20+ Ways To Honor The Memory Of Lost Loved Ones

Plant a tree

Image Source/ Death & DyingPlanting a tree in the memory of a loved one is an almost perfect way to represent the life they put out into the world. The longevity of the tree gives you a sense of their never-ending presence in your life, offering shelter at your worst times.

Get a tattoo

Image Source/ Psyche.coThink of having a tattoo with your friend's name, birth and/or death dates, along with an image like an angel or another meaningful symbol. Consider obtaining a message written in their handwriting as an added touch. It is a dedication to their legacy that won't erode with time.

Make a donation in their memory

Image Source/ Friends of the EarthThere might have been a cause that your loved one was passionate about while they were still alive, and a great way to honour this would be to raise money for that cause. Whether it be doing a fundraiser or simply donating money yourself, it's a thoughtful touch.

Make a memory jar

Image Source/ Beanstalk MumsWriting down all the fond memories you spent with your late loved one can be a great way of revisiting them when you need that pick me up. While it showers you with the happy memories, it also allows you to never forget how they changed your life for the better.

Personalised jewellery

Image Source/ Not on the high streetSeeing the hand-written scrawl of a lost loved-one can invoke strong memories. Why not consider getting a piece of jewellery made, ring or necklace, that features their writing. If you can't find this, why not have it made with a lock of their hair or their ashes.

Take an item on your travels

Image Source/ Adobe StockKeep yourself close to your lost loved one by taking a possession of theirs with you on your travels. It could be their favourite hat, shirt, jewellery, book, anything. As long as it is with you, you might feel a sense of peace and security that they are too.

Set a bouquet of flowers next to a photo

Image Source/ Blooms by GKeeping a photo of your loved one up in the house, or on a table, can create a safe space for you to leave memorabilia, flowers and candles. By buying flowers each week to look down on your loved one, it creates a sense of unity, comfort and security that they're still with you.

Frame something they wrote

Image Source/ FramebridgeThe easiest of these would be a birthday or Christmas card, but you might like to frame something more meaningful like a poem or recipe. Having the frame put up in your house will encourage you to think about them while you pass by it, remembering them always.

Save them a seat

Image Source/ Country Living MagazineIt can be a sign of respect for your elder if you continue to set them a seat at the table at gatherings, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. It will allow your family to feel closer to their memory and acts as a reminder of their presence in your family.

Erect a bench to their memory

Image Source/ The TimesBy sponsoring a bench in their memory at their favourite park, you can not only remember them yourself, but allow others to remember them too. By taking a moment to sit at the bench and ponder, you'll be more sure that they're right by you, listening.

Make a scrapbook

Image Source/ Scrapbook.comIf you're more of a visual person, try gathering photos of your late loved one, all throughout their life, and put them into one custom scrapbook. This way, you can relive the memories you had together after they are gone, never letting the memory of them slip.

Dedicate an event to their memory

Image Source/ Leeds MindMake an annual commitment to doing something they enjoyed. An excellent approach to celebrate your loved-one's life and encourage others to remember them is by hosting an annual or one-time event in their honour. The event may even serve as a fundraiser for a cause close to their hearts.

Host a celebration of life ceremony

Image Source/ The TelegraphAfter their funeral, you may decide to plan a memorial ceremony honouring your late loved one, either shortly or a while after their passing. Another meaningful method to honour your partner's memory and draw attention to a cause they supported is to hold a vigil.

An online memorial

Image Source/ TalkDeathWhy not create a multimedia memorial for your friend using a memorial website online? A simple Google search will open up lots of options, some allow you to post whatever digital files you have that can help convey the story of your friend's life, including pictures, videos, and documents.

Dedicate a day to them

Image Source/ iStockWhether it be their birthday, the day of their death, or any day really, try dedicating a day of your year in the memory of your loved one. You might want to spend the day alone with your thoughts or out on adventures to keep you thinking of them always.

Light a special candle

Image Source/ Eastern Daily PressLighting a candle, especially on a significant day, is an intimate and easy way to commemorate a late loved one. Not only can it help you shed "light" on their never-forgotten presence, but also the warmth can resembled how close they still are to you.

