Creative Ways To Honour The Memory Of A Loved One
When someone we love dies, we want to keep their memory alive and keep them close to our hearts.
But sometimes it’s hard to know how to do that. How can we honour and remember someone who is no longer with us?
There are many ways to honour a memory of a loved one after they die. I
t typically starts with a funeral or memorial service, followed by a wake.
This will kick start the grieving process, allowing you to say goodbye and find some closure. But after this, you might need to think of some creative ways to say goodbye.
Memorials can take any form that makes sense to you.
You could start a new tradition, create a place where you can go to reflect, or simply live your life in a way that honours their memory.
Here are some of the most creative ways you can honour a loved one after their passing.
Plant a garden
This is a beautiful way to remember someone who loved nature or was an avid gardener themselves. You can plant flowers, trees, or vegetables – anything that reminds you of them. Not only will this give you a place to go to reflect on their life, but it will also provide you with fresh air and exercise, both of which are excellent for dealing with grief.
If you don’t have space for a garden, you could donate a bench to a public garden so that you’ll have a space to visit and reflect on your loved one’s life. Remember to include a plaque so that park visitors will know who the bench is honouring.
Create a memory box
Building a memory box is a lovely way to keep all your favourite memories of a loved one in one place. See Ashes With Art website for some ideas. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. You could store photographs, letters, cards, and other physical reminders of the person you’ve lost. Or you might prefer to create a digital memory box full of videos, recordings, and social media posts. The beauty of a memory box is that it will always be there when you need it, so you can pack it away when you cannot handle the grief, and take it out when you want to reflect on their life.
Create a work of art
It’s not uncommon for people to create music, poetry, prose, artworks, sculptures, and more. This can be a way of channeling your grief into something creative and beautiful. It can also be therapeutic, providing you with an outlet for your emotions. And it’s a lovely way to keep your loved one’s memory alive. Even if you aren’t particularly creative, you can still channel your grief into creating something for yourself. You might be surprised to see what you are capable of.
Donate to charity
If there was a charity that was close to your loved one’s heart, consider making a one-off or regular donation to a charity that meant something to them. This is a great way to keep their memory alive whilst also helping others. You could also raise money through events like running a marathon or completing another physical challenge. If you have a large sum of money to donate, you could request a plaque for your loved one with their favourite charity. Your donation could help build a garden, a library, or even a new hospital.
Volunteer your time
Another way to remember a loved one is to volunteer your time to a cause that was important to them. If they cared deeply about the environment, you could volunteer for a local conservation group. Or if they loved animals, you could volunteer at an animal shelter. This will allow you to give back to your community while also honouring your loved one’s memory.
Make a big change in your life
Make a big change that you know they would approve of. You could adopt a pet, change careers or even move to a different country. Sometimes, honouring those who have left us can mean changing the way we live our lives to be more in line with their values. This way, the rest of your life and everything that unfolds will always remind you of them and their influence.
Write their story
This could be in the form of a book, blog, or even just a series of articles. It’s a way of ensuring that their life is never forgotten and that their legacy lives on. If you know they have already written parts of their story, you could add to this and then publish it for them, allowing others to learn more about their life and legacy.
Start a new tradition or a ritual
If you want to honour your loved one every year, why not start a new tradition? This could be something as simple as getting together with family and friends to share memories and stories. Or you might prefer to do something more active, like planting a tree or releasing balloons. Whatever you choose, make sure it is something that everyone can get involved in and that will make you feel closer to your loved one.
Do something they loved
One way to keep a loved one’s memory alive is to do something they loved. If they loved nature, go for walks in the park or plant a tree in their memory. If they loved animals, volunteer at an animal shelter or donate to a wildlife charity. If they loved music, go to concerts or start a band in their memory. There are endless possibilities to consider.
These are just a few ideas for creative ways to remember a loved one after they die. The most important thing is to do what feels right for you. Grief can be incredibly difficult to deal with, but by finding your own unique way to honour your loved one’s memory, you can begin to heal and move on with your life.
