Continuing Bonds Choice Menu

How to use it

1. Review the options and choose none, one, or several that fit your beliefs and relationship.
2. Adapt an idea, combine ideas, or design a different form of connection.
3. Decide whether it will be private, shared, one-time, repeated, or not used.
4. Stop or set it aside if the idea feels uncomfortable or pressured.

Reflection prompts

• Which form of connection, distance, or remembrance feels most fitting now?
• What cultural, spiritual, family, or personal meaning should guide the choice?

Facilitator guidance

Offer the menu without implying an afterlife belief, obligation, ideal relationship, or therapeutic superiority. Continuing bonds are optional; support choices for distance, discontinuation, ambivalence, and culturally specific practices without appropriation.

Adaptations & accessibility

• Use a blank symbol card or participant-suggested practice.
• Offer nonverbal, private, digital, sensory, or practical-action options.
• Consult family or cultural supports only with permission.

Review considerations

Enhanced licensed grief-specialist and cultural/spiritual-responsiveness review required before use; never imply one correct form of connection or require an ongoing bond.