Recycle their clothes

Image Source/ Baby LockSome people like the personalised and intimate touch of a throw or blanket recycled from the old t-shirts and jumpers of someone that's passed away. While they are not hard to make, they prove very good as comfort blankets for the night and are a great way to remember someone.

Write a memoir

Image Source/ Indoindians.comFor you writerly types, you might want to write the memories of your loved one into a short (or long) memoir, that you can share with family, friends or even wider. You could write it from the perspective of your own memories, or try to put yourself in their shoes.

Release balloons/lanterns

Image Source/ JohnCakeAlthough these have received quite a bit of backlash with the nuisance they cause to the environment, biodegradable and environmentally friendly balloons or lanterns can be a great way to communicate with your loved one after they're gone, sending messages to them above.

Raise money for a cause

Image Source/ Breast Cancer NowDepending on how your loved one passed, you might wish to make a donation to a charity that were present in their final days. Or, if not, you could donate to a charitable cause that they were passionate about. Whether it be walking a marathon or a sponsored silence, they will be with you all the way.

Wear their favourite colour

Image Source/ Forever MursalGrief has no time limit, and so on those days when it's harder for you to get out of bed, try wearing your loved one's favourite color. It might make you feel that little bit closer to them while going about your day, allowing you to carry on with them by your side.

Create a ritual

Image Source/ The AtlanticThe ritual could be absolutely anything you can think of. It could be a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual thing. Usually, it starts a heartfelt gesture that eventually translates into something much deeper with a symbolic meaning to the one that's left.

Grow a plant/garden

Image Source/ Botanical PaperWorksYou can go as far as building a whole garden, or planting a singular plant, in memory of the person gone. While it is alive, it's beautiful buds can give you a sense that they live on regardless of where they are. It is an intimate way of honouring your loved one.

Share their stories

Image Source/ MasterlifeSharing photos is obviously a way to remember our loved ones, but don't overlook the fact that stories can be the best practice in keeping alive the memory of a loved one. Sharing their life experiences, their tales, can help you remember all the good they did.

Name someone in their memory

Image Source/ Raising Children NetworkIf you have any new family members about to be born, whether it be your on children or nieces and nephews, it can be a nice touch to name them in memory of a lost loved one. If you're getting a new pet, you might even want to name them after your loved one, so you can carry on their legacy.

Create a memory box

Image Source/ Crafts and PrintablesIf you're more of a kinetic person who experiences memory through smell and touch, it might be worth creating a memory box filled with objects and photos from their life. While it's a great place to store their possessions, it also gives you a sense of control in returning to their memory when you want to.

Write them a letter

Image Source/ HerWay.netIf you ever feel like you need to speak directly with your late loved one, why not try writing them a letter. While you might not actually do anything with it, it's a therapeutic way of expressing your troubles and feelings while remembering the life of your loved one.

Scatter their ashes

Image Source/ Crossroads HospiceIf you have hold of your loved one's ashes, it can be good to scatter them in a place (or several places). That way, they are scattered back into the Earth, as they came, and you will have that special connection with those locations you scattered at.

Stay close to your family and friends

Image Source/ FreepikOne of the most important things to do while your grieving a loved one is to make sure that you surround yourself with friends and family. There is no one better that will help you get through this difficult time, and to help you remember the loved one with.

Be Kind In Your Community

Image Source / The Nature of CitiesKindness goes a long way, and if you're feeling the death of your loved one, it may help you to deal with grief - as well as work in their memory - to work to be more kind in your community. You could get involved more and try to help others, or volunteer for community events.

Donate Money For A Well

Image Source / WikipediaYou might be able to find an environmental cause that you can donate to which will help to dig a well and create a source of fresh water for a certain place or those people who need it. This is also great if there's an opportunity to put a plaque or marker on the well in your loved one's memory.

Pay For Someone Else To Get A Tattoo

Image Source / ALOT LivingGetting a tattoo is a great way to honour a loved one, but you may not want to get a tattoo yourself. If you know someone, like another family memory, who would really like a tattoo to honour the same loved one's memory, you could always help to pay for it (or help to design it) for them.

Support A Cause Which Helps To Prevent The Kind Of Death Your Loved One Had

Image Source / HealthyWomenDepending on how your loved one passed away, you may want to look into causes that help to prevent other people dying from the same thing. This could be helping for road safety if your loved one died in a car accident, for example, or maybe supporting charities that work to make certain situations safer if your loved one died from environmental causes.

