Father’s Day: When Dad Is No Longer Here

Father’s Day is one of those days that arrives whether you are ready for it or not. The ads fill your feed with backyard barbecues and bear hugs. And if your dad is gone – whether the loss is fresh or years old – all of that can feel like it’s meant for someone else. You’re not imagining the weight of this day. It’s real.

Grief doesn’t follow a calendar. It doesn’t care how much time has passed. And there’s no right way to spend this Sunday when the person it’s supposed to celebrate is no longer here. Some families find comfort in doing something small – visiting his resting place, cooking his favorite meal, pulling out old photographs, or just gathering with people who knew him and loved him too. Others need to close the blinds and let the day pass quietly. Both are okay. Give yourself permission to feel whatever comes.

And if you’re a dad who has lost a child, we want you to know: we see you too. This day belongs to you just as much, and your love doesn’t end because they’re gone. We hold space for families long after the service is over. If this time of year feels heavy, our grief circles meet on the second and third Tuesday of each month – 7 to 8 PM at the chapel, no cost, no pressure. Just a warm room and people who understand. However you spend this Father’s Day, we hope the love you carry brings you more comfort than pain.