Finding ways to remember someone you love can feel both comforting and difficult. There is no right or wrong way to honour a life, only what feels right to you. Some people find meaning in personal rituals, while others prefer to gather with family and friends to share stories, laughter, and memories.
Memorials can be held immediately after a death or many months later. They can be private or shared, traditional or unique. What matters most is that they reflect the person you’re remembering and offer you a sense of connection and comfort.
If you’re planning a gathering or want ideas for a more personal tribute, our guide to holding a celebration of life offers further inspiration, practical advice, and thoughtful examples. Below, you’ll find a range of meaningful memorial ideas you can adapt in your own time.
1. Hold a personal memorial or celebration of life
A personal memorial service or celebration of life allows you to focus on who your loved one was, rather than the circumstances of their death. These gatherings can be formal or informal, held at home, in a favourite venue, or outdoors somewhere meaningful.
Many families choose to include music, readings, photographs, and shared memories. Others keep things simple with a few words and quiet reflection. A celebration of life can also be repeated on anniversaries or birthdays, giving you a way to remember them year after year.
2. Choose memorial jewellery
Memorial jewellery is a discreet and lasting way to keep a loved one close. Options range from engraved pendants and fingerprint jewellery to pieces that hold a small amount of ashes or hair.
This idea is not new. Queen Victoria famously wore jewellery containing a lock of her husband’s hair. Today, modern designs include glass or resin pieces that transform ashes into a gemstone-like keepsake. These items can be deeply personal and worn every day or saved for special occasions.
3. Plant a tree or flowers in their memory
Planting something living can be a powerful way to remember someone, especially if they loved nature or gardening. A tree, shrub, or flowering plant becomes a growing memorial that changes with the seasons.
You might choose a species with symbolic meaning or one that thrives in a place you can visit regularly. Some families also plant trees with biodegradable urns, creating a living tribute that supports the environment.
4. Light a candle or create a shared moment of remembrance
Lighting a candle is a simple, traditional act of remembrance that many people find comforting. You might do this at home on anniversaries or invite friends and family to light a candle at the same time, wherever they are.
Some families take this idea further by organising a small gathering, playing favourite music, sharing warm drinks, or even holding a fireworks display to mark a life well lived. These shared moments can feel deeply connecting, even when people are far apart.
5. Write a poem, song, or piece of writing
Creative expression can be a gentle way to process grief. Writing a poem, song, or short story inspired by your loved one allows you to reflect on memories, personality, and shared experiences.
Some people frame their writing, include it in a memorial service, or share it with family and friends. Others choose to publish their work privately, donating any proceeds to a charity that mattered to the person they’re remembering.
6. Create a lasting public memorial
Public memorials offer a way to honour someone beyond your immediate circle. Benches, engraved paving stones, theatre seats, or garden plaques are all popular options.
You might dedicate something connected to their interests, such as a seat at a sports ground, a rose named in their memory, or a musical dedication on local radio. These tributes allow others to remember them too, often in places they loved.
7. Make a photo album or memory book
Photographs can bring comfort when words feel hard to find. Creating a photo album allows you to gather moments from across a lifetime and reflect on them at your own pace.
Some people prefer traditional albums, carefully decorated and handwritten, while others choose modern photo books that can be shared or gifted to family members. Over time, these books often become cherished family keepsakes.
8. Design a memorial tattoo
For some, a tattoo is a deeply personal way to honour someone they’ve lost. Memorial tattoos can be symbolic, subtle, or bold, depending on what feels right for you.
Designs might include dates, handwriting, favourite flowers, meaningful words, or images that reflect a shared memory. Taking time to choose a design ensures it feels like a true reflection of the person and your connection to them.
9. Give memorial gifts
On birthdays, anniversaries, or at Christmas, some families choose to give small gifts in memory of a loved one. These might be candles, ornaments, books, or handwritten notes that encourage reflection and remembrance.
Memorial gifts can help keep someone’s memory present during times that might otherwise feel especially difficult.
10. Raise a toast at family gatherings
A simple toast can be a powerful act of remembrance. At family meals or celebrations, taking a moment to acknowledge someone who has died allows them to remain part of shared traditions.
This doesn’t need to be formal. It can be as simple as sharing a memory, a favourite saying, or a quiet moment of gratitude.
11. Mark anniversaries in your own way
Anniversaries can bring up complex emotions. Some people choose to spend the day quietly, while others plan activities that help them feel close to the person they’ve lost.
You might visit a meaningful place, cook favourite meals, listen to shared music, or simply take time away from everyday responsibilities.
12. Support a cause they cared about
Supporting a charity or cause can be a meaningful way to honour a loved one’s values. This might involve fundraising, volunteering, or making regular donations in their name.
Inviting friends and family to take part can turn remembrance into something positive and lasting.
13. Revisit meaningful places
Places hold memories. Returning to locations that were important to your loved one can be comforting, though it may take time before it feels manageable.
There’s no need to rush. When you’re ready, these visits can help you reconnect with happy memories and create new ones.
14. Cook their favourite food
Smell and taste are closely tied to memory. Cooking a loved one’s favourite dishes can bring comfort and a sense of closeness.
This might become a tradition shared with family, especially on meaningful dates.
15. Build or create something in their honour
Creating something with your hands can be grounding during grief. This could be a birdhouse, a garden feature, a piece of furniture, or even a small craft project.
What matters is the intention behind it, not the scale or skill involved.
16. Keep a place for them at the table
Some families find comfort in setting a place for their loved one at special meals or gatherings, particularly in the months following their death.
This quiet gesture can acknowledge their absence while also recognising the lasting place they hold in your life.
17. Create and share an online memorial
Online memorials allow people to share memories, photos, and messages wherever they are. They can be revisited at any time and offer a space for connection, especially for families spread across different locations.
For many, online memorials become a living archive of stories, reflections, and shared love.
