When you lose a parent, a dear friend, or a sibling, it’s important to remember that you’ve only lost them in a physical sense—the memories you made together will remain with you forever. If you’re hoping to manifest those thoughts and emotions into something tangible, there are a number of ways to memorialize a loved one, especially after cremation. Use the following ideas to start brainstorming the perfect commemorative token.

3 Heartfelt Ideas for Memorializing a Loved One

1. Incorporate Their Remains Into a Tree Planting

Since trees long outlive people, memorializing your loved one with a majestic planting can be a true comfort—you’ll know that multiple generations after you will have a sacred place to pay their respects to your loved one. Instead of just dedicating a planting to your grandparent or spouse, consider mixing their cremation remains into the soil with the seeds. You can even invest in a biodegradable urn to plant in the ground.

2. Preserve Their Handwriting

If you have love letters, postcards, or even grocery lists written by your lost loved one, you can honor their memory through their unique handwriting. With the help of visual software applications, you can create a file with a digital form of this real-life typeface. From there, you can have it printed on a throw blanket, blown up as a piece of artwork, or made into a tattoo.

3. Create a Masterpiece

Some loved ones left their mark on the world with beauty or artistry, and you’ll want these shining qualities to be a part of their commemorating artifact. Advancements in technology now allow for diamonds to be made from ashes after cremation, as well as blown glass works of art. You can even commission a fine artist to create a portrait of your loved one from your favorite photograph.

If you’re interested in planning a cremation for your late friend or relative, get in touch with the compassionate professionals at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home of Charles Town, WV. They offer both burial and cremation services to families in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, and they can help you arrange a funeral that lives up to your loved one’s legacy. To learn more about their offerings, including grief support, call (304) 724-6500 today. You can also visit the website to learn more about cremation and burial services.