Emily Dickinson wrote, “Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.”
If you’ve felt the death of a loved one, you know that your loved one is still with you. Even after they’ve passed away, you want to honor your dear one. Finding ways to honor their death keeps them close.
Here, you’ll find six practices that acknowledge the pain of the death of a friend, and help you express your gratitude and grief. Keep reading to discover ways to honor your loved one after they’ve passed on.
1. Honor Their Birthday
Even if you don’t celebrate it, you’ll always remember their special day. Instead of avoiding it, why not embrace the celebration? Honor their birthday with an event that you know they’d love.
2. Honor Their Death Anniversary
After the death of a friend, the day of their death will stay with you too. Don’t be afraid to honor that day as well. You can do something as simple as visiting their grave or just taking some time to think of them on the day.
3. Make Their Favorite Food
Nothing connects people like food. It’s comfort, celebration, connection, and tradition all in one.
That’s why you should keep making someone’s favorite food after they pass away. Whether it’s an old family recipe or their own unique invention, it keeps you connected to them.
4. Scatter Their Ashes
If your loved one opted to have his or her remains cremated, you can honor them by placing them in a sentimental location. Many people spread loved ones ashes in water. This creates a beautiful and meaningful farewell.
5. Plant a Living Memorial
Visiting a memorial headstone can give comfort after the death of a loved one. However, a living memorial reminds you that their spirit lives on. You could:
- Plant a special tree on private property
- Have a flower bush planted around their grave
- Have a tree planted in their honor at your local park
Seeing the living memorial revive every spring reminds you that your loved one is gone but not forgotten.
6. Continue a Tradition After They’ve Passed Away
Did your loved one have a favorite Christmas tradition? What about a morning ritual that they always did?
Whether it’s a yearly trip to a beautiful beach, Christmas morning cinnamon rolls, or some other practice, there’s no need to stop. Keep their memory with you by continuing those traditions.
Gone But Never Forgotten
Choosing how to honor a loved one after they’ve passed away is never easy. However, it can still be a rewarding way to keep your deceased friend or family member close to you.
These seven ideas will give you a place to start. Choose one of them, or come up with your own way to commemorate the death of a loved one. Remember, there is no right way to grieve.
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