Honoring a Loved One

Losing a loved one is a profound and challenging experience, and finding ways to honor their memory can provide comfort and help in the healing process. There are many meaningful ways to remember and celebrate the lives of those we have lost. These acts of remembrance can be personal and private or shared with a community, offering solace and connection. Below are various suggestions to help you keep their memory alive and honor their legacy in ways that feel right for you.

Ideas of How to Honor a Loved One​

Keep Their Memory Close

• Carry a small item like a picture.
• Carry a symbolic charm, stone, or flower in their memory.​
• Wear a piece of their jewelry or clothing.
• Try their hobbies or activities.

Gather, Connect, & Share

• Organize a gathering on a significant date.
• Host a potluck with their favorite foods.
• Share stories, laugh, cry, and support each other.
• Send cards, texts, or visit those who knew your loved one.
• Share funny memories or pictures to keep their memory alive.

Create On-Going Tributes / Memorials

• Plant a garden, bush, or tree in their memory.
• Transition their social media pages into a memorial page.
• Build a virtual memorial/website and invite others to contribute.
• Dedicate an event like a concert or race to their memory.
• Start an annual tradition like a hike or picnic.
• Create a grant or scholarship in their name.
• Dedicate a memorial bench, brick, or table.​

​Share Their Stories and Photos through Creative Expression

• Create a photo book, memory box, scrapbook, or memory jar.
• Share about your loved one through writing or art.
• Write a poem or story and share it if you feel comfortable.
• Create art that reminds you of your loved one.
• Compose a song or perform a dance piece in their honor.
• Repurpose their items into art, jewelry, or create a blanket or pillow from their clothes.
• Design a shirt with their favorite saying.
• Cook their favorite meal.

​Music

• Make a mix or Spotify playlist of their favorite songs.
• Share it with family and friends.
• Listen to music that brings back positive memories of that person.
  
• Attend a concert of their favorite band.

​Give and Support: Acts of Kindness

• Complete acts of kindness inspired by their life.
• Donate school equipment or books in their memory.
• Support a cause through donations in their name.
• Volunteer as a tutor in subjects they were passionate about.
• Host a fundraiser like a bake sale, car wash, or auction for a cause close to thier heart.
• Create a community garden in memory of loved ones.
• Adopt a section of highway and clean it with family and friends every year.

Physical Activities

• Participate in marathons, competitions, or charity walks in their memory.
• Complete a certain trail or climb a mountain in their memory.
• Dedicate your daily exercise routine to them and share your journey.
• Participate in a community Out of Darkness Walk.

Advocacy and Awareness: Helping Others

• Advocate for causes related to your loved one’s life or death.
• Host educational workshops on relevant topics.
• Offer support to other grievers by sharing your experiences.
• Share helpful books, articles, or websites on dealing with loss.

Special Occasions & Anniversaries

Anniversaries: Remember and Honor

• Light a candle on special occasions or anniversaries.
• Scatter their ashes in meaningful places.
• Do something special with the money you would have spent on their gifts.
• Write a letter expressing unsaid thoughts and feelings.
• Set a new personal goal in their honor.
• Fulfill something they always wanted to do.
• Hold a release ceremony with butterflies, lanterns, or flowers.
• Visit their favorite place.
• Live your best life in their memory.

Schools/Graduations

• Recognize all students who have died with a moment of silence or a brief statement.
• Reserve an empty seat with their name and a rose.
• Communicate with families about how the graduate will be mentioned at the ceremony so that there are no surprises.
• During the event, ensure that all discussions about that person remain positive, focusing only on their positive actions, words, and behaviors.
  
• What NOT to do in a school/graduation setting:
  • Avoid creating a permanent memorial for just one person.
  • Avoid discussing how the person died.

Taking Care of Yourself 

As the anniversary of a death approaches, proactive self-care is crucial. This might include therapy, sharing feelings with friends, or engaging in comforting activities. Each person's needs are unique, so find what helps you the most. Remember, it's important to take steps to care for your emotional well-being during this sensitive time.

• Inform friends and family of approaching dates for support.
• Connect with others affected by the loss.
• Plan ahead to stay in a positive mindset.
• Don’t pressure yourself to do anything; it’s okay to simply acknowledge the day.
• Share your story in a grief community.
• Keep their memory alive by talking about them and living in their honor.
• Support Groups and Counseling
  • Seek individual or group therapy to process your grief.
  • Join local or online grief support groups.

Support & Resources

Do you, or someone you know, need support? You are not alone. Reach out for support today.

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