10 Inexpensive Ways You Can Honor a Death Anniversary
The yearly anniversary of the loss of a loved one can be a very stressful time. While others move through their life unaware of the significance of the day, a grieving family can be filled with grief on this day each year. For me, I relived days of loss as a child after my father died, and again as an adult after my husband died. I felt like that day was so important to me, but not to anyone else. I wanted a way to mark the importance of the day, but I didn’t want it to be too complicated, or let’s face it, too expensive! What can be done to help?
Read on to find some inexpensive options!
A funeral to honor the life of a loved one is usually held shortly after the person has passed. After that event, there are really few traditions or ways to honor that life on days that are difficult. Grieving families can feel at a loss when a death anniversary approaches. Grief continues long after the funeral, and feelings of grief can be especially powerful on the anniversary of the death.
You can mark the day in a meaningful way to express your feelings and support yourself and other’s on this important day. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to honor the life of a loved one on their death anniversary!
- 1. Visit the Final Resting Place Take time to go to the cemetery and place flowers or small gifts around the tombstone. Talk to the person and share the important events that have happened.
- 2. Release Butterflies or Balloons There are many online sites that will allow you to purchase butterflies to release as an expression of love on the anniversary of the loss of your loved one. You could invite family and close friends to come together, share stories or memories of the loved one before the release. Balloons can also be released. Small cards can be attached to the balloons where you can write notes to your loved one. Be sure to check state laws regarding this as it is illegal to release balloons in some US states and in other countries. Here is a link to check the laws in your area.
- 3. Write a letter or a poem Writing is a powerful tool that you can use to express your feelings, provide focus and as an outlet for both positive and negative feelings. These letters do not have to be shared with anyone. With other forms of therapy, writing has been helpful in relieving emotional conditions such as grief, anxiety, depression, traumatic events, mental illness, and low self-esteem. If you are stuck with ideas of how to start your letter: “When you died, I had to…” “I want you to know….” “This year has been so hard for me…” “Somehow you still influence my life…”
- 4. Play their favorite music Spend some time listening to the music your loved one used to love. Research has actually shown that music therapy is helpful to deal with grief, especially listening to sad music. You may consider making a playlist of sad songs or songs that remind you of your loved one.
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- 5. Create a Memory Board Gather some pictures, momentos, or other small items and create a memorial collage. Here is a display idea, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to create a great board!
- 6. Take Time For Yourself – Death anniversaries are difficult days, even years after a loss. Find some time for just you. Get outside if you can. Take a walk, surrounding yourself with nature. Time spent outdoors has been proven to have powerful health benefits from improving sleep, decreasing depression, and lowering blood pressure. Take that much needed time for yourself!
- 7. Place or Send Flowers You can decorate a memorial area in your home or leave flowers at a grave site. Another idea is to order flowers for any hospice facility that helped with your loved one’s passing. Here is a link to learn more about the meanings of different flowers so you can create a bouquet with a message!
- 8. Look through Old Photos Get out the photo albums and look through them. It’s healing to remember and share the stories that come up.
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- 9. Light a Candle You can light any candle to honor your loved one. In the Jewish faith, a yahrzeit candle is lit at sundown the night before the anniversary of the death. It is left to burn for 24 hours. This tradition can be repeated each year. This year I chose to start this tradition to honor my late husband.
- 10. Have a celebration meal Select favorite meals of the person you have lost and set the table. Invite close friends and family and spend time together remembering that person.
Our ClassCee Life provides general educational information from someone who has experienced great loss. You should not substitute information on the Our ClassCee Life website for professional advice.
