Creative Ways To Memorialize Someone After They've Passed

If you've recently lost a loved one you are no doubt dealing with uncertainty. What will life be like without them? How will you go on? And more pressingly, how will you remember them? Memorializing a deceased loved one is an important beginning step in the grieving process. And if you're looking to do something more unique than the traditional approaches, you've come to the right place.

In this article, we're going to share some of the most creative ways to memorialize someone after they've passed. From creating an online profile for everyone to remember them by to planning an annual event in their honor - and much, much more. First things first - is steering away from tradition a good idea?

Why You Should Consider More Creative Ways To Memorialize Someone

We all have that special person in our lives who deserve everything this world has to offer. And once they're gone, you may feel this way more strongly than ever. Sure - a memorial bench and flowers at their memorial space are a great idea. But how can you really go above and beyond to memorialize someone that meant the world to you?

With some of these more creative ways to memorialize someone, you can give that special person what they deserve - even if they only get to experience it in spirit. Below, we're going to share a few of the more unique and thoughtful ways you can go about honoring a lost family member or dear friend. Not only will they be looking down smiling as you do these things - but they're going to help you find peace, too.

Remember - memorializing that special someone is just as important for your grieving process as it is honoring their legacy. Is it a bit selfish to think of yourself in this time? We don't think so. This is a difficult time. Anything you can do to help yourself find comfort and remember the good times - all while furthering the legacy of someone who mattered to you - is a good idea. And with all that said, we're going to get into our list of the most creative ways to remember a deceased loved one.

What Are The Most Creative Ways To Memorialize Someone?

Ready to learn some new ways to memorialize someone? Keep in mind that just because you're going to incorporate some less traditional practices into your grieving process doesn't mean you can't fall back on the basics as well. When a life is lost, there is no limit to what you can do to memorialize them. You can try as many of these ideas - or as few - as you like. We're going to kick things off with perhaps the most unique, practical way to memorialize a lost loved one in 2022: creating an online profile in their memory.

Create An Online Profile For Everyone To Remember Them By

Whether you've lost a family member or a close friend, mentor, or anyone else for that matter, creating an online profile for them is a great idea. In fact, we believe this is the best way to memorialize someone. Why? Because while memories are fleeting, their online presence lives forever.

Anytime you feel a twinge of grief panging you, pull up their profile and look through their photos, videos, voice notes, and more. You'll feel all those precious memories and characteristics that made you love them come flooding back. Everyone who ever cared for them can use the profile as a way to navigate the grieving process - sharing their favorite memories, quotes, and more. But beyond just helping you get through this trying time, an online profile in their memory will help future generations learn about this important ancestor.

With an online memorial page, you can tell their story through photos, videos, articles, and more. Add QR code to their gravesite so anyone who visits can pull up their profile and learn what made them such an amazing person. You can even add a guest book, family tree, and audio files, and more. Learn more about what all this online profile entails by clicking the link above - you won't regret taking a chance.

Produce A Playlist To Listen To When You Miss Them

Many of us express ourselves through music. And many of your favorite experiences with someone will probably remind you of certain songs or artists. Maybe you had a song that kept playing on repeat during one of your most memorable road trips together. Or, perhaps one of your fondest memories of your late parents was the song you danced with them to at your wedding.

The point is, music evokes feelings and memories. With that being said, we believe one of the most creative memorial ideas for you to remember them by is producing a playlist. You can add these songs that remind you of them - or, you can create a playlist of what you know to be their favorite songs. Anytime you're missing them, throw the playlist on, close your eyes, and remember the good times, the bad times - all of it.

You can even share the playlist among other family members or friends to spread the love. This is a great way to help you cope through the early stages of grief - when you just want to let it all out.

Plan An Annual Event In Their Name

If you really want to take things up a notch and pay tribute to someone who you want to live on in spirit forever, there are few better ways than planning an annual event in their name. This takes work - and you may need some help to bring it all together. But it is perhaps one of the most special, heartfelt ways to go about memorializing someone important in your life. And the best part? It can be as simple or grandiose as you'd like it to be.

Maybe you and your buddies loved golfing together - you and the crew can plan an annual golf trip together each and every year. Death is a funny thing - it has a way of bringing people closer together in the most trying of times. You will find that memorializing a loved one through an event like this brings you closer to other family members or friends.

