While losing someone you love is very difficult, taking time to honor their memory can provide you with a way to celebrate their life and remember their story. Actively choosing to do something to honor a loved one may sound easy, but it can actually be a daunting task if you are still in the early stages of grieving, or simply don’t know where to start. 

Thankfully, we have taken the time to gather a wide variety of ideas that may help you get started. Whether you’re looking for a craft, an activity, or even to make a donation, this list will certainly help you get some ideas on what fits you, and your person, best. 

Creative Endeavors

There’s something about sitting down and putting your thoughts and memories toward a creative project that can be very therapeutic after experiencing loss. If one of these ideas works for you, that’s wonderful. But, if none of these are a perfect fit, we hope that these ideas help you get closer to finding a creative way to honor your loved one’s memory. 

1. Personalized Jewelry

Custom jewelry, such as necklaces or bracelets engraved with the person’s name, initials, or birthstone, is a beautiful way to keep their memory close. Some jewelers also offer the option to incorporate a small amount of cremation ashes into the design.

2. Write a Memory Book

A memory book filled with stories, letters, and photos can become a wonderful keepsake. Family members and friends can add their favorite memories, creating a beautiful collection that celebrates the life of your loved one. You can also keep it personal, the book can simply contain your special moments, letting you feel free to express them in any way you choose. 

3. Memory Jar

Invite family and friends to write down their favorite memories of your loved one and place them in a jar. On significant days, like birthdays or anniversaries, you can read through these memories for added comfort. 

4. Time Capsule

Create a time capsule filled with items that represent your loved one’s life — notes, photos, favorite items, or items that represent things they loved and enjoyed. Bury or store the capsule in a safe place and open it on a future date to revisit their memory.

5. Create a Photo Book

Put together a collection of pictures that capture the highlights and simple moments of your loved one’s life. A photo book serves as a visual journey through their life and can be passed down through generations. It can also be a way for you to remember all of the positive moments you shared and focus on the good, rather than dwelling in grief. 

6. Create a Playlist or Musical Tribute

Music is deeply personal, and creating a playlist of songs that are meaningful to you and your loved one can be really impactful. You can share the playlist with family and friends, or play it on special days of remembrance.

7. Create a Memory Quilt

Memory quilts are stitched from the clothing or fabrics that belonged to the person, creating a physical representation of their warmth and love. Each square represents a piece of their life, telling a unique story.

8. Create a Video Montage

Making a video montage of your loved one’s life, set to music, allows you to relive special moments. Share this with friends and family, or rewatch the video whenever you want to feel close to your loved one. 

9. Create a Memorial Website

Building a memorial website is a digital way to share memories, photos, and videos of your loved one. It can give you, your friends, and family a way to regularly revisit the person and cherish their memories from any location.

10. Create a Personalized Memory Box

A memory box filled with personal items including cards, notes, letters, special items, memorabilia, and pictures, is an intimate way to preserve your loved one’s memory. Open it during important times, or on special dates, to give yourself a chance to experience who they were during their life. 

11. Engraved Memorial Stones

Engraved stones can be placed in gardens or parks, personalized with names, dates, or meaningful quotes. These lasting tributes blend seamlessly into natural surroundings.

Memorial Activities

During hard times, sometimes the best thing you can do to honor your loved one is to get out and do something. Honoring them doesn’t necessarily need to become a huge project, but going beyond your personal skill set can make both the process and end results special for different reasons. It provides you with another lasting memory about the time you spent working on the project, and will also give you satisfaction when the task is complete. 

12. Memorial Bench

One of the most classic memorial ideas is installing a bench in a park, garden, or favorite outdoor spot. Plaques or engravings can commemorate the loved one, providing a peaceful place for friends and family to sit, reflect, and create a sense of connection. 

13. Plant a Memorial Tree

Planting a tree in memory of a loved one is a living tribute that can grow and thrive for years. Many organizations offer memorial tree planting services, or you can plant one in your garden or a special place.

14. Dedicate a Star

Naming a star after a loved one provides a cosmic reminder of their presence. Many organizations allow you to dedicate stars, complete with certificates and star maps so you can locate “their” star.

15. Scatter Their Ashes in a Meaningful Location

If your loved one was cremated, scattering their ashes in a place they cherished can be a profound and symbolic act of closure. This could be a beach, mountain, or even a garden. Think about going to a place where you shared special memories, or consider visiting a place they never had the opportunity to go. 

