“It’s simply not true that blood is the ultimate bond; some families have become so damaged by trauma that time together is harmful for all involved.”
Those who have experienced lifelong estrangements know there is no “Hollywood ending”; fractured relationships can’t be magically “fixed” at the end of life. But there can be profound healing. Here are some tips for promoting a sense of wholeness when an estranged family member dies, or is approaching the end of life. Rabbi Elliot Kukla works in hospice and has seen this often. Whether you personally are dealing with loss of an estranged family member, or if you are supporting someone who is, Kukla offers some suggestions that can help when sorting out this complicated situation of grieving while estranged.
