Memorials provide a place for people to gather and remember those who served from their local community, region, state, or country.
There are few things in life more stressful and heart breaking than the death of a loved one. While end–of–life services are a time for loved ones to come together and celebrate a life, these events are also a whirlwind for the grieving. Life for surviving relatives continues after a death, and everyday activities may feel impossible while grieving.
But there’s an important step in the grieving process family members and friends should take long after a funeral or memorial service ends: Memorialisation.
Memorialisation is the act of preserving memories, events or people, and allows individuals to remember and honour their loved one. It comes in many forms—ranging from ceremonies to gatherings to physical pieces of remembrance like a memorial site.
“Memorialisation is a wonderful way to cherish the fond memories of those departed, while also allowing the living to grieve. In fact, social sciences believe that memorialisation is a crucial part of the grieving process.”
No two individuals grieve the same, and it’s impossible to attach a timeline to the grief process. While grieving can cause periods of sadness, anger, stress or anxiety, memorialisation helps to honour a loved one’s life and center your emotions, resulting in a healthy grieving experience.
It provides a central place to visit
Many families choose to memorialise a lost loved with an actual memorial. Memorials are created for both buried and cremated loved ones and create a central place for families and friends to gather or visit alone.
For instance, if your loved one was buried or inurned in a cemetery, use the cemetery memorial as a location to congregate.
It Helps Focus on the Positive
The death of a loved one frequently leads to feelings of negativity or a loss of interest in everyday activities. However, memorialisation can help you focus on the happiness you and your deceased loved one once shared.
When creating an actual, tangible memorial, such as a memorial site, consider the uniqueness of your loved one’s life. For instance, perhaps there’s a meaningful quote or positive statement that you could use as an inscription on the memorial.
It Brings Loved Ones Together
While a death in the family may bring loved ones close together for a few days to plan and attend a funeral service, it’s necessary to return home or to work once the events end. While some memorialisation practices focus on visiting a memorial, it also presents the opportunity for families to come back together to grieve, heal and celebrate their loved one as a group long after a funeral.
How Do You Want to Memorialise a Loved One?
A headstone is deeply personal and important to honouring and celebrating those who have passed away.
Why are memorials like this important?
A memorial serves as an everlasting tribute to a life well lived and life worth remembering. It is a representation of that person and how they lived; it is a final gift. Memorials can be custom made and personalized to honour and depict that person the way he /she and family would have liked to be portrayed. It gives all mourners (not just family) access to pay their respects and connect with the one who has died. Additionally, a permanent memorial provides an established location for non–family members to mourn.
Memorialisation is important because it helps survivors come to terms with the reality of losing a loved one and to begin the work of grieving. Memorialisation allows a place and time for family and friends to be supportive during such a trying time.