grief has no distance. Grief comes in waves, paroxysms, sudden apprehensions that weaken the knees and blind the eyes and obliterate the dailiness of life.” – Joan Didion

The silver lining in the grief journey is that we all experience it differently. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, and there’s no timeline for how long it should last. It comes in waves, sometimes unexpectedly, and can take us by surprise even when we think we’re doing okay. The important thing to remember is that it’s a natural process and there’s no need to rush through it.

22. “Happiness is beneficial for the body, but it is grief that develops the powers of the mind.” – Marcel Proust

23. “To weep is to make less the depth of grief.” – William Shakespeare

24. “What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller

25. “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” – C.S. Lewis

26. “Death was not the opposite of life. It was already here, within my being, it had always been here, and no struggle would permit me to forget that.” – Haruki Murakami

Sympathy Messages To Encourage Embracing Hope

Sometimes the company of others helps people to grieve, so they don’t feel alone. Other times it’s the simple things like a phone call, the right words of condolences, or knowing someone is sharing in their great sorrow with them that can make all the difference.

Here are some sympathy messages that you can use to show your support to someone going through the trial of grief:

27. “The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross​

28. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” – Winnie the Pooh

29. “No one can fill the great hole left by the loss of a loved one. Their life is a beautiful gift we get to cherish the rest of our lives. May you find peace and understanding of life in all its mysteries.”

30. “The only people who think there’s a time limit for grief, have never lost a piece of their heart. Take all the time you need to heal my friend. May you have a peaceful New Year’s Day.”

31. “The depth of your pain is equal to the depth of love that you shared with your loved one. Embrace it and let it guide you towards healing.”

Thoughtful Words To With A Religious Sympathy Quote

There’s a spiritual necessity to losing a loved one. If our adult life is not spent with Jesus, then we might lose meaning and purpose in our everyday life. The right thing to say during a time of mourning is something that reminds us all about the spiritual journey and reaffirms our faith.

32. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” – John 11:25-26

33. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” – John 14:1

34. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

35. “Jesus always invited the little children to come to him. He said theirs was the kingdom of heaven. I am so sorry you’re experiencing the loss of a child. May you find comfort in knowing they are now with their Heavenly Father and you are promised them back in the resurrection.”

36. “God has taken another angel home this past year. They were so very loved and, will be forever missed.”

37. “Happy endings often start from sad beginnings. But they aren’t the end of the story. The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven.”

38. “The Lord’s helping hand is always there to guide us through the darkest of days. Lean on him and he will bring you peace.”

39. “Remember, grief is just love with no place to go. Take comfort in knowing that your love for them will never fade, even though they are gone from this world.”

40. “May the Lord wrap you in his loving arms and give you strength during this difficult time. Your loved one is now at peace and watching over you.”

Final Grief Quotes To Share On New Years

A sorrowful look back on the past year can be especially difficult for those who have lost a loved one. As we enter a new year, it may feel like there is no hope for happiness or peace in the future. But these favorite quotes remind us that even different things can bring joy and that our loved ones are never truly gone from our hearts.

41. “This might be your first new year without your loved one, but this is not your first year with them in your heart. Cherish the memories and hold onto them tightly.”

42. “As we enter a new year, we carry our loved ones’ love and legacy with us. They may be gone from this world, but they will never be forgotten.”

43. “The only way your loved one would want you celebrating New Year’s Eve is with joy and happiness. They would want you to continue living life to the fullest.”

44. “You always made New Year’s resolutions to be a little bit of a better person each day. Now I know why you made this resolution. It’s because you were always trying to be more like the one your heart loves.”

45. “The greatest gift we can give our loved ones who have passed on is to live our lives in a way that would make them proud. Celebrate the new year by honoring their memory and making the most out of every moment.

As you read through our many favorite quotes you can share with those who are grieving during the New Year, remember that everyone’s grief journey is unique. Some may find solace in these words, while others may not resonate as deeply. The important thing is to be there for your loved ones, whether it’s through sharing quotes or simply being a listening ear.

As we enter into a new year, let us also remember to take care of ourselves and our mental health. Grieving during the holiday season can be especially difficult, so don’t be afraid to seek support or take some time for self-care.

We hope these quotes provide comfort and strength to those who may need it during this time. And as always, let us continue to hold onto the love and memories of those we have lost in our hearts and carry them with us into the new year.

So, let’s raise a glass to a new beginning while also cherishing the past. Happy New Year!

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