Aug 03, 2016
ASD is pleased to share this Guest Blog Post from Writer and Jewelry Designer, Mira Alicki. In this post, Mira provides several different ideas that can help the bereaved to honor and remember lost loved ones. Great tips to pass along to families to help them keep their loved one’s memory alive.
10 Ways To Honor a Lost Loved One
“Tears have a wisdom all their own. They come when a person has relaxed enough to let go and to work through his sorrow. They are the natural bleeding of an emotional wound, carrying the poison out of the system. Here lies the road to recovery.” –F. Alexander Magoun
We know that death is no laughing matter and that the loss of a loved one is one of the toughest experiences anyone has to go through. While time may heal all wounds, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help you cope with the loss of your loved one now.
1. MARK THEIR ANNIVERSARIES AND BIRTHDAYS
Make it a routine to celebrate their death anniversaries and birthdays. Gather your family and friends together for a small ceremony to celebrate their life and share happy moments from their lives. This will bring a smile back to the ones that are mourning and remember the life that was lived.
2. DEDICATE A CANDLE FOR THEM
Dedicate a small space in your house where you can place a favorite picture of your loved one and a candle holder. Engrave a special message, date, monogram or name on the candle holder to make it more special. Light a candle in the candle holder in your loved one’s memory whenever you are thinking of them and on special occasions.
3. LET A BALLOON LOOSE
For special occasions, like birthday or anniversaries, let a balloon loose in memory of your loved one.
“Balloons have many metaphorical meanings. Balloons signify trying to hold onto something but also signify letting go. With life, holding onto something that is not staying with you by choice is also very sinking, empty, and scary feeling. That is until you let it go and feel how freeing the release is. Sometimes we struggle so hard to keep something or someone with us, that we don’t see that the answer lies in letting go.”-Deborah Tindle
4. PLANT A TREE
Trees symbolize a new life or birth. As the tree grows and blooms, you will establish a connection and relinquish the lament of that loved one when the tree is grown. This could be added as a part of your therapy when you are feeling down. You may simply relate to the tree and absorb all of the wonderful green energy that surrounds it, thus uplifting your soul.
5. COLLAGE THERAPY
Create a collage of pictures of your loved one from every stage of their life. It’s a great way to remember all the wonderful times and memories you shared when they were alive.
“Collage is beneficial in this restructuring by providing the medium for experimentation, discovery, and protest. Just as a collage connects materials, it connects the past and the present.” – The Wiley Handbook of Art Therapy
6. CREATE A MEMORIAL
Engrave their name on a plaque and place the plaque on a tree or a stone. You will then have a special outdoor memorial in a garden. This creates a great special place for those that were never buried in the cemetery and don’t have a permanent resting place. In moments of sadness, you could look at the engraving and smile.
7. CRAFT A KEEPSAKE
Turn their favorite piece of clothing into a stuffed toy like a teddy bear or pillowcase to use as a keepsake or a decorative element in the house.
8. WEAR LOVED ONE’S ACCESSORY
Having a piece of a person with you at all times can help you feel a lot closer to your loved one, whether it is an heirloom or something special that belongs to them.
“A feeling of pleasure or solace can be so hard to find when you are in the depths of your grief. Sometimes it’s the little things that help get you through the day. You may think your comforts sound ridiculous to others, but there is nothing ridiculous about finding one little thing to help you feel good in the midst of pain and sorrow!”–Elizabeth Berrien (THOUGHTCATALOG.COM)
9. CREATE AN “IN MEMORIUM” VIDEO MONTAGE TRIBUTE
Create a digital tribute to your loved one’s life using clips of video or picture stills collected throughout their life. It may be one of the most creative and hardest tasks to accomplish but the payoff will be worth it. During their birthdays or other events, the video can be played as a beautiful memory to their life.
10. CREMATION JEWELRY: ASHES OR LIFETIME MEMORABIlLIA?
If you opted for cremation, you need a special urn to store and secure the ashes of your loved one. Cremation jewelry is the perfect way to keep your loved one close to your heart while being small enough to wear.
Here are some options for storing cremation ashes:
► Put the cremation ashes in an urn and leave it in a columbarium.
► Scatter their ashes in a place that is special to your loved one’s memory.
► Keep a portion of the cremation ashes and store them in the form of jewelry. This option allows you to wear a beautiful piece of jewelry while treasuring the life of your loved one.
Cremation jewelry is one of the more personalized ways to honor a loved one. Cremation jewelry comes in many forms and allows special personalizations such as:
♦ Photo-engravings
♦ Fingerprint Embed
♦ Message Engraving
♦ Animal Themed for Pets
♦ Locket Pendants with a picture of your loved one on one side and cremation ashes on the other
For those that want to keep their loved ones close to their heart, cremation jewelery provides a personal and discreet way to keep the memories of your loved one alive.
Mira Alicki is a jewelry designer and goldsmith for the past 22 years. Her passion for animals led her to create her own line of jewelry and online store to benefit charities. 40% of each purchase is donated back to the animal community. You can find Mira on Twitter (@FIMHjewelry) or Forever In My Heart.
About The Author
Jess Farren (Fowler)
Jess Farren (Fowler) is a Public Relations Specialist and Staff Writer who has been a part of the ASD team since 2003. Jess manages ASD’s company blog and has been published in several funeral trade magazines. She has written articles on a variety of subjects including communication, business planning, technology, marketing and funeral trends. You can contact Jess directly at Jess@myASD.com