Run A Marathon In Their Memory

Image Source / PinterestMarathons are great to look into if you want a public and rewarding way to remember your loved one. Not only can you raise sponsorship for charity in their memory, you can also wear clothes and signs which show their picture and name whilst you're running the marathon.

Or Do A Memory Walk

Image Source / Chronicle LiveIf running isn't your thing, you could always do a memory walk instead, which is popular amongst those lost to dementia. Memory walks can see you getting sponsored to do the walk whilst spending time with others affected by the same thing, who have also lost loved ones.

Try A Hobby They Loved

Image Source / ShareablyIf your loved one had a hobby they were extremely passionate about, you could try taking a class or try to do the hobby in their memory. This not only keeps their memory alive, but also helps you to better understand who they were and why they might have enjoyed this hobby, so you can feel closer to them.

Plan An Annual Get Together

Image Source / HelloMissPatterson - WordPress.comIf you want to celebrate the memory of your loved one at a specific time every year - maybe on the anniversary of their passing - and you have friends and family affected by it too, an annual get together can be a great way to do this, especially if you do the same thing every year in their memory.

Write A Book To Inform/Help Others

Image Source / WiktionaryYou might have a lot to say about your loved one and the way they passed, and this could even help others, such as support for others going through the same thing. If you want to get all that down in writing, you could try for a book to help educate or support other people. It may also be therapeutic to write it all down while you're dealing with the grief.

Start A Blog

Image Source / ForbesThe same idea can be to start an online blog instead, if you'd rather go for more casual blogs that you can share with others online rather than writing a book to publish. The blog could be highly focused on your loved one and the way in which they passed, or it could just be a personal blog you make as a way of coping with what you're going through and sharing that with others.

Paint Rocks And Place Them

Image Source / Owatrol UKWhy not decorate some rocks with beautiful colours, images or messages in your loved ones memory, and then take them around with you to place in beautiful places, such as a scenic spot, a place they loved to sit or even just in places around the world.

Set A Personal Goal To Achieve And Make Them Proud

Image Source / KBI BenefitsThis is a great way to both honour your loved one's memory and achieve things you've been putting off for a while. If you have a personal goal you'd like to achieve, work hard to make it happen in their honour so that you can say 'look, I did it! I hope you're proud'.

Volunteer To Help Others Who Are Grieving

Image Source / FlexJobsYou could also volunteer as a grief mentor or someone who is there for counselling or support for others going through similar grief that you are. You might be able to look for opportunities in your community or look online for openings.

Foster A Dog

Image Source / Sad and UselessDogs are fantastic sources of love and comfort when you're going through a difficult time. They can provide unconditional support during the grieving process and beyond. You can also foster a dog to be able to talk to it about your loved one and tell your new dog all about who they were.

Fund A Scholarship

Image Source / WikipediaYou might want to make sure your loved one's name isn't forgotten by funding a specific scholarship in their name. That way their name can always live on in the names of others, too, as well as helping other people to achieve their goals.

Volunteer With A Hospice Or Hospital

Image Source / BBCThis can be a good option if your loved one was staying in a hospice or hospital before they died and you would like to honour their memory by volunteering there. Especially if the hospice/hospital did a great job of caring for your loved one in their final moments.

Make A Recipe In Their Name

Image Source / PinterestIf your loved one had their own favourite homemade recipe they always cooked for you, you could try to replicate it and maybe add a little something yourself to create a new meal you can then officially name after them. You can then pass the recipe down through the family, or around to friends.

Wear Your Loved One's Favourite Smell

Image Source / Everyday HealthMaybe your loved one had a favourite perfume they always wore, or they just loved particular smells like vanilla or cinnamon. You could then wear their favourite smell to honour their memory, and it also might help you to remember them if they always smelled the same way.

Give Away Their Books After Writing Messages Inside

Image Source / TripAdvisorIf you're going through your loved one's things and looking to donate some items, books are a great place to start. You can donate their favourite books to charity shops and also write a handwritten message in the cover, such as their name and why they loved the book, and that way every new owner of the book will be able to share in their memory.