Now - keeping things intimate as we described in the example above is great. But if you really want to keep their memory alive? You need to make the event bigger than yourself and other friends/family. Following the same golf example above, you can create an annual golf tournament at your local country club in their name. Here, you can do good along the way - charging an entry fee and donating the funds to a cause that you know the deceased party would appreciate. This isn't an easy thing to pull off - but if you can dedicate yourself to making it happen, your loved one's life will continue to be meaningful long after they're gone.

Plant A Tree or Garden For Them

This may not be the most creative idea on this list, but we believe it to be one of the best ways to memorialize someone nonetheless. Depending on how close you were with someone, you will know every little detail about them. From their favorite food to their favorite song - and maybe they even had a favorite plant or tree. If so, memorializing them in the form of a garden is a wonderful idea.

You can plant this garden in your yard or perhaps in a public space. You can take donations among loved ones and use the money to plant a public garden in their honor. You'll get bonus points if you plant a vegetable garden and donate the food to shelters or other good causes - all in your loved one's memory.

Or, to keep things even more simple, consider planting a tree for them. We like the idea of planting a tree just because of how long it will be around. Long after you and I have passed, that tree symbolizing your loved one's memory will still be here standing - serving as a beautiful memorialization.

Do Something Charitable In Their Honor

If you've been reading closely thus far, you'll notice we've talked a lot about paying it forward. In a few of the ideas above, part of the memorialization involves donating or giving back. You can go all-in on this idea and do something charitable in honor of your loved one's life. We love this idea because there are so many different ways you can go about it.

Maybe you lost a dear friend - and you know the stress and burden of paying for a funeral is weighing on their family. The last thing you want after losing a loved one is to figure out how to pay for a funeral.

Helping cover the costs of their funeral or memorial service is one of the most thoughtful things you can do. But if you want to take things further, you can even create a memorial charity in their honor. Think back on causes they supported - whether it be animal rights, youth development, homeless services - and consider how you can further that cause in their honor.

One way that comes to mind is to host an annual BBQ and raffle among friends and family. You can rely on donations from the community for prizes and the cost of food at the event. Not only will everyone come together to remember that special someone, but the proceeds from the event can go to a charity you know they would have supported. Or, consider creating a memorial scholarship to honor someone's memory. Once you get to brainstorming, you'll come up with all sorts of ideas.

Whatever you do, it is important to consult with close friends and family and make sure everyone agrees on a cause. This will eliminate any uncertainty while helping you spread the work across multiple parties. You don't have to do this alone!

Pick Up The Reigns On Their Bucket List

When someone passes, one of the initial feelings you'll have is regret. You may regret not saying something to them before they transitioned. Or, perhaps you regret not getting more time to do something you both loved doing. Regret is an interesting feeling to navigate during this time.

But, perhaps a more unique, complex feeling of regret is in the form of regretting something for that someone. If they passed before getting the chance to really live their life and have certain experiences, you'll feel anguish for them. What can you do about this? Well, consider picking up the reigns on their bucket list.

This isn't always feasible if they weren't super open about their passions and dreams. But if you know there were certain countries they wanted to visit, events they wanted to attend, experiences they wanted to have - you can keep their memory alive by fulfilling these pursuits for them. You'll gain amazing experiences along the way - and you'll know they are there with you in spirit appreciating every moment.

When In Doubt - Get Back To Basics

We've shared some of the most creative ways to memorialize someone after they've left this earth. And we know you're going to really enjoy acting on a few of these ideas. But before we wrap things up, we want to talk about getting back to basics. There is no reason you can't take action on some of these more creative, out-of-the-box ideas while still following tradition. So, you can also consider some of these ideas:

• Speak At Their Memorial Service
• Pay Tribute To Their Resting Site And Catch up With Them Regularly
• Look After Others Who Are Grieving Them

Final Thoughts On The Most Creative Ways To Memorialize Someone

Losing a family member or close friend is never easy. The hardest part is holding onto those memories of them. And if you want to honor someone's memory and keep their spirit alive, you are now equipped with some of the most unique, creative ways to memorialize someone. From planting a memorial garden to supporting your local animal shelter in their name, to our personal favorite: building a memorial website or social media page.

Whatever you do, just know that you are not alone. In these trying times, lean on another family member(s) or another friend of the deceased loved one. Be gentle with yourself, and continue working through this process one step at a time. If you're really struggling with this loss, learning the facts about grief is a great way to start finding peace - take a look at our complete guide.