Travel After Child Loss: Coping with Grief on Vacation

Taking a summer trip after losing your child can stir powerful emotions—guilt, fear, and sorrow alongside longing, and maybe even small moments of joy. You’re not alone if you’ve wondered, “Am I betraying my child if I go away?” Or felt torn between staying close to home and stepping out of your comfort zone. In this blog, we’ll explore how grief and travel intersect, share stories from both my journey and other bereaved mothers, and offer compassionate guidance to help you cope—even on a vacation.

The Emotional Weight of Returning to “Usual” Places

Some destinations carry extra heaviness. For instance, Malibu and LA were places my daughter Katie adored. In 2023—on her angel anniversary—we returned. It was such a weird feeling. Walking along the beach without her left me feeling empty, yet there were fleeting moments when I felt her presence in the wind and the waves. It reminded me of how grief and love can coexist in the same breath.

Similarly, other bereaved moms honour their children by visiting planned destinations, often bringing photos, ashes, or cherished items. As Tiffany Agnew shared on episode #11 of The Grief & Child Loss Podcast, she and her husband brought a photo of their son Braedon to each location and used his bucket‑list as a guide; keeping him alive in their memory and their travels.

Why Location Matters after Child Loss

You will likely feel different in different locations. Nature isn't just beautiful, it can be healing. Studies by Hartig et al. (1991), Berman et al. (2008), and Bratman et al. (2015) show that spending time outdoors lowers stress, calms the nervous system, and improves mental health. Personally, gazing at the ocean, feeling sunlight on my skin, or sitting beneath the mountains helped stabilize the emotional waves of grief. Though I still felt emptiness, those moments offered grounding and glimpses of light amidst the shadows.

Is There a Right Time to Travel?

There’s no universal answer to when is best to travel because it’s personal. Some moms find comfort being near home in early grief; others feel suffocated and need space to breathe. I remember wrestling with this. The first solo trip helped us learn how to be a family of three, but at times also felt isolating. Ultimately, that mix of support and solitude reminded me I could carry grief and joy—literally and emotionally.

Lisa's book

When my son traveled with me, we reconnected in meaningful ways, deepening our bond as a family. It taught me that travel, when considered with your changing family dynamic, can strengthen connections while honouring your loss.

7 Gentle Tips for Traveling Through Grief

1. Connect with Nature. Sunshine, breeze, birdsong can soften grief 

2. Choose quieter, restorative places. Overstimulating crowds can intensify overwhelm

3. Bring something meaningful. A photo, jewelry, ashes or any little tokens of connection.

4. Travel with a support person (spouse, friend, family member) who respects your needs.

5. Move your body. Gentle walks or light activity help relieve the physical tension grief brings.

6. Allow yourself to cry in private or public. It’s healthy.

7. Remain flexible. Rest more on rough days. Honour your need for stillness.

   
   

How Travel Helps You Carry Grief and Create New Meaning

• Grief travels with you, no matter the location; but fresh surroundings can offer emotional rest.

• Nature provides evidence of life’s renewal, reminding you that beauty and pain can coexist.

• Creating new memories doesn’t replace old ones—it weaves them into your ongoing story.

• There’s no perfect timeline, only the one you create when you’re ready.

  
  

Even amidst tears, you may laugh at a light moment. You may stand in awe of a sunrise. You may feel your child’s presence in the breeze.

Walking beside you,

XO, Lisa

P.S. If you're looking for a soft place to land on this journey through child loss, the Angel Moms Community is a quiet space filled with women who truly understand. No expectations, no pressure—just connection, comfort, and hope when you're ready.