Send us Fan Mail

A week ago, on 2 November, it was my mother Eliane's birthday: the fifteenth birthday without her. In this personal episode, I share what that day is like for me almost fifteen years after her death, and offer a wide range of ways to celebrate the birthday of someone who has died, from visiting a grave to cooking their favourite meal, writing a letter, or choosing not to mark the day at all.

I also speak about birthdays after suicide loss, and about grieving mostly on your own, even within a family. And I share two things that brought me light this year: a conversation with a psychic that helped me understand my family dynamics, and the signs and symbols that seem to carry my mother's presence.

"Her life was much more than its ending."

Who this is for: Anyone facing the birthday of someone who has died, especially a mother or parent. People bereaved by suicide. Anyone who grieves mostly alone within their family. Friends, partners and professionals who want to know how to show up on a day like this.

In this episode

• Why a birthday after death can feel harder, or more tender, than the anniversary
• Birthdays after suicide loss: giving the day to the person's life
• Ways to celebrate a birthday when someone has died
• What I have done on my mother's birthday over the years
• Feeling alone in your grief within your family
• What a conversation with a psychic helped me understand
• Signs, symbols and continuing bonds
• How supporters can help on a birthday

Chapters

• 00:00 Her Name is Eliane
• 01:27 Welcome
• 02:01 Fifteen Birthdays Without Her
• 04:34 Why Birthdays Can Be So Hard, and So Tender 
• 06:00 Birthdays After Suicide Loss
• 09:21 Ways to Celebrate a Birthday When Someone Has Died
•  13:54 What I Have Done for My Mother
• 14:53 Grieving Alone Within the Family System
• 17:52 What a Conversation with a Psychic Helped Me Understand
• 20:33 Signs and Symbols: Her Presence 
• 23:01 For Supporters: How to Help on a Birthday
• 24:49 Closing

Episodes mentioned: 44 Mother Loss Through Suicide, 72 Motherless Daughters with Hope Edelman, 104 When Mother's Day Hurts, 141 Suicide Trauma, 187 How Your Personal Story Shapes Your Grief and Trauma Experience, 201 Grief and Time, Season 18 trailer

If you are struggling: Switzerland, Die Dargebotene Hand 143 | Germany, TelefonSeelsorge 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222 | Austria, Telefonseelsorge 142 | UK and Ireland, Samaritans 116 123 | USA, 988 | Australia, Lifeline 13 11 14. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

Support after suicide loss: Refugium (Switzerland), verein-refugium.ch | AGUS (Germany), agus-selbsthilfe.de

Support the show

💡 If today’s episode touched you, please share it with someone who might need it. 

🤝 Become a supporter of the show! Starting at $3/month & leave a review.

Stay Connected

• 🌐 Visit nathaliehimmelrich.com
• 💌 Subscribe to the newsletter for resources and updates
• 🎧 Never miss an episode—follow the podcast!
• 💛 Socials   Instagram   Facebook

Find Support Resources 

• 💜 For Grievers – Resources
  https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/grief-trauma-support/
• 💜 For Supporters – Supporting someone https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/supporters-resources/
• 💜 Books – Explore books on grief and healing https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/books/
• 💜 Support – Offers - free and paid 
  https://nathaliehimmelrich.com/free-resources-hub/