Moving Forward After a Loss: 5 Ways To Celebrate Your Loved One’s Life
Most people know what a memorial service is, but not many have heard of a celebration of life. While, with both of these types of services, you’re saying goodbye to a loved one, the celebration of life is a way to bring joy and is often a way to show the individual’s personality. A memorial is more of the traditional way of celebrating a loved one’s passing.
There are many different ways to celebrate your loved one’s life that is as unique as they were. Below we will go over a few of them, and you can see if any catch your eye. If not, then you’re sure to find one that does.
- Have a Dinner Party
Depending on what type of dinner party your loved one enjoyed having, you could make reservations at their favourite restaurant or plan for a picnic at the beach that will last well into the night. Find some items that remind you of them, the food they would enjoy, and get ready to tell some good stories. Coping with a loss is heartbreaking and can be hard to talk about. This is why bringing a group of loved ones together can help.
2. Plant a Celebration of Life Garden
Even if your loved one wasn’t a gardener, this is sure to be an idea no one will forget. People see life as being circular, and the garden should reflect that. It doesn’t need to be anything large, just something small for you and your loved ones. You can ask whoever comes to bring a small plant or seed to plant. This will create a beautiful place you can enjoy for many years.
3. Spend The Day Doing Their Favourite Activity
What was your loved one’s favourite thing to do? You and your family can spend the day celebrating their life doing it. Maybe they loved to roller skate. If so, then grab everyone and head down to the neighbourhood skating rink. Once you’re done skating, perhaps you all can sit quietly somewhere to exchange different experiences you all had.
4. Plant a Memorial Tree
This one is growing fast in popularity. Some people who are choosing to be cremated have asked their loved ones to plant a tree in their memory. Another way to do it is to decorate their favourite tree in some way. If they loved wind chimes, buy one and hang it in the tree so every time you hear it, you’ll think of them.
5. Volunteer at Their Favourite Charity
This is a fantastic idea. Not only are you doing something to honour your loved one but you are also giving back to others. Another choice is you can run or walk in the charity of their choice under their name. There are many worthwhile charities to donate to and they are always in need of help.
6. Create a Video Tribute
You can ask friends and family to share their favourite stories of your loved one and put together any videos you may have along with photos of them throughout the years as a tribute. This is a great way to share stories and keep their memory alive for many years. If you don’t know how to do this on your own, some places will do it for you.
7. Take a Trip To Spread Their Ashes
No one knows your love ones quite as you do. If they opted to be cremated, you and your family could spread your loved one’s ashes at the location of their choice. If they wanted their ashes to be spread out of town or even out of state, it’s a great excuse to take a mini-vacation.
People pass for many reasons and they are always hard and leave a hole in our lives. Taking the time to grieve is going to be essential to your health as well as the health of your family. If your loved one died due to an accident or some type of negligence, make sure you reach out to a qualified attorney for assistance.
If you don’t think that a traditional memorial is the right way to celebrate your loved ones’ life, you now see you have many choices. You can do something as simple or as expansive as you want. The main thing is that you celebrate your loved ones’ life as they would want you to.
