Eight Heartwarming Memorial Ideas for the Holidays

When a loved one passes, the holidays are never quite the same. Whether the loss is recent or occurred years ago, parties, songs, and movies can all trigger grief at this time of year.

You may be tempted to avoid the festivities but we suggest a different approach: find touching ways to keep your loved one’s memory alive during the holiday season.

We’ve compiled this list of eight clever ideas to help you get started.

Create a new tradition.

If you don’t feel up to carrying out your usual family customs, try something different. Create a new holiday tradition that memorializes your loved one and brings personal meaning to the occasion. For example, you might arrange a candlelight memorial and invite family and friends to light candles at a designated time in memory of the departed.

Attend a holiday memorial event.

Many funeral homes and cemeteries host holiday remembrance programs for the community. These events serve to support people coping with grief and to honor the lives of those who have passed away during the year. These remembrance ceremonies are usually free and open to the public, and they can help the bereaved get through the season by garnering support from others who are also grieving a loss.

Bring out the photos.

People love browsing through old pictures, so display your old photo albums in a prominent location for holiday visitors. Before you know it you’ll be reminiscing and swapping fond memories with family and friends.

Do some good with your loved one’s belongings.

It can be hard to part with items that once belonged to the departed. The holidays present the perfect opportunity to give away some of these things. Wrap up a few of your favorite items and give them to family and friends who will appreciate them. Include a card letting the recipient know why you chose to bequeath this particular item. You might also consider donating some appropriate items like outdoor garments, clothing, and blankets to a local shelter or assistance organization.

Visit their final resting place.

If you’re seeking a more traditional way to honor your loved one, make a trip to their place of rest. Whether it’s a grave at a cemetery, the location where you scattered their ashes, or some other meaningful spot, spend some quiet time with the one who passed on. Pray, tell stories, and visit while.

Create a holiday playlist.

Whether you're trimming the tree or preparing for a party, a customized holiday playlist can help everyone get in the spirit. Include your loved one’s favorite seasonal hymns and melodies. Ask family members to add their favorites to create a montage of festive tunes that will appeal to everyone.

Create a memory stocking.

Hang a special stocking on the mantle in honor of your loved one. Put out markers and slips of paper and invite your family and friends to jot down fond memories or loving anecdotes about the person who passed on. Place them in the stocking and when everyone is gathered together, read the memories aloud.

Start a ‘giving back’ holiday tradition.

One of the best ways to get in the spirit when you don’t feel cheery is to do good for others. There are so many ways you can make the holiday season brighter for those who are less fortunate. Consider volunteering your time at a soup kitchen or a food bank. Coats, gloves, and hats are always in need at this time of year, so go through your closets and donate your gently used outerwear to a local shelter.

If you would like more holiday remembrance ideas or need to make funeral arrangements, our caring professionals are here to assist you. Please contact us anytime. 

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 20 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved ones. For more information, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.