Keeping the memory alive

Losing a loved one can be an overwhelming experience.

And deciding the method in which we commemorate the person who has played such an important role in our lives can seem like a daunting task.

Whether it’s a cremation or a burial, there are a myriad of remarkable and unique ways in which you can celebrate a person’s life.

And there are no right or wrong ways to remember someone, the choice is yours. 1. Dedicate a memorial bench. A really popular way to commemorate a loved one’s life is with a memorial bench.

The bench can be placed in a picturesque spot such as a place they enjoyed, or even just in your own garden where you can sit and reminisce about all the wonderful times you had together.

There are plenty of companies out there who will put together a memorial bench for you.

But a much more cost effective route is to source the bench from a local garden centre and organise the engraving of a plaque yourself. 2. Plant a tree to remember a life lived. A popular way of celebrating a birth is to plant a tree.

So why not use the same logic to celebrate a loved one’s life after they are gone?

Every year when the tree blossoms, you can bring some of the branches into the house, symbolising the celebration of that life.

Many hospices also have places such as remembrance meadows, where you can plant a tree and leave a message, both with the tree and online on their website to leave a long lasting memory.

3. Turn their favourite piece of clothing into a teddy bear.

If the person in your life was known for their colourful ties or perhaps for a signature colour, then how about remembering them in the form of a teddy bear?

Memory bears are designed as keepsakes and are crafted from the material you provide from clothing that belonged to your loved one.

Maryanne Miller of Logibears creates bears from clothing and articles of loved ones and this is something that offers comfort to the family and can be passed down through generations. 4. Name a rose. Packs are available to purchase from companies where you can buy a name a rose gift tin for under £10.

For your money you will get you some rose seeds, a certificate and the rose’s name will be entered into the International Rose Naming Registry which is periodically submitted to the British Library.

Celebrities such as Ingrid Bergman and Bing Crosby have all had roses named after them. 5. Have an annual day of celebration. Cultures from the around the world take a day every year to commemorate the people they have lost.

You could hold your own on their birthday or the day they passed, host a commemorative dinner or event in their honour.