For most people, Christmas is a joyous time with family and friends; but this joy can turn to grief when those family and friends have died.

How people deal with this sadness was the focus of a survey published Dec. 10 from St Mary’s University, Twickenham, that asked 2000 people across the United Kingdom what they do at Christmas in memory of deceased loved ones.

The survey is part of the University’s project, The Art of Dying Well, which offers practical and spiritual support to those faced with the prospect of death and dying.

“The Art of Dying Well commissioned this survey to try and help the bereaved navigate a way through what can be a very tough season,” said Maggie Doherty, the director of the project. Those taking the survey were given 16 possible ways to remember the deceased, although they were given the opportunity to write in other options.

The most popular option – at 32% – was to simply share memories of the loved one with friends and family.

Other popular activities to remember the dead included lighting a candle (20%), laying a wreath on a grave (20%), saying a prayer (16%), and making a special toast (15%).

“Holidays are a time to get the family together, particularly at Christmas. When a loved one is missing from those get-togethers, the sense of loss can be overwhelming,” Doherty told Crux.