Ways to Honor Loved Ones
Healing from the loss of a child is a painful and challenging journey. Nothing will ever take away the sorrow, but finding ways to honor and keep their memory alive can be comforting and a constructive way to cope with your loss. Listed below are some ways to honor your child. Perhaps one of these will resonate with you and provide some comfort as you walk this difficult road.
Practice Self-Care
This is a difficult journey; be kind and patient with yourself.
River Rocks
Leave river rocks with your loved one’s name painted or engraved on them at their favorite places and or when you travel, as this is a way to take them with you.
Share Their Love
Give something that belonged to your child or loved one to their best friends as a way for them to remember them and as a parting gift.
Create Art
Make a painting or sculpture, Photoshop a portrait, or write a poem, book, or song in memory of your loved one.
Trees
Plant trees locally or with the National Forest Foundation. May the animals run free, the flowers bloom, and songbirds sing in honor of your loved ones.
Give Back
Donate canned goods and used clothes to a local shelter.
Wind Phone
Visit and or create a Wind Phone.
Support
Support a cause that was special to your loved one.
Advocate
Advocate for an important cause related to the death of your loved one.
Volunteer
Help yourself by helping others: Volunteer at senior homes, local animal shelters, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Veterans Hospitals, Division of Developmental Disabilities, STEM programs, community gardens, National Parks, food banks, art museums, AmeriCorps, YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Audubon Society, Little League, Special Olympics, Adopt a Highway, Forest Service, etc.
Foundation Work
Create a foundation on behalf of your loved one and work in their name.
Pay It Forward
Create a scholarship endowment in honor of your loved one.
Travel
Travel somewhere you had intended to go with your loved one, knowing they’ll go with you from the other side.
Awareness
Participate in Walk for Epilepsy, Run for Cancer, March Against Drugs, etc., to bring awareness to the cause of your loved one’s death.
Citizen Science Project
Become involved in citizen science projects to work in their name.
Holiday Traditions
Celebrate the holidays and include your loved ones by making their favorite foods, knowing they will enjoy it with you from the other side.
Isaacs Ant Foundation
Make a beautiful bug barn, insect hotel, or bee box with your loved one’s name on it, like Isaac’s Bug Barn, and place it in your or a local community garden.
Dedication Bench
Donate a dedication bench to your favorite park or walking trail.
Say Their Names!
Share their stories and photographs: Say their names!
Smile More
Live your best life, knowing your smile will be their smile.
