Memorials and Tributes

By: Elizabeth Grace - Updated: 30 Nov 2010 | *Discuss

 

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The death of a dear friend or family member can be a traumatic event, and often, survivors are overwhelmed with emotion after a passing. After a while, though, they may feel a need to memorialise their loved one, which can help survivors to heal as they share their treasured memories with those closest to them.

Honouring a Loved One's Wishes

Some people choose memorial services in lieu of traditional wakes and funerals. If a terminally ill patient expressed their preferences regarding arrangements, loved ones can honour them in the manner that they felt most appropriate. Sometimes, though, dying wishes are not known, leaving family members to proceed with plans that they feel would best represent their lost loved one's presence. For some, that may mean a simple service with only close friends and relatives in attendance, while others may feel the need to include a larger group.

Celebrating a Life

Many people view memorials as celebrations of a person's life and their accomplishments. This intention is often then conveyed to guests, who may take turns sharing their treasured memories of the departed, highlighting the person's strengths and gifts. Funny stories or those that show the character of the loved one can make the gathering a true celebration, allowing each person to memorialise the person in their own way and offer tributes to the impact that they had on their lives.

Online Memorials

The widespread acceptance of the internet as a means of keeping people connected has paved the way for a new mode of memorialising departed loved ones. There are a number of sites that allow family members to upload photos, add short biographies, and highlight the lives and accomplishments of those that have passed away, allowing distant friends and family members to view and if desired, sign guestbooks to share their own memories and feelings. Audio and video clips can be added, giving guests the opportunity to hear and see short snippets of the deceased. Profiles can be kept private, allowing only those who have been invited, or they can be open for public viewing, depending on the wishes of the family.

Scholarships and Charitable Donations

For some, contributing to a cause that held special meaning for the departed is a way to offer a tribute to their lost loved one while serving the needs of the living. Donations to medical research or memorial scholarships geared toward students who plan to work in the same field as the deceased can be especially meaningful and can serve as lasting tributes. If they had expressed a fondness for a particular cause or specified a donation in their wills, family members can be assured that they are choosing appropriate ways to memorialise the deceased, but even if no such association exists, choosing a reputable charity can be a nice way to honour the memory of a departed loved one.

Death causes a physical separation, but for those who hold fond memories of someone who has passed away, that person will never truly be gone. Memorials and tributes can be used to share the love and admiration that was felt for the lost friend or family member and can also allow others who may not have had personal relationships with the departed to understand and appreciate the life that they lived.

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