Thoughtful Ways to Honor Someone on the Anniversary of Their Passing
There’s no right or wrong way to process grief after a loved one passes
away, and the same can be said about honoring that person on the
anniversary of their passing. Everyone deals with loss differently. From
bereavement gifts to sympathy cards and flowers, there are many ways to remember a lost loved one and offer support to others.
Some people want to fully feel their sadness and be alone, while others may feel compelled to keep the day upbeat and share stories—or perhaps a mix of both. As the day draws near, think about how you’d like to celebrate a loved one’s life or honor them on the anniversary of their passing.
Bring Flowers and Reminisce
For many, taking flowers to a loved one’s grave or memorial site brings comfort. If you are too far away, go somewhere quiet and peaceful where you can reflect upon their life. You can sit and just think of the memories you have shared or journal your thoughts about them, noting special moments and and perhaps what you learned from them.
If it appeals to you, consider looking for a sign throughout the day. Often, if you’re paying attention, you’ll see something in nature or when you’re out and about that reminds you of them. Butterflies, for instance, are very symbolic of hope, change, strength, resurrection, and many other powerful representations of life and death.
Take Action and Start Traditions
For many, having something planned to honor loved ones lost can help in a number of ways. For one, it helps us pause and hold space for those no longer with us. It also may set an annual tradition in motion while helping to provide comfort and some welcome distraction on a particularly tough day.
Perhaps it’s a day that you go to a picnic in their favorite park, feed the birds like they used to, or visit a spot that was near and dear in their hearts. You could also plant a memorial tree or bush in your yard. If you don’t have something symbolic in your home that you can glance at that honors them and helps provide some comfort, consider buying a remembrance item such as an angel ornament or other memorial gifts for yourself or for someone else who is grieving the same loss. Nothing can replace those no longer with us, but sometimes it helps to have items around that honor them and warm our hearts.
Celebrate Their Life and Reconnect
An anniversary of a loved one’s passing can be a hard time for a great number of people. If you’re comfortable with it, consider hosting a gathering at your house with their favorite people, asking someone else to host, or simply meeting up for a meal and to talk about memories.
If you have a keepsake box full of special items from your time together, look through it. If not, consider putting one together with friends and family to help celebrate their life and remember special moments shared. Looking through photo albums and cards and watching videos can also be a nice way to remember them.
Reach Out to Loved Ones
The anniversary of a loved one’s passing is often a hard day for many, but you don’t have to get through it alone. Talk on the phone to someone else who loved the person as much as you did, and get together if you’re able. You can also curate a post on social media with a thoughtful photo collage, quote, poem, or words you’d like to share. You may be surprised to hear from those you haven’t been in touch with for awhile. Reading words of support on your post may help you feel less alone.
While we never truly get used to a loved one being gone, we do learn to live with it the best we can. It all takes resilience, determination, strength, hope, and love. Today and every day, remind yourself of your blessings and what you have to be thankful for in this life.
About Willow Tree®
Willow Tree® figurative sculptures are about the relationships we share with friends, family, our pets, and ourselves. Artist Susan Lordi captures human expression perfectly through gestures only, such as a tilt of the head, a warm embrace, and placement of the hands. Her intricately designed, hand-painted figurative sculptures provide comfort as sympathy gifts, and are also well-suited for celebratory occasions to be given as birthday gifts, holiday presents, wedding and anniversary gifts, and so much more. Lordi’s focus on form and gesture instead of facial expressions is what makes her signature work—from her cake toppers to her nativity sets—instantly recognizable and open to interpretation by the giver and receiver.
Browse the entire Willow Tree® collection at Willowtree.com
Some people want to fully feel their sadness and be alone, while others may feel compelled to keep the day upbeat and share stories—or perhaps a mix of both. As the day draws near, think about how you’d like to celebrate a loved one’s life or honor them on the anniversary of their passing.
Bring Flowers and Reminisce
For many, taking flowers to a loved one’s grave or memorial site brings comfort. If you are too far away, go somewhere quiet and peaceful where you can reflect upon their life. You can sit and just think of the memories you have shared or journal your thoughts about them, noting special moments and and perhaps what you learned from them.
If it appeals to you, consider looking for a sign throughout the day. Often, if you’re paying attention, you’ll see something in nature or when you’re out and about that reminds you of them. Butterflies, for instance, are very symbolic of hope, change, strength, resurrection, and many other powerful representations of life and death.
Take Action and Start Traditions
For many, having something planned to honor loved ones lost can help in a number of ways. For one, it helps us pause and hold space for those no longer with us. It also may set an annual tradition in motion while helping to provide comfort and some welcome distraction on a particularly tough day.
Perhaps it’s a day that you go to a picnic in their favorite park, feed the birds like they used to, or visit a spot that was near and dear in their hearts. You could also plant a memorial tree or bush in your yard. If you don’t have something symbolic in your home that you can glance at that honors them and helps provide some comfort, consider buying a remembrance item such as an angel ornament or other memorial gifts for yourself or for someone else who is grieving the same loss. Nothing can replace those no longer with us, but sometimes it helps to have items around that honor them and warm our hearts.
Celebrate Their Life and Reconnect
An anniversary of a loved one’s passing can be a hard time for a great number of people. If you’re comfortable with it, consider hosting a gathering at your house with their favorite people, asking someone else to host, or simply meeting up for a meal and to talk about memories.
If you have a keepsake box full of special items from your time together, look through it. If not, consider putting one together with friends and family to help celebrate their life and remember special moments shared. Looking through photo albums and cards and watching videos can also be a nice way to remember them.
Reach Out to Loved Ones
The anniversary of a loved one’s passing is often a hard day for many, but you don’t have to get through it alone. Talk on the phone to someone else who loved the person as much as you did, and get together if you’re able. You can also curate a post on social media with a thoughtful photo collage, quote, poem, or words you’d like to share. You may be surprised to hear from those you haven’t been in touch with for awhile. Reading words of support on your post may help you feel less alone.
While we never truly get used to a loved one being gone, we do learn to live with it the best we can. It all takes resilience, determination, strength, hope, and love. Today and every day, remind yourself of your blessings and what you have to be thankful for in this life.
About Willow Tree®
Willow Tree® figurative sculptures are about the relationships we share with friends, family, our pets, and ourselves. Artist Susan Lordi captures human expression perfectly through gestures only, such as a tilt of the head, a warm embrace, and placement of the hands. Her intricately designed, hand-painted figurative sculptures provide comfort as sympathy gifts, and are also well-suited for celebratory occasions to be given as birthday gifts, holiday presents, wedding and anniversary gifts, and so much more. Lordi’s focus on form and gesture instead of facial expressions is what makes her signature work—from her cake toppers to her nativity sets—instantly recognizable and open to interpretation by the giver and receiver.
Browse the entire Willow Tree® collection at Willowtree.com
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