Remembering a Loved One

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Creating a Memory Forever

Remembering a loved one is an especially important part of any memorial service. When a loved one passes, it is completely natural to feel the need to.  Memories are the precious gift that is left to hold on to, and there are many ways that you may continue to preserve these memories in remembrance of a loved one.  You may want to remember a loved one who has passed by recalling special memories that left indelible marks on your life. You may remember a loved one’s personality, character, likes and dislikes, funny anecdotes, or times of trouble and strength.  Remembering a loved one is personal to those who hold the memories of the one who has passed, but there are various methods by which one may continually remember a loved one with others who may share the loss.

One method of remembering a loved one is by collecting stories from others. Whether you have family and friends living close to you or far away, their stories and remembrances of a loved one will be invaluable. You may select to do this through story circles in which family and friends exchange special stories or moments in remembrance of a loved one.  Additionally, you may want to create a memorial tribute book or online memory album to remember a loved one.

Get in touch with those who knew your loved one. Ask them to write and send you letters talking about their memories, and to include pictures wherever possible. Collect and display these letters in scrapbook-type albums or in sheet-protectors in 3-ring binders, or any other way that will allow them to be viewed without being handled too much. Ask for permission to make copies to give to others in her immediate family.

Remembering a loved one is commonly done by sharing memories with others scattered around the world? Do you want to have a place to go to when remembering a loved one, no matter where you are? Many, many online memorial sites have sprung up over the last couple of years, and you have many options to choose from.

Another way to remember a loved one is by gathering memorabilia and treasures of the one who has passed. There will undoubtedly be many things that your loved one has collected throughout the years that have been very important to him or her. Create a "special spot" for remembering a loved one who has passed to put items that were special or things that remind you of him or her - favorite photographs, journals, her collectibles, etc. Be careful when doing this and talk about it with the other members of your family. It may be difficult for some of them to have this around, and they may not be quite ready for it.

Paying tribute during special times of celebration is an excellent way of remembering a loved one. There are certain times of the year when you will miss your loved one most terribly - an anniversary, a birthday, Christmastime, and other times when those special memories come back.  During these times, actively remembering a loved one and paying tribute can be even more valuable than recording memories on paper.