When my mom died, I bought myself a Felicity bracelet with her picture in it. I’ve worn it every day since, and sometimes when I am feeling particularly happy, or sad, or missing her even more than normal, I’ll look at it. Sometimes it makes me smile, and other times it makes me cry.
From tangible keepsakes to living tributes and heartfelt gestures, there are countless ways to honor a life that has ended and support the lives that continue on. Here, we explore a range of options to help you find a meaningful way to remember.
Wearable Tributes: Keeping Them Close
- Personalized Bracelets
- Cremation Jewelry
- Personalized Jewelry
Artistic & Keepsake Memorials: Tangible Reminders
Creating or acquiring a physical item can provide a lasting and comforting reminder of a loved one.
- Glass Art with Ashes: Spiritpieces.com specializes in turning cremation ash into unique glass art, such as orbs, paperweights, suncatchers, and even sculptures like memorial sleeping cats.3 These pieces are handcrafted and designed to be beautiful, lasting memories.3
- Cremation Urns: While often associated with funeral services, urns can also be chosen for their aesthetic and symbolic value, serving as a central memorial piece in a home.5
- Memorial Keepsake Boxes: These boxes provide a special place to store cherished items, letters, photos, and mementos that highlight a departed loved one’s life and impact.7 They come in various materials like wood, ceramic, glass, and metal.8
- Custom Memorial Blankets: A soft, personalized blanket can offer warmth and comfort, serving as a woven collection of cherished memories. These can be customized with photos, names, quotes, and other meaningful details, often made from fleece or woven materials.10
- Memorial Wind Chimes: The soothing tones of wind chimes can evoke a sense of peace and connection. Many can be personalized with engraved messages on the wind sail, honoring loved ones or veterans.5
- Memorial Garden Stones: For those who find solace in nature, personalized garden stones can create a special outdoor remembrance space. These stones can be engraved with names, dates, verses, or even photos, and come in various sizes and shapes.7
- Memorial Lanterns and Candles: Lighting a candle or lantern can be a powerful symbolic gesture, representing the light a loved one brought into your life. Many memorial lanterns feature LED lights for long-lasting use and can be inscribed with inspiring verses.7
- Memory Ornaments: Especially poignant during holidays, a memory ornament can be a photo, a small note, or a trinket that reminds you of them, hung on a tree or displayed in a special place.19
Living Tributes: Growth and Renewal
For many, a living memorial offers a sense of continuity and enduring presence.
- Planting a Memorial Tree: Planting a tree in memory of a loved one is a thoughtful tribute that contributes to nature and creates a living legacy. Organizations work with national forests to plant trees in areas damaged by fire or natural disasters, and a personalized card can be sent to commemorate the planting.20
- Creating a Memorial Garden: A dedicated garden space can be a beautiful and tranquil place for remembrance, filled with plants and flowers that held special meaning to the departed.23
Experiential Memorials: Shared Moments and Lasting Impact
Remembering a loved one can also involve shared experiences and acts of kindness.
- Creating a Memory Table: Set up a small table with photos, mementos, and other items that remind you of them, encouraging family and friends to share stories.
- Cooking Their Favorite Dish: Food has a unique way of evoking memories. Preparing and sharing a loved one’s favorite meal can be a comforting and joyful way to remember them.
- Sharing Stories: Encourage family and friends to share anecdotes, touching moments, or life lessons imparted by the loved one. This keeps their memory alive and allows everyone to reflect on their impact.
- Making a Donation: Contributing to a charity or cause that was close to their heart is a meaningful way to honor their memory and make a positive impact in their name.
- Crafting Together: Engage in a craft project in memory of your loved one, such as creating a scrapbook, a quilt from their clothing, or repurposing their items into art.
- Playing Their Favorite Music: Music has the power to transport us back in time. Playing their favorite songs can be a sweet way to feel their presence.
- Writing a Letter: Take a quiet moment to write a letter to your loved one, sharing your feelings and updates. This can be a therapeutic and personal act of remembrance.
- Pursuing Their Hobbies or Passions: Trying a loved one’s hobby or finishing a project they started can be a deeply personal way to connect with their memory.
- Starting a Scholarship or Nonprofit: For a lasting legacy, consider funding a scholarship in their name or starting a nonprofit organization aligned with their values.
Ultimately, the most meaningful way to memorialize someone is one that resonates deeply with you and truly honors the unique life and legacy of the person you cherish.