Finish A Project They'd Started But Weren't Able To Finish

Image Source / actiTIMEMaybe your loved one was working on something important to them, which could have been building schools in a community or something personal at home such as upcycling some furniture. If they were never able to finish it, you could do it for them in their honour.

Sew their memory into clothing  

Image Source / realmenrealstyle.com This could be as simple as sewing their initials into a piece of your clothing. Or you may want to sew a saying they had or a note they once wrote to you. You could choose to sew this in plain sight where it can be seen by others, or somewhere hidden like inside your waistband so only you know it's there. 

Move something from their home to yours  

Image Source / thebridgeis.com When you're sorting through your loved one's home, have a look around. Some items may have sentimental value to you which you'd like to fit into your own home. This could be something small like a napkin or mug. You may find a large statement vase or piece of artwork. 

Buy their favourite flower  

Image Source / rsb.org.uk Is there a flower which reminds you of them? Maybe your loved one always had them in their home? Perhaps a flower that you knew to be their favourite? If you're struggling, you could pick their birth flower. Why not keep this flower in your home and replace them monthly. 

Go to a concert they would have loved  

Image Source / collinsdictionary.com When you're grieving, it can be difficult to get yourself out and about. Concerts can be a great way of boosting your morale! You could choose to get tickets to a band or singer which you wouldn't usually choose, but you know your loved one would have loved. 

Listen to a song they loved  

Image Source / healthline.com If going out to a concert feels a bit too much, simply playing their favourite song or artist can be a more private way of honouring their memory. When you're feeling lonely, breaking silence with their favourite music can be comforting and make you smile. 

Create a piece of art in their memory 

Image Source / pinterest.co.uk You don't have to be good at art to get stuck into this! It doesn't matter what it looks like! One idea could be a "coat of arms" to represent your loved one, including their favourite colours, animals, sport, etc. Or you may wish to simply use their initials and decorate the lettering. 

Set up a direct debit to a charity important to them  

Image Source / lovemoney.com If you feel like you want to make a donation that keeps on giving, why not set up a small monthly direct debit to a relevant charity? This may be the hospice which cared for them or a charity such as 'mind' to help raise money for something important to them. 

Make a documentary of their life 

Image Source / pxfuel.com You can use videos you already have on your phone or camera of your loved one. If you want, you could add to this by creating videos of where they grew up, worked, studied, visited etc. Then, using either an app or editing software, put it all together in a documentary-style film! You may make this fun and light-hearted or want to take a more serious stance. Why not then host a video night where you show your film? 

Start a “thoughts of you” journal  

Image Source / mindalcove.com Each time you think of your person or wish you could speak to them, use a journal to write down these thoughts, memories and feelings. If you're artsy, you could add doodles and decoration to your writing. Alternatively, you can just use it as a safe place to write. 

Have a memorial picnic at their favourite spot 

Image Source / coastalcrochet.com Maybe you could choose their local park, or a spot on the beach that they always loved. Whether you want to go alone or take other loved ones with you, gather some food that makes you feel happy or that reminds you of them and have a memorial picnic. 

Clean and decorate grave

Image Source / istockphoto.com Decorating their grave with ornaments they owned or would have liked help to add a personal touch. Every so often on your visits, you could choose to take a gentle cleansing cloth, a rake for leaves and twigs or even a small brush for the lettering. 

Make a memory table/corner in your home

Image Source / pinterest.co.uk If you have space in your home, you could choose to dedicate a spare table or corner to their memory. This could be done by simply adding photos of them, candles, some of their items, or tributes to their favourite things. This could become a spot to sit when you are missing them. 

Recycle their jewellery 

Image Source / afashionblog.com Give their old jewellery a new lease of life by reclycing it into something new! For example, perhaps they have a ring that wouldn't fit on your finger but you could thread onto a necklace which is more your style. Or perhaps the jewels in a broach could be embedded into a ring. 

Live your life fully 

Image Source / healthline.com Think about what they would have wanted for you in your own life. This could be aspects such as your education, ethics or life paths. Try to remember they would have wanted you to enjoy your life and be happy. Let their memory act as your role model. 

