As we get older, many of us will be aware of our mortality and as such, will do anything to try and stay healthy for as long as possible.
However, it’s often down to luck just how long we get to live on the planet and for some, that might not be so long, for others, until they’re well into their golden years of living.
When a loved one does pass, the heartache and pain are often indescribable. It’s something that is lived with, rather than overcome, with no time stamp on how long that grief will last.
Once the dust has settled, it’s worth looking at how you could continue to honor your loved ones in unique ways. Whether it’s planting a tree to creating a DIY memorial, there are plenty of options that can help you celebrate those you’ve lost over time. Here are seven unique ways to honor your loved ones every year.
- Plant a tree
Planting a tree is a great way of immortalizing their legacy in the form of a tree. Trees are a symbol of growth and life, lasting long after the person who planted it has gone. Some trees see generations go by, which is why it’s often a good idea to use it as a way to honor your loved ones.
Not only that, but trees are a wonderful way to give back to the earth, seeing as so many are being chopped down to make way for new homes and buildings. Where possible, giving back to the earth is a great way to support it’s future for other generations.
There are also plenty of tree types that need planting and you may find that a certain tree makes you think of your loved one over others.
- Support their favorite charity
Charities are always in need of support. There might have been a specific charity that your loved one relied on during their last few weeks or months.
It could also be that they worked with a charity during their time alive, that they felt passionate about or had an affinity towards.
Supporting their favorite charity is a great way of honoring their memory, especially if you’re able to do it regularly. With that being said, look at finding ways to give back to the favorite charity. This could be a charity run or finding time to do a baked goods sale to your local neighbors and loved ones.
- Light a candle
Lighting a candle is a traditional and typical symbol for celebrating life. If you’re looking to remember your loved one in a simple way, then lighting a candle is a great way to do that.
When lighting a candle, you might want to do it on a daily basis, or you may want to keep it for just special occasions like on their birthday for example.
With a candle, you should look to find ones that hold more meaning. You could always get one personalized, especially if it’s one you’re only going to light once a year or once in a while.
- Have something you can wear
A piece of jewelry or item of clothing that belonged to them is a great way to help celebrate their legacy and to have something of theirs on you every day.
If there’s nothing like that, then something you could get before they pass away, is a piece of jewelry with their fingerprint on it. These can be found via a place like Memorials.com which captures your loved one’s fingerprint and immortalizing it forever and always.
This type of jewelry is priceless, so it’s definitely something that’s worth the investment in order to remember your loved one.
- Host a legacy party
A legacy party is definitely a unique way of celebrating your loved ones but can be a wonderful opportunity to get together all your loved ones friends and family. Whether it’s done once a year or perhaps every five or ten years, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate those who are no longer with us.
The wonderful thing about hosting a legacy party is that you can continue meeting up with those who were impacted by that person and that meant something to them in return. Having those connections still in your life is important because it can help share the stories and keep your loved one’s memory alive too.
- Visit their final resting place
A simple way of honoring your loved ones is by visiting their final resting place. However, this is a very typical way of reconnecting with your loved ones, especially when visiting a graveside.
If you’ve cremated your loved one though, you may have spread their ashes in a place specifically or in multiple places.
With that being said, this seemingly typical way of honoring your loved one could be made unique by spreading them across various places near and wide.
That way, you’ve got a great excuse to travel to these places in order to pay your respects to your loved one.
- Volunteer and give back in their name
Giving back on behalf or in their name is a great way to celebrate and honor your loved one. While not everyone has the time to volunteer with work commitments and family life, there are certainly times when you may have the time to volunteer.
Volunteering is something that’s always going to be needed so where possible, you should try to make the time to do your bit. From assisting the charities directly to helping local and community-led organizations with your time. Every bit of help you can provide is time that’s also spent honoring your loved ones.
Honoring your loved ones is a great way to remember them. With that being said, it’s a good idea to look at ways you could remember your loved ones personally. Use these tips to help honor your loved ones this year and every year they’re no longer on earth.
