After the death of a loved one, coping with the loss is not easy. Losing a loved one is traumatic and may cause severe shock, hopelessness, depression, and profound emotional reactions. When you lose a dear one, life is never the same again. People cope with the loss differently, and the death of a loved one can have many adverse effects.
Experts confirm that grief can be physical, causing your heart to literally ache, stomach clench, heart racing, extreme fatigue, headaches, and nausea, among many other symptoms. Grief increases inflammation, and as a result, the health problems may worsen, or new ones manifest. Losing someone close may also lower your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to infection and adversely affecting your mental health.
One of the ways to overcome the sense of powerlessness that death deals you is by honoring the departed person. It is an essential aspect of healthy mourning that begins to ease the agony of your loved one by focusing on the positive impact they had on you.
Do not restrict yourself to a limited set of options when honoring the life of a loved one. Try and make it different, or even fun! You may find significant meaning and comfort in ways that you never expected. See below some ideas that may inspire you to capture the unique essence of the departed.
Memorial Services
Funeral processes are draining and time-bound; most of the time, the people involved operate mechanically. However, when the dust settles, and you get a grip on your emotions, time, and mind, you will want to hold a befitting memorial in honor of your loved one.
Memorial ceremonies can take place a week, a month, or even a year after the death and burial of your loved one. You can set the tone and choose to celebrate life by having a memorial party and having attendants share a story about the deceased while keeping the story fun throughout the ceremony. Guests may bring things like a batch of sympathy flowers, among other gifts; consider giving people a gift to remember that deceased.
Build A Memorial Bench
Intricate gravestones can be lonely, and memorial benches are no longer tied to existing cemeteries. Memorial benches are now a novel way of honoring your loved one. You can choose to have one by the graveside or purchase a bench at the deceased favorite park, restaurant, or landmark.
Surviving family members and friends may purchase a memorial bench for charity or support an organization their loved one cherished. Money spent on a memorial bench can support fulfilling causes like environmental conservation. Besides supporting family members, honoring the departed is a great way to add value to the community.
Visiting Their Final Resting Place
While grief has no timeline, intentional efforts to ground you help in a significant way. One way to cope with grief is by visiting the deceased’s final resting place. The final resting place differs from one person to another, depending on the funeral rites according to the deceased. To some, a final resting place is a cemetery; however, to those who were cremated, it may be a park, water body, or any other place the ashes were disposed of.
Mourning comes with many emotions, and visiting a loved one may provide a time of solitude, prayer, and contemplation. It helps to slow down, take time to think, and pray. However, doing it at their final resting place impacts you differently.
Plant Something
Planting something to honor a loved one is an old practice but a beautiful tribute with life-affirming symbolism. Various seasons of plants are an excellent reminder of life stages. You can either opt for memorial garden plants that the deceased loved or to create a place of peace to remember and evoke precious memories.
You can consider different planting ideas before settling for one that suits you. Try different things and see what works best for you as a memorial garden is a profoundly personal space; hence what works for one may not work for another. Combining a marker, bench, or another commemorative item with plants is a great way to honor the departed.
Create A Memorial Photo Book
The memories and thoughts of our loved ones remain dear long after they are gone. Creating a photo book remains one of the most reliable and practical ways of honoring a loved one who passed on. Going through their photos and all the beautiful memories is an excellent way to celebrate their life, hence the need to create a photo book.
A memorial photo book is a unique way of preserving moments you can share with friends and family and an essential healing process. Through the stories told, memories, and photos shared, the legacy of the departed live on. Go through the photos and choose the different moments you wish to showcase. Since not all the photos can fit in the book, digitize the rest.
Mementos
When a loved one passes on, holding on to items as keepsakes is as common today as it was decades ago. According to a study from the University of York, items like grinding stones and spoons were kept as an emotional reminder and continued a bond with the deceased during the Iron Age.
Though keepsake items are different, the practice is still alive today. You can keep a piece of jewelry, a cloth article, or even a hat that belonged to the deceased. A wristwatch, ring, or chains are some items you can always carry with you and make you feel connected and near your loved one.
Conclusion
Remembering the departed comes in many forms and expresses respect, gratitude, and admiration if done well. There are no laws governing the procedure. Honoring a loved one who passed on can be a quiet routine or an elaborate event, depending on many factors. The most crucial thing is to keep the deceased memory alive and celebrate the value they added to your life.
Losing a loved one can cause grave emotional wounds; however, honoring them helps in the journey of healing, acceptance, and closure.
