Losing someone is always difficult, and it can often feel like you haven’t had time to grieve properly, or gather your feelings, with all the time spent sorting your loved one’s affairs and funeral arrangements.
While we all deal with loss in different ways, remembering your loved one after the funeral can help you work through these emotions and stay connected to them. There are a number of ways you can do this to reflect their life, personality and your relationship with them. This can range from the more traditional, to some truly amazing and unique ideas that will honour your loved one’s memory for years to come.
Headstones
As a timeless tradition, headstones mark where your loved one is buried, giving you a place to visit and remember them. Available in a variety of materials, sizes, designs and shapes, these can be customised in a way that reflects your loved one’s personality, often carved with a memorial message to celebrate their life.
Commemorative jewellery
After cremation, you can keep a part of your loved one’s ashes in a jewellery piece like a necklace, locket or earrings. As ashes are carbon based, you can also use them to create a unique gemstone. This is a lovely option for those who don’t want to be bound to one place, allowing you to carry a special reminder of your loved one and their memory wherever you go.
Scattering ashes
Perhaps your loved one had a favourite place, or you have a location that holds happy memories you shared together. Scattering a loved one’s ashes can allows you to commemorate the memories you had together, reminding you of happy times whenever you visit.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to scatter ashes at a specific location, there are other options. Some choose spectacular firework displays with specially modified fireworks containing your loved one’s ashes. This service provides an opportunity for family and friends to come together in a beautiful celebration of their memory and life.
Teddy bears
Knowing what to do with the possessions your loved one leaves behind can be difficult. In the case of clothes, they are often tied to memories of time spent together, so donating or disposing of them can be incredibly upsetting. Maybe your loved one had a favourite shirt, dress or trousers that reminds you of them. These can be made into teddy bears and soft plush animals, giving you a special keepsake and unique reminder of your loved one, which you can cherish with you in your home.
Keeping ashes
If you don’t want to scatter the ashes of your loved one, there are many ways you can keep them. Urns come in a variety of materials and finishes for both ornate and simple designs that suit your loved one’s style.
Alternatively, scatter tubes offer printed designs that can be personalised to your loved one’s memory. They are biodegradable so can be kept, or if you decide it is right for you, they can also be buried in the ground to become one with the earth.
There are also some truly unique and creative ways to keep ashes. Services are available that can press your loved one’s ashes into a vinyl record, with audio of your loved one or their favourite song, for example.
Memories are one of the most important things that keep you connected to a loved one in their passing. These are just some of the ways you can commemorate them in a unique, lasting and special way.
For more information on memorialisation, get in touch and a member of the team can help to point you in the right direction.