Have you lost a loved one this past year? Or perhaps years have gone by, but grief is still poignant. As you reflect on a relative who has passed on, you might consider new ways to honor them. Ritual is a helpful way to transform a lifetime bond so that your once-vital connection is sustained in a new way.
You might create a new personal or private family ceremony to occur on a day that feels right for you, or make plans to join an existing event during the year. For instance:
- Light a candle. The candle flame is a universal symbol of vigil and honor. Start your own annual candle-lighting ritual. Tell a story, read a letter to your loved one, or just observe a moment of silence.
- Create a sacred space. Assemble a “memory box” of photos and small personal items to open annually. Or create a home altar as a space for reflection in the privacy of your own thoughts. For public honor, arrange to plant a tree or donate a bench to a nearby park.
- Walk, run, or ride for a cure. Gather a team or go by yourself to raise funds for research in your loved one’s name. The Alzheimer’s Memory Walk , the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure (breast cancer), and the Diabetes Tour de Cure are among the many disease-specific annual events held nationwide.
- Take up their passion. Learn your relative’s beloved hobby: growing dahlias, bird watching, or playing violin? Host an annual family gathering and serve your loved one’s signature foods. Or play their favorite music and games. Make a yearly contribution to your loved one’s favorite charity or club.
Memorializing a loved one can be a complex experience. Prepare for the possibility of difficult emotions arising. That said, ritual is often also a source of comfort and healing.