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Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences you will ever endure. Someone who was once a fixture in your life and who helped to mold the person you are today is now gone. After losing somebody so close to you, it is not uncommon to host a memorial or seek out other ways to honor their memory. Finding the right way to commemorate your loved one can provide much-needed catharsis and help you heal.

Below, the staff from McGee Monument Co. in Morrilton, AR lists several suggestions for honoring the memory of your loved one.

Beyond Memorials: 5 Ways to Celebrate Your Loved One’s Life

1. Host a Memorial Service

Funerals are a formal ceremony in which friends, family, and members of the community can pay their final respects to the deceased. A memorial service, on the other hand, is typically an informal gathering where the closest friends and relatives of the departed come together to share favorite stories and memories. A memorial can be held on the deceased’s birthday, the anniversary of their death, or on another date.

2. Have a Photograph Enlarged or Framed

Many people choose to enlarge or frame a favorite photograph of their loved one. It can hang in the living room or be placed on a side table where it can easily be seen. You can choose a formal photo or one you feel best represents who the departed was in life.

3. Publish Their Writing or Artwork

memorialMany great works are published posthumously. If you knew your loved one was a talented artist or writer, you may consider sharing some of their work with the world after they are gone. Even if the piece never gets much notoriety, it is an interesting way to share them with the world.

4. Complete Charity Work in Their Name

Many charities allow you to make a donation or complete a service in memory of someone who has passed. You can sponsor an organization they also supported, or donate to one of your choice. This act of giving in your loved one’s name will ensure another person benefits because of them.

5. Keep Their Grave & Headstone Well Tended

Frequently visiting your loved one’s grave to place flowers or tend to the headstone is a simple but important way to honor their memory. This small act is a way for you to continue to make time and space for them in your life. Many people also find visiting a loved one’s grave is therapeutic and helps in coping with the loss.

For more memorial ideas or for help creating a headstone, call McGee Monument Co. at (800) 750-0177. To view their headstone options, including bronze and flat markers, visit them online

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