When you lose a loved one, there are a lot of decisions to make to properly memorialize them. A special monument is a common choice, but there are other unique ways to remember someone. Here are a few options to consider when you are planning a memorial.

3 Ways to Remember a Lost Loved One

1. Choose an Annual Day of Remembrance

Create a ritual around your loved one’s birthday, wedding anniversary, or the day of their passing. Or, participate in a cultural celebration such as the Day of the Dead. Bring your family together for special activities that your loved one enjoyed. Celebrate with favorite foods and visit their monument or gravestone with fresh flowers, candles, or pictures of the family.

2. Create a Memorial Garden 

A memorial garden is a living monument to your loved one, especially if they were fond of nature. Inquire at a local botanic garden, park, or other public space to find out the procedures for creating a memorial garden. Or, use private land that is either open to the public or for family and friends only. You can choose to donate money to a botanic garden in the name of your loved one, organize tree planting in their name, or sponsor a bench or seat in a garden or a public walk.

3. Name a Rose

There are many organizations that let you select a rose to name after your family member. This is a permanent naming and an amazing way to create a living monument. It’s especially powerful if each family member plants the rose in their yard. This keeps the loved one’s memory connected and alive within the entire family.

Memorializing a loved one is an important decision, especially since there are many ways to commemorate a life. Derrick Monument Company Inc, in Le Roy, NY, creates monuments, gravestones, headstones, and grave markers and also does repair work. Call (585) 768-8470 to start your memorial process or visit their website for examples of their work.