Permanent Memorialization Ideas: Honoring Your Loved Ones in a Meaningful Way
After the funeral is over, a permanent memorial can provide family and friends with a dedicated place to continue their healing journey. The grieving process doesn't end when the funeral service does. Oftentimes, the services are just the first steps to healing and recovery. It can be hard for the bereaved to return to their regular routines so soon after the services are over, especially given the demands of the modern world and the limits that many employers place on allowed time for grieving.
Creating a lasting tribute can give family and friends a permanent place to visit when they need help feeling connected to the loved one who has passed. It serves as a focus for their memory and provides a private space for reflection and peace. It can also serve as a location for family and friends to commemorate important occasions and can help make it easier to cope on meaningful dates like birthdays or anniversaries. As the years' pass, a permanent memorial can also become a link to the past for younger generations who may not have had the opportunity to meet the departed loved one during their lifetime.
Unique Permanent Memorial Ideas to Consider
- Complete their unfinished business
You can finish something for your loved one if they died without visiting a specific location, solving a mystery, or researching something significant to them. It can be helpful to memorialize your loved one in a way that is significant to you and your family. Try to learn one thing that your loved one has always wanted to do but hasn't had the opportunity to do, and then do it yourself. You can take their dream vacation if money isn't an issue. When money is scarce, you can go to your local library to learn about something they've always wanted to learn.
- Get a local landmark named after your loved one
Speak with local officials about naming a street, bridge, park, or another landmark after your loved one. To mark the event, hold an official naming ceremony. This distinction is usually reserved for persons who have had a significant impact on their town or country, such as veterans, but you may be able to purchase the naming rights. This is a great way to keep their memory alive in your community.
- Create a viral memorial meme
If your loved one was particularly funny or had a catchphrase, you can create a memorial meme in their honor. Spread it around the internet to keep their memory alive. You can also create memorial Facebook groups or pages dedicated to sharing memories of your loved one. This is a great way to keep their memory alive and connect with others who are grieving.
- Make a documentary about their life
Record all of the places your loved one lived, worked, studied, visited, and frequented with your phone or a video camera.. You can even interview family and friends about their favorite memories of your loved one. This is a great way to memorialize their life and share it with future generations.
You can also create a website dedicated to their memory. Include photos, videos, articles, and anything else you think would be meaningful to people who want to remember your loved one. You can also use this website to keep everyone updated on memorial events and services.
- Plant a tree in their honor
Another great way to memorialize your loved one is by planting a tree or flowers in their memory. You can visit the memorial every year to pay your respects and reflect on fond memories. This is also a great way to teach children about the cycle of life and the importance of honoring those who have passed away.
- Establish a scholarship in the name of a loved one
If your loved one was passionate about education, you can memorialize them by establishing a scholarship in their name. This will help future generations and keep your loved one's memory alive for years to come. You can also donate to an existing scholarship fund in their name or set up a memorial fund at their Alma Mater.
- Be artistic with their permanent memorials
You can get memorial tattoos, sculptures, or paintings made in their honor. This is a way to keep your loved ones close to you always, celebrate life, and display your love for them in a public way. You can even go further by creating a song and having a professional do the arrangement for you.
- Create a coat of arms
Every family had a coat of arms in the "olden days" to indicate what they stood for. To do the same, create a modern coat of arms art piece in commemoration of a loved one. Make a 3D artwork on a canvas using their favorite colors, characters, animals, sports, and other items. Paint the items and arrange them in the shape of a classic coat of arms on the canvas.
- Make a bench with a plaque of your loved one's name
This is a popular memorial for people who loved spending time outdoors. You can buy or make a bench and put it in your backyard, local park, or any other place that was special to them. Make sure to get a plaque with their name on it so that everyone will know who the bench is in honor of.
- Just for fun, dress up as your loved one during Halloween or on their birthday
One way to keep your loved one's memory alive is to dress up like them on Halloween or on their birthday. This can be a fun and festive way to remember them while also getting into the holiday spirit. You can even take it a step further and make a costume that resembles how they used to dress. Whatever you do, make sure you have a good time and keep their memory alive.
There are many ways to memorialize your loved ones in a permanent and meaningful way. By doing so, you can keep their memory alive while also honoring their life in a special way. These are just a few ideas to get you started. If you need assistance with planning a funeral service, get in touch with Smith & Miller Funeral Home by calling us at (678) 901-1234.