Together Remember.
Uplifing ideas for memorials for loved-ones.
Coming together in ceremony is an important way to recover from the loss of a loved one. Below we offer simple ideas that focus on finding joy in memories of times shared, items enjoyed, and places visited. Please consider these instead of releasing balloons outdoors.
Ideas for remembering loved ones and other members of your community.
A candlelight vigil is dignified, respectful, and offers a way to unite a community around a common cause, while doing justice to, and beautifully celebrating the life of the loved one being honored. It is a healing event; an opportunity for the community to come together and mourn as one.
Click here for guidance in planning a vigil.
See more memorial ideas at right and below.
Give everyone a balloon and a sewing pin, and tell them to write a message for their loved one. On the count of three — everyone bursts their balloons, “sending the mesage to heaven”. Then dispose of the balloons correctly.
Plant a native tree or native flowering bush. Enjoy the tree or shrub, and memories of your loved one, in every season. Add plaque with a special message. Credit: ANPDC
Contribute to the placement of benches, plaques, bricks, or other permanent memorial to honor those who died. Contributions can be done singly or as a family or organization. Credit: Paula Connelly
Install a bird bath or bench at a park near your loved ones home–something that people will enjoy for years to come. Credit: Virginia CZM
Visit a place special to your loved one and build a natural memorial. On the beach, use shells to form a circle or heart (as a group, give each person a shell), and write a message in the sand. Use twigs, stones, leaves. Take a picture to frame, and visit the place to enjoy the memories you built at the place with your loved one. Credit: VA CZM, NOAA MDP, CVW
Credit: Laine-Neimane
Remember the light someone brought to the world, to your life and to the lives of others they touched. Create a keepsake to hold candles on holidays and other special, meaningful dates. Frosted mason jar luminary are easy to make with friends and family.
Distribute or send people home from a memorial service with native seeds to plant at home as a living memory of a loved-one. Choose a plant of flowers, or even vegetables that they loved.
Create a scapbook (try digital too) that everyone can add to and share.
Create a wildlife garden with native plants that will attract butterflies and birds. Remember a life by supporting life. Credit: Jan Newton
Donate books to a local library, food to a local food bank, or pet food to a local animal shelter in memory of your loved-one.
Share the recipes of your loved one's favorite dishes. Family and friends can then take turns bringing that dish to pot-lucks and get togethers, representing your loved one there in spirit. Credit: Maureen Krudner
