Every person leaves behind a story worth remembering, and every family honors that story in their own unique way. Whether you're planning a funeral or celebration of life, exploring traditions from different cultures, or looking for meaningful keepsakes to create from a loved one's belongings, I hope this page offers inspiration and comfort. There is no right or wrong way to remember someone you love—only the ways that feel most meaningful to you and those who knew them.
Celebration of Life Ideas & Stories...
A celebration of life is a beautiful opportunity to tell someone's story—not just through words, but through the things they loved most. Instead of focusing only on photographs, consider incorporating pieces of who they were. At my mom's celebration of life, we displayed some of her resin artwork alongside family photos, allowing guests to experience the creativity and joy that brought her so much happiness.
"My father passed away in March 2024. He was just shy of his 86th birthday and had lived a full, successful life. But that didn't make losing him any easier! I was always very close to my dad - YES, a definite Daddy's girl! So, when it came to honoring him, I knew we had to do something special. We did this in two specific ways. First, I knew he wanted to be cremated. I also knew my mother would not have been in an emotional position to have any type of funeral services for him right after his passing. So, we opted for a small, intimate family visitation the night before the funeral home would bring him to the crematorium. I brought large post it notes and had