A family Christmas letter can acknowledge someone who died without making private grief public. Consider the audience and the wishes of those closest to them.
A practical way to begin
Ask relevant family members before including a photograph or personal account.
Use the person's name and a brief memory you can share accurately.
Keep medical, financial and other sensitive details out unless clearly authorized.
Let the acknowledgment sit naturally within the letter rather than requiring readers to respond.
For example
A short paragraph can remember a family tradition associated with the person, while noting that this year's celebration will be different.
What to avoid
Avoid presenting one relative's response to the loss as the whole family's experience. People may want different levels of disclosure.
What if the person does not want to take part?
Accept their preference without asking them to justify it. A person can decline a gift, a conversation or a shared remembrance and choose differently another time. Keep any offer private and leave the next step with them.
Related family guides
A personal keepsake, if it fits your plans
If a short personal voice message fits the occasion, you can explore the Record-a-Message Christmas Tree. Choose the words with the speaker and keep any longer recordings separately.
