Losing someone close to you is a difficult experience, but it doesn’t have to mean that they disappear from your life. While everyone goes through the grieving process their own way, there are some steps you can take to remember them in a healthy and productive manner following the funeral. To help you stay in touch with their memory, here are a few ideas for how you can celebrate their life in the months and years to come.

How to Stay Positive After a Loved One Passes Away

1. Make Donations

One positive way to honor the memory of a loved one is by donating to a cause that was close to their heart. For example, donate to environmental agencies if they were passionate about nature, or to cancer awareness if they had the disease. Not only does the act of giving instill happy feelings in you, but knowing that you are helping support a cause they cared about allows you to feel close to them. You can also make it a part of the funeral services by asking for donations from attendees.

2. Share Happy Memories

This is especially useful at the funeral, but it can be done long after as well. Having a group of people close to the deceased share their fondest memories allows everyone to remember how special their relationships were. You can create a social media group to stay connected to their friends and family following the service, sharing images, thoughts, and other mementos that will bring everyone together in this difficult time. 

3. Keep a Memento

Whether it is a piece of their clothing or jewelry, a voicemail, or their favorite piece of furniture, keeping an item that belonged to them helps their memory live on. It will also provide you with a little joy every time you see or use that item.

4. Dedicate an Event to Their Memory

Create an annual event on the birthday or date of your loved one’s passing. It could be a volunteering experience, coffee shop meet-up, or any other activity that brings you together. This will help you keep in touch with other people who were important to them and give you a chance to share your thoughts as you go through the grieving process as a group.

5. Include Them in Holiday Traditions

The holidays may be a time when you feel their absence the most. On these dates, don’t feel like the only way to stay cheerful is to ignore the loss. Instead, celebrate their life during these special times. Whether it’s cooking one of their favorite dishes or using decorations that remind you of them, find ways to include them in the celebrations so you can remember them in a productive way.

 

Losing a loved one is never easy, and in these difficult times, it helps to have a funeral home that can make the arrangement process as stress-free as possible. Adzima Funeral Home in Stratford, CT, has over 100 years of experience planning funerals, and their helpful and compassionate team will guide you through every step. They also offer pre-planning services. Find other grief resources on their website or call (203) 375-2200 to speak to a funeral director.