It's hard to lose someone you feel especially close to, whether that's a family member, friend, or even a beloved companion animal. And for many people, grieving is increased during holiday times, when old memories come flooding back.

While it may be tempting to deny grief in an effort to avoid the pain, it's much healthier to accept those feelings and work through grieving in an intentional way. These 5 steps can help you move through the grieving process and begin to heal.