Butterfly release  

Image Source / capegazette.com  Releasing butterflies or birds can be a lovely way of honouring your loved one. The butterfly in particular is seen as a a symbol of freedom, love, new life or new journeys. This could be seen as honouring their journey from this life or as a symbol of hope for the future. 

Learn to do something they always wanted to do  

Image Source / millersmusic.co.uk Maybe your loved one always wanted to go to a pottery class but never quite got around to it. Or, perhaps they simply loved the sound of the piano and would have liked to see you play. Learning a new skill in their memory can be a fun way to remember them. 

Visit places you have fond memories with them  

Image Source / forestryengland.uk This could be a key spot that you frequently visited with them, or somewhere from your childhood where you share happy memories. Some people tend to avoid these places as they can be upsetting. For some people, visiting these places and remembering the happy times can be comforting and keep the memories alive. 

Visit places that they wanted to go 

Image Source / lesroches.edu Perhaps there is a country, cafe or experience which you know your loved one always wanted to tick off? You might think that they would be happy knowing that you have managed to tick this off your list. Travelling in their memory can bring a sense of achievement. 

Talk out loud to them  

Image Source / istockphoto.com If you're not much of a writer and struggle to talk to other people about your inner thoughts, why not speak directly to them? You could sit somewhere such as the end of your bed, in a significant spot or just chat as you're walking about your house. Telling them just a few words, or even a whole story you want to share with them, can be very therapeutic. 

Start a support group  

Image Source / helpguide.org Whatever you are feeling, the chances are you're not alone. Starting a support group could mean you're the reason that other people have support when they may otherwise have had nowhere to turn. People are stronger when they help each other, sharing stories and ideas. 

Create and name a drink in their honour 

Image Source / mirror.co.uk This could be a cocktail of their favourite flavours and drinks. Or, your very own wine, beer, or non-alcoholic drink. You could name your drink in honour of your loved one and create a label for it. Gift this to other close friends or family, or maybe serve it on special occasions.

Advocate for change

Image Source / insidehighered.com Maybe they were not lucky enough to share the best experience at their end. You could be unhappy with the way they were treated or how things were dealt with. Why not prevent others from going through the same struggles by campaigning for change where possible. 

Decorate Christmas tree with memory baubles  

Image Source / cleverchic.uk Christmas can be a very difficult time when you have lost a loved one. Incorporating aspects in their memory can help you to feel more positive. Putting a photograph of them inside a bauble on your tree can be a nice way of having them with you throughout the season. 

Create a playlist in their memory  

Image Source / istockphoto.com Compile a playlist full of their favourite songs, artists and genres. Include songs which remind you of memories you shared together or songs with significant lyrics. You could then name your playlist in honour of your loved one. This can be played whilst you're cooking tea, on a walk, or whenever you feel you need it. 

Visit those who knew your loved one  

Image Source / travelhealthpro.org.uk There may be people you were only connected to through your lost loved one. Perhaps you know it would have meant a lot to them if you stayed connected to these people. Visits where possible, or sending Christmas and birthday cards to them can be a nice way to keep the relationships going.

Design a t-shirt with their favourite saying  

Image Source / etsy.com Did your loved one have their own unique saying? Maybe they had a favourite quote? You could have this printed onto your very own T-shirt in their memory. You may choose to wear this out and about or choose to use it as a pyjama top if you wanted something a little more private. 

Throw them a birthday party

 Image Source / woodhallmanor.com Anniversaries and birthdays can be the most difficult days for people who are grieving. Why not turn this day into a celebration by hosting them a party? Surrounding yourself with friends and family can be helpful on days such as this and helps to keep their memory alive. 

Create a memory bear  

Image Source / memorybear.co.uk You could keep this for yourself, or perhaps it would be helpful for children who are struggling with loss. Memory bears can be made out of pieces of clothing, blankets or other material they owned. Having something to hug and hold can be comforting. 

Talk about them and keep their memory alive  

Image Source / sheknows.com Telling stories about their experiences or sharing memories that you have with them helps them to live on. There may be new family members that never had the chance to meet them. Chat to them about your loved one so they can experience their personality and life through you. 

Keep their social media active  

Image Source / istockphoto.com If they had a social media account, you may choose to keep this active. You could use this space as a somewhere to continue to share photographs, videos and memories. Other friends and family can then view and add content to this if they would like to.