Everyone has experienced the death of a loved one at some point in their lives, whether it was a family pet, a parent, a relative, or a friend. When this inevitably happens, it is incredibly important that you find healthy ways to mourn and show your love for your lost one and stay compassionate to those around you. This won’t be easy, as both you and those around you will need to find the right way to go about it, even if some of them are a little unusual.
#1 T-shirt Quilt
If you have a recently passed parent or have lost a child or sibling who you were very close to, you might find it appropriate to get a t-shirt quilt made out of what they used to wear. This can be a unique and interesting way to commemorate a loved one, can be a great gift, or it can just be a nice thing to have elements of the deceased still around. It could become a display item, something that is used on a daily basis, or just an object of commemoration that is precious to everyone around.
#2 Memorial shrine
You might find that a memorial shrine is another way to celebrate someone’s life. It can be small or large and keep the memory of that person still alive. This can help to patch some pretty large holes in your mental well-being and help make sure that the family has the chance to pay respects without having to travel all the way to a graveside and the emotional turmoil that might cause.
Instead, it means that people can mourn whenever they need to, in the comfort of their homes, without worrying about others’ judgment about how long the grieving process should take.
#3 Leaving an empty space at the table
If the person who passed away was a hugely significant part of the family, it might be an idea to leave a space for them at the table. This doesn’t have to be frequent or something for every day, just special occasions like Christmas or Thanksgiving or on important dates for the deceased, like birthdays and anniversaries. This can effectively symbolize a missing part of your family, show that they will never be forgotten, as well as get the feeling that they are there with you enjoying the occasion as well.
#4 Giving to charity
There are a lot of ways to grieve. If your loved one died of a disease such as cancer or Alzheimer’s, or your loved one had a particularly strong passion for wildlife conservation, you might find it beneficial to give these sorts of charities your support.
Whether it is money or time you are giving, this can help you to give back, help out families who have gone through the same things as you, and keep that person’s passions alive. This can help you to feel as though you are helping in a helpless situation and bring some good out of the person’s passing.
