Finding a suitable way to honor a person’s life is never easy. You want it to be something unique and meaningful, but you also want it to bring comfort to those left behind. Striking a balance between something functional but that will also bring comfort is always complex.
A memorial gift could be something that you keep with you at all times, or it could be the gift of a place to have a quiet moment of reflection. When choosing the right bereavement gifts to honor a loved one, think about those who are grieving their loss and what would bring the most comfort to them. Here are ten ideas for memorial gifts that would be perfect for honoring a loved one.
Memorial Plaque
Not everyone has a graveside, particularly when the deceased is cremated. This can make it difficult for those grieving their loss to know where to direct their grief. Choosing a place to set a memorial plaque could help those who are grieving to find a place to enjoy a moment of quiet reflection. You could place the plaque in a crematorium, in a garden or in another special location. Remember to get the landowner’s permission if you are placing it on private land.
Memorial Bench
A memorial bench is commonly placed at a beauty spot or in a place that was particularly meaningful to the deceased. It will not only provide those who are grieving a place to visit and remember their loved one, but it’s also a service to the wider community. An inscription on the bench will let people know why it is there, so they can take a moment to appreciate the gift.
Memorial Garden
A memorial garden is a touching tribute to anyone who loved the outdoors. But you don’t have to have a lot of space to create a fitting memorial. A memorial garden could also be planted in a single pot and placed on a windowsill. Gardening is very therapeutic, so it can help with the grieving process. And when the garden is complete, you’ll have a serene space to reflect on the life of the departed.
Ashes Jewelry
Ashes jewelry comes in many different forms and can be a great source of comfort to those struggling with their grief. You could choose to have an individual’s ashes turned into a stunning diamond, or you could have them added to a secret compartment in an urn necklace. Memorial jewelry is available in many different forms, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, charms, earrings, and cufflinks.
Ashes Artwork
Commissioning a piece of artwork that contains the ashes of a loved one is an excellent choice of memorial. An abstract glass artwork is ideal if a portrait of the individual might be too emotional to look at every day. The ashes of the individual are scattered through the piece, allowing the owner of the artwork to feel their loved one’s presence whenever they look at the piece.
Keepsake Pebble or Token
Sometimes the best memorial gifts are small and discreet. A memorial pebble contains the ashes of the deceased suspended within the glass, and a memorial token is a small silver coin with a hidden compartment inside to house the ashes. Both are excellent gift ideas if you want to keep the memory of your loved one alive. You could place it in a memory box or keep it on your desk as a reminder.
Coral Reef Urn
For those looking for a more unusual memorial gift, turning your loved one into a coral reef might be just the thing you are looking for. Coral reef urns are filled with the ashes of a loved one and then placed in the ocean where they become a foundation for new coral reefs to grow. This would be ideally suited as a memorial for those who loved to travel and explore.
Tree Urn
Another unusual choice for a memorial would be to bury the ashes with a new tree. Planting a tree in honor of a loved one is an excellent way to bring forth new life after death. Planting trees is not only great for the environment, but it’s also an excellent way to channel your grief. The tree growing will mark the passage of time, and you will always have somewhere to visit and remember your loved one fondly.
Scented Candles
Candles help to bring light where there is darkness, so what better way to remember a person’s life than with a customized candle. Engraved lanterns are also a popular memorial gift idea that is a welcome addition to any home. Choosing scented candles is ideal for those grieving as scent can be incredibly powerful. It has the power to take you back to a time or place, which can help those grieving to process their feelings.
Star Chart
A star chart is a map of the sky at a specific moment in time. Since the alignment of the stars is always changing, a star chart can help a person feel connected to a specific moment in time on a celestial level. A star chart as a memorial gift could document the moment the person was born, the moment you met, or the moment they departed. This can be displayed as a poster or even stamped onto a necklace.
Closing thoughts
There are so many memorial gift ideas that could help an individual manage their grief. When choosing a gift, think about the type of person they are. If they are very private and like to keep their grief hidden, a small keepsake might be more appropriate. If they are more inclined to share their thoughts and feelings with the world, then a memorial gift that can be shared and displayed might be more appropriate.
The more thought you put into the gift, the more meaningful it will be, but remember that all the above-mentioned memorial gift ideas will help those who are grieving after the death of a loved one. Just the knowledge that they aren’t alone is often a gift in itself.
