Honoring Your Loved One: 5 Ways to Keep Their Memory Alive

When someone close to us passes away, it can feel as if there is now a space in our lives that can never be filled. Although this loss will never get filled completely, there are things we can do to help keep our loved one’s memory alive…and feel closer to them. If you are talking to funeral homes in Dickson, TN., and grieving the loss of a loved one, here are five things you can do to honor, remember, and feel closer to your loved one.

1. Do Something They Loved

Did your loved one enjoy surfing, tennis, hiking, or cooking? Maybe they enjoyed volunteering at the local animal shelter, or local soup kitchen. If they had a favorite hobby, pastime, charity, or passion they enjoyed, join in. Participating in something that they love so much will bring you feelings of connection and closeness with them.

2. Create a Memorial

Keep your loved one’s memory alive by creating a memorial. The wonderful thing about this idea is that it can take many forms. It could be a bench that you have engraved and donated to a local park or arboretum or a plaque that you add to an existing structure in your own backyard or garden. There are many ways to create a memorial, both big and small. Some other ideas include:

• Creating a memorial wall in your home with photographs
• Planting a tree in their honor
• Planting a special garden with all of your loved one’s favorite flowers
• Creating a memorial scrapbook
• Organize a memorial walk or fun run

3. Make a Donation

Did your loved one have a special charity or cause they stood behind? If so, consider making a donation in their name. You could make a one-time donation or have a reoccurring donation set up to come out each month, once a year, twice a year, etc. Donating to a cause like this helps keep their memory alive and helps the charity they stood for.

4. Finish Uncompleted Projects

Are there any projects your loved one left uncompleted? Finishing these projects is a beautiful way to feel connected to your loved one and keep their spirit alive. These tasks could range from painting a room in the house to organizing a closet or writing a book. Whatever it is, big or small, finish it. If you feel you can’t do it alone or need more help, ask other family members for help or even hire professionals if need be.

5. Create a new Tradition

Traditions are great because they happen regularly. This could be weekly, monthly, or yearly. Creating a new tradition that honors your loved one not only ensures the event will happen often but also allows the event to be passed down for generations to come.

You could create a tradition around an aspect of your loved one such as if they loved to bake, you and your family could gather around one night a month and bake their favorite cookies. The tradition could also be setting a place for them at the dinner table for holidays and other special family dinners.

When we lose a loved one, the hole they leave in our world may never be completely filled but, by doing things to remember them and keep their spirit alive, we can feel a little more connected to them and a little more whole. While it is never easy talking to funeral homes in Dickson, TN. knowing ways to keep your loved one’s spirit alive can help ease a little of the pain.