The AgingCare.com forum is filled with people coming together to share valuable information. We’ve compiled experienced caregivers’ best ideas for honoring a loved one’s memory and sharing their legacy with others.
Creative Ways to Honor a Loved One’s Memory
“My sister and I created an online blog where Mom’s family and friends could write their memories of her, and that helped us a lot. I think the best thing you can do is think of how your loved one would most like to be celebrated and remembered, then try to do that for them. It will bring you great comfort to have some ongoing memorial for them, whether it’s something online, a special ceremony where family and friends can gather, or a garden you plant for them. Aim for something they would appreciate that allows you to feel and remember your connection even though they are no longer physically present.” –vegsister
“My maternal grandfather was in France in WWI, and my father flew a P-38 in the Pacific Ocean theater of WWII. My sister proudly displays two folded flags, each inside its appropriately-sized triangular wooden display case in her family room to honor their memory.” –jacobsonbob
“Whether it was a long goodbye or sudden shock, the physical part of our loved ones is gone. We get through it by remembering the best reasons to carry on. I honor my mom’s memory by fighting for my son’s future and my own present. I tell Mom’s stories to keep her history alive. It doesn’t get better, it just gets different. Live well to honor the ones who are no longer here.” –guestshopadmin
“I find that I now want to share what I learned in taking care of Dad with others that are still going through it. I feel strongly that there needs to be an additional positive outcome (besides helping my own dad) from what I went through to make it even more worthwhile. Let’s face it, caregiving is a long, hard road and takes a physical and emotional toll. Being able to share my newfound knowledge on the Caregiver Forum and help others is a way of healing and honoring Dad.” –kltowson
“My sister was an animal lover. One of her friends donated a brick in her memory for a walkway at an animal shelter. Each donated brick was inscribed with a notation of that donation. I thought it was a unique way to commemorate their friendship as well as my sister’s lifelong love of animals. I often thought that someday I’d like to visit that facility and see what must be an extraordinary sight—all those bricks inscribed in memory of people who loved animals. If your loved one had similar passions, you might even consider volunteering at a local charity they would like to provide services in lieu of money.” –GardenArtist
“When you are ready, working out how best to honor a loved one’s memory takes time and effort. Creating memorials of some kind can help, like scrapbooks, photo albums, making donations to a favorite cause, planting a special tree and so on. I had a park bench installed on the trail across from my house in memory of my son. Nine years later, it still gives me comfort to see people use it. Friends have left flowers on it. You don’t stop missing them.” –golden23
“As long as I’m alive, I want the memory of my father to live on. Dad wasn’t rich or famous, but the legacy he left can’t be measured. The love and nurturing he had for me has passed down to my son and now to his daughter. This is my tribute to the greatest man I’ve ever known, my dad.” –AlwaysMyDuty
“So how do you move on and live life without them? My mom was the largest influence in my life and made me who I am. Sometimes even small things can help. Tonight, I painted my toenails for the first time in over two years. I painted them purple—Mom’s favorite color. She would have liked that.” –Rainmom