When someone you love dies, it feels like a part of you has been ripped away. You are left with an emptiness that can be difficult to fill. Even the simplest things can be a challenge as you try to cope with your loss.
However, there are many different ways to pay tribute to a loved one after they die. You may choose to hold a memorial service, create a tribute website or video, scatter their ashes in a meaningful place, plant a tree in their memory or keep their ashes close to you in a customized urn. No matter what you decide, be sure to do what feels right for you and your family as you grieve.
Keep Their Ashes Close to You
People usually choose to keep urns with ashes in their homes, but some people bury them or scatter them in a place that was significant to their loved ones. If you choose to keep your loved one’s ashes close to you, there are many different types of urns available, including ones that can be customized with their name, photo, or other features, using a theme with train urns, or even eco-friendly urns. You may also want to consider having the urn made into a piece of jewelry so that you can wear it close to your heart. Or, you could display the urn in your home as a reminder of your loved one’s life and presence in your life.
Some people also choose to create a shadow box with their loved one’s ashes, which can be hung on the wall or displayed on a shelf. This is a unique way to keep your loved one close while still having a beautiful piece of art in your home.
Hold a Memorial
One popular way to honor a loved one after they have passed away is to hold a memorial service. This can be an intimate gathering with close friends and family, or it can be a more formal event with many attendees. Some people choose to have the memorial service at the place where their loved one was laid to rest, while others prefer to have a separate location. The important thing is that this event provides closure for you and your loved ones as you say goodbye and reflect on the life of your departed loved one.
For this occasion, you may wish to create a memorial program with information about your loved one’s life, as well as readings and music that were significant to them. You may also want to display photos and other mementos. Friends and family can share memories and stories during the service, or you may choose to have a more formal eulogy.
Create a Tribute Website or Video
Another way to remember a loved one is to create a tribute website or video. This can be a simple site with just a few photos and memories, or it can be much more elaborate. You can also choose to post your tribute online, where it can be accessed by anyone interested in learning about your loved one.
Some people create a video with photos, songs, and memories that they share on social media or with their friends and family. Others hire professionals to create a more formal tribute video that can be shown at the memorial service or posted online for all to see.
Scatter Ashes in a Meaningful Place
This may include scattering the ashes at sea or burying them in your garden, while some people even choose to have their ashes mixed with paint so that they can be turned into an art piece. Additionally, some companies will turn ashes into diamonds or other jewelry for you to keep as a keepsake.
No matter where you choose to scatter your loved one’s ashes, it is important to do what feels right for you and your family. This decision should be based on the person’s wishes and beliefs, as well as what makes sense from an emotional perspective.
Plant a Tree in Their Honor
Another meaningful way to honor a loved one after they have passed away is by planting a tree in their memory. You can plant it yourself or give money to a charity that plants trees in memory of people who have died. Many organizations also offer memorial plaques so that people visiting the tree can remember their loved ones.
This tree can be a living tribute that will grow and change over time, just as your memories of your loved one will.
No matter what you decide, it is important to take the time to say goodbye in a way that feels right for you and your family. Whether you choose to hold a memorial service, create a tribute video or website, scatter their ashes somewhere meaningful, or keep their ashes close by with a customized urn, remember that the most important thing is honoring the life of your loved one in a way that helps bring meaning to your loss.