Shortly after the funeral or cremation services, you will feel an immense sense of loss. Most people find it hard to function and go back to their routine. And that’s okay! What you are feeling is part of the grieving process. Don’t rush yourself because grief takes time, and the recovery varies for everyone.
Most people find it very comforting to channel their intense feelings into something positive. They create physical memorials to honor the deceased. It is a good idea for you to do this to preserve your memories. Doing so will calm your heart because you will feel your loved one is still right there with you. Consider these suggestions to help you memorialize your deceased loved one.
Plant a Lovely Garden
You can try planting a lovely memorial garden in the loving memory of the departed. Plant the garden in your backyard or in another peaceful location where you can visit frequently. Incorporate your loved one’s favorite flowers, selecting the colorful and vibrant that makes everyone happy. Add other accent pieces like ornamental statues that reflect the deceased’s personality.
Apart from being a lovely way to honor the person, doing so will be very therapeutic for you. Tilling the soil and planting the seeds or buds will help you release your stress. Communing with nature or “earthing” has many proven benefits. Studies show the earth’s electrons somehow transfer to the body, paving the way for the following:
- Assuring better sleep
- Improving blood flow
- Decreasing inflammation
- Relieving pain
Craft a Recipe Book of Fave Dishes
Every person has a favorite comfort food. It is a great idea to create a recipe book that includes your beloved’s favorite dishes. You can even try making it and take a step-by-step picture to include in the book. Aside from ensuring you get to eat a delicious meal in honor of the deceased, you can make cooking the dishes your new tradition. Make it more personal by writing the recipes. This can be a curated family heirloom that your kids will pass to your grandkids, ensuring the memory lasts for generations.
Create a Scholarship Education Fund
If you have money to spare from the estate, you can create a scholarship fund to honor the deceased’s passion. It could be for math, science, history, or art. A memorial scholarship in the name of your loved one is indeed an excellent way to ensure the kindness in his or her heart lives on. After all, this fund will assist someone in getting an education to improve themselves. The recipient will forever be grateful for receiving this gift. This method also assures you give back to the community as the person you helped will pay it forward by using what they learned. It is a generous gift that keeps on giving.
Participate in a Favorite Advocacy
Participating in your loved one’s favorite advocacy is a heart-warming way to honor the deceased’s memory. On top of that, it will help with the grief process because sharing your blessings with the less fortunate feels uplifting. You can try the following:
- Volunteer in a soup kitchen
- Help out in a local shelter
- Donate in their name
Keep in mind, getting involved with the deceased’s favorite charity will also ensure that the good work he or she began will live on.
Preserve the Unique Penmanship
You try framing the deceased’s handwriting, whether it is an old post-it note, greeting card, or even grocery list. Preserving this paper with your beloved’s unique penmanship is an excellent way to keep memories alive. After all, nothing can be more personal than someone’s written handiwork. Seeing this framed in your home will remind you of all the good times you shared. Some people amplify this idea and pay for engraving. They ask a specialist to mimic the penmanship in a bracelet, pendant, or even metal money clip. Wearing and carrying this with you every day will bring a measure of comfort.
Gaze Up at Twinkling Star
You can think about naming a star after the deceased. What better way to immortalize a loved one than with a twinkling star illuminating the night sky? This means you can gaze up at the sky each night and know that one star is specially named after your loved one. You can start by checking these sites:
You can imagine your beloved person lighting up your path no matter where you are. Register on these sites and pay a small fee. In turn, they will provide a certificate with the deceased’s name and the star’s location in the vast galaxy. Display this is in your living room or family room as a poignant memento.
Complete a Special Marathon
If you need movement, preparing for a marathon (or another herculean-like task) in the name of the deceased is very powerful. Besides, your perseverance in keeping the memory alive can also inspire your relatives and friends. More importantly, having something to focus on will help you cope. Exercise allows you to de-stress and manage your emotions better.
Remember, each person is unique, so everyone experiences and handles grief differently. There is no correct or wrong way to honor the memory of your departed loved ones. You must do what works and feels right for you. Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below, and let’s help each other out.