"I don't know what to do with myself."

Post-death grief rituals before the funeral or memorial service.

Many religions and cultures detail what adherents should do to comfort people before they die. Such rituals are helpful and comfort patients, family, and loved ones during a tough time.

Many faiths or belief systems also outline what to do during the mourning period after a death. This includes sitting Shiva, observing various burial customs, and attending religious services.

But what about grief rituals between death and the funeral?

Sometimes, due to a variety of circumstances, people must postpone a loved one’s funeral. This happened a lot during the pandemic.

When I lived in Florida, funerals were often postponed because the burial ground was flooded. In northern states, a funeral may have to wait for the ground to thaw.

Some families choose a destination funeral, and that kind of planning takes time.

What will we do in between the death and a service to acknowledge a loss?

After a recent death in my family, I searched for some ideas that made sense for my husband, sons, and me. We’re R…