16. Memorial Garden

Planting a memorial garden full of your loved one’s favorite flowers is a calming way to celebrate their life. It can be a personal retreat where you can visit and reflect on their memory. You can carefully select flowers and plants that the person enjoyed, or that remind you of them, or that share different meanings. The gardening itself can be a time where you can cultivate memories of their love, and a place to revisit those memories whenever you choose. 

17. Commission a Custom Portrait

A custom painting or portrait is a lasting tribute that can be displayed prominently in your home. Artists can create lifelike images based on photos, giving a beautiful, personal touch to your memorial.

18. Memorial Tattoo

For a more personal tribute, a memorial tattoo can be a lasting reminder of your loved one. Tattoos can range from names and dates to more symbolic designs that capture who they were. Tattoo artists can even combine special memories and moments in a beautiful piece of art that can act as a visual memory book that you can wear proudly forever. The pain of receiving the tattoo can also help with grieving, and can help you feel a momentary connection to your person even though they’ve passed.

19. Memorial Candle

Lighting a candle in honor of your loved one on special occasions or days of remembrance creates a comforting and spiritual atmosphere. Some companies offer personalized memorial candles with names or quotes.

20. Hold a Candlelight Vigil

A candlelight vigil is a peaceful way to gather loved ones to honor and remember someone who has passed. It allows for a collective expression of love and remembrance. Candlelight vigils can be celebratory or solemn, but are a comforting way to share in their memory. 

21. Host an Annual Memorial Dinner

An annual memorial dinner, where friends and family gather to share stories and memories, creates a tradition that keeps the loved one’s spirit alive. This can be held on anniversaries or other significant dates. You may choose a restaurant or location that was a favorite of the person, and share a toast with those who want to remember them. 

22. Launch a Memorial Balloon Release

Balloon releases have been a long-standing memorial practice, symbolizing letting go and sending a message to the heavens. Biodegradable balloons or lanterns are recommended, and can be used to make this practice environmentally friendly.

Charitable Donations & Events

Sometimes when you are trying to do something to honor a loved one, doing something on your own or planning an activity just isn’t the right fit. You may feel the need to help others, or maybe that’s what your loved one would want their memory to include. There are numerous ways you can cherish the person’s memory by giving back to the community in their name. 

24. Donate to Nature 

Through Return Home’s Terramation process, there is a unique opportunity to donate any amount of your loved one’s soil to their Woodland. The Woodland is a piece of local land in need of revitalization, and is an 8-acre, privately protected greenbelt. Knowing that your loved one is actively and positively contributing to the environment can be deeply satisfying. 

24. Donate to a Charity in Their Name

Donating to a charity that your loved one was passionate about is a meaningful way to honor their memory. You can make a one-time donation or create a fund that allows others to contribute.

25. Organize a Memorial Walk or Run

Hosting a walk or run in memory of your loved one is a way to gather people together for a cause they cared about. Proceeds can go to a related charity, and the event can become an annual tradition.

26. Organize a Tribute Concert or Event

If your loved one had a passion for music or the arts, consider organizing a tribute concert, art show, or similar event. Family and friends can gather to celebrate their life while enjoying the art they loved.

27. Sponsor a Park Bench or Tree

Many parks and public spaces offer the opportunity to sponsor a bench, tree, or other outdoor features. This creates a public space where others can enjoy nature and reflect on the life of your loved one.

28. Make a Charitable Bequest

Including a charitable bequest in your will ensures that a cause your loved one cared about continues to receive support in their name. This lasting legacy can help make a difference in the world.

29. Volunteer in Their Honor

Volunteering at an organization your loved one cared about is a great way to give back while keeping their memory alive. Gather friends and family to join you, making it a meaningful group activity.

30. Memorial Scholarship Fund

Creating a scholarship fund in your loved one’s name supports future generations and ensures their passion for education or a specific field lives on. This can be a one-time award or an ongoing endowment.

Final Thoughts on Honoring Loved Ones

There is no right or wrong way to honor and memorialize a loved one. Deciding how and when you’d like to honor them is a personal preference, and something you shouldn’t feel pressured to decide right away. There is no timeline, no expectation. While remembering your person, take the time you need to take care of yourself, and then consider how honoring them may help you throughout your healing journey. Whether it is a creative outlet, activity, or charitable donation or event, we hope this list of ideas will help you find a way to reconnect to the love and memories you shared in a way that’s best for you.