Bandages for Your Heart - Your Spiritual Toolbox: Everyday Activities for Grief Recovery

Nancy Weil

Bandages for Your Heart

Your Spiritual Toolbox: Everyday Activities for Grief Recovery

A Riddle: Everyone has one. It has taken your entire life to create. Yet, you don’t always use it when you most need it. What is it? Your spiritual toolbox.


What is a spiritual toolbox? It is a collection of activities that bring you comfort and motivation. For some, reading a spiritual book or exercising always lifts their spirits. For others, shopping or chopping wood provides the boost they need to overcome a tough moment. Creating your own personal list of ways to feel better is a great step toward emotional well-being. Notice that it’s not about waiting until you feel better to take action but rather taking action in order to feel better. Grief can paralyze you, creating inertia that makes even small steps feel overwhelming. However, when the action required is something you already enjoy, it becomes easier to begin.


In my programs, we brainstorm lists of activities that people want to include in their spiritual toolbox. Here are ten of the most popular (not in any particular order):


  • Exercise
  • Reading uplifting books
  • Listening to music
  • Prayer
  • Spending time with friends and family
  • Journaling
  • Shopping
  • Watching a funny movie or television show
  • Knitting or other crafts
  • Playing with a pet


Each of these activities helps shift your focus from the pain of grief, redirecting your energy toward comfort and even joy. Some of these ideas may appeal to you, while others might not. That’s okay. Take a moment to write down your personal list of activities that help you feel better.


Once your list is complete, take a moment to set it in your mind. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. Begin to visualize what your toolbox looks like. There are no rules—people have envisioned everything from a Craftsman toolbox to a wicker basket, a shopping bag, or even an upside-down hat! Let your toolbox appear in your mind naturally. Once you see it, mentally place each of the items from your list inside. If needed, have someone read your list to you, record it and play it back, or simply peek at your list before continuing the visualization. Once everything is in the toolbox, impress upon your heart that these resources are always available to you whenever you need them.


The final step involves preparation and action. Download, purchase, or subscribe to a streaming music service so your favorite songs are readily available. Visit the library or bookstore or download an app to have books at your fingertips. Make plans to go out with friends. Add funny television shows or movies to your watchlist so they are easy to access when you need a good laugh.


Every day, choose something from your list and make time to do it. There may be moments when tears flow as you read a meaningful passage or watch a movie you once enjoyed with a loved one. Honor these tears, they help you cherish the good times. Your spiritual toolbox is a tool for healing, not forgetting. It allows you to connect with your loved one, your Higher Power, and most importantly, with yourself.




____________________



This article is offered as part of our funeral home’s grief support program. The author, Nancy Weil, is a Certified Grief Management Specialist. You are invited to join our virtual Healing Hearts grief support group, facilitated by Nancy twice a month on Zoom. Please contact our funeral home for more information.

By Will Vest, Licensed Funeral Director July 1, 2026
At Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, we believe that remembering a loved one should never be limited to a single day. On June 20, we had the privilege of welcoming more than 65 family members and friends to our South Parkersburg location for our inaugural Wings of Love Butterfly Release, a heartfelt remembrance ceremony honoring those who continue to hold a special place in our hearts. The afternoon was filled with meaningful moments of reflection through music, readings, and a moving butterfly release. For many, butterflies represent hope, renewal, and a lasting connection with loved ones who have passed. We wanted to create a simple yet deeply meaningful opportunity for our community to come together, share memories, and find comfort in one another. Throughout the ceremony, a special tribute slideshow played featuring photographs of loved ones submitted by families who RSVP’d. Seeing those familiar faces on screen served as a beautiful reminder that every life leaves a lasting legacy. Local musician Logan Reynolds also performed three heartfelt songs that added warmth and emotion to the gathering. One of the most touching moments came during the butterfly release itself. Families of all ages, including young children, gently released butterflies into the air while sharing stories and memories of those they were honoring. As the butterflies took flight, conversations filled the space with laughter, tears, and cherished recollections. It was a powerful reminder that love continues long after loss. Many attendees expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to participate. Some returned to honor loved ones who had passed more than a decade ago, sharing how meaningful it was to have a dedicated time and place to remember them. While there were certainly tears throughout the ceremony, there were also countless smiles as families left knowing they had shared a special experience together. Following the ceremony, guests stayed to enjoy light refreshments and continue visiting with one another, reinforcing the sense of community that made the afternoon so memorable. Events like this reflect our commitment to supporting families beyond the funeral service. Healing is an ongoing journey, and we are honored to provide opportunities for remembrance, connection, and hope throughout the year. We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make this year’s Wings of Love Butterfly Release so meaningful. We look forward to continuing this tradition each year as we gather to celebrate lives well lived and the enduring love that remains.
By Will Vest, Licensed Funeral Director June 23, 2026
Learn what to say at a funeral, what to wear to a visitation or memorial service, and meaningful ways to express sympathy and support during a time of loss.
By Will Vest June 11, 2026
Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home & Crematory was proud to participate in the 11th Annual Belpre Cruise-In, bringing together car enthusiasts, families, and community members for an afternoon of fun, fellowship, and local support. Held at Belpre Masonic Lodge #609, the event featured a wide variety of classic and custom vehicles, with dash plaques awarded to participating drivers and trophies presented for Best of Show, Second Place, and Third Place. Guests also enjoyed concessions, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and free admission for spectators. Representing Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home & Crematory at the event were Scott Church, Chris Wagner, Ben Vest, Hannah Rice, and William Vest. The Cruise-In welcomed 30 registered vehicles and over 100 attendees throughout the afternoon. For Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home & Crematory, the event is about more than showcasing beautiful vehicles. It is an opportunity to invest in the community and support future generations. One of the highlights of the Cruise-In is the ability to provide a $1,000 scholarship funded through event proceeds. "We enjoy working in our community, and being able to be a part of offering a scholarship from the proceeds is a huge bonus," shared Funeral Director William Vest. The Cruise-In has become a beloved annual tradition in Belpre; the combination of classic cars, community spirit, and charitable giving continues to make the event a meaningful gathering for all who attend. Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home & Crematory looks forward to sponsoring the event again next year and continuing its commitment to bringing people together while supporting local students and families. Thank you to everyone who participated, attended, and helped make this year's Belpre Cruise-In another success. 
By Will Vest, Licensed Funeral Director May 28, 2026
Finding Healing, Connection, and Comfort After Loss
By Will Vest May 6, 2026
A simple guide to what happens after a loss.
By Will Vest April 22, 2026
Need to plan a funeral? We're here to help.
By Nancy Weil October 30, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart - Grief Changes You: And It's Okay
By Nancy Weil August 25, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Misery Loves Company: How Grief Support Groups Help
By Nancy Weil August 25, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Living Your Legacy: Honoring Memories and Finding Purpose
By Nancy Weil August 25, 2025
Bandages for Your Heart Laughter in the Face of Tears: How Humor Helps in Grief Recovery
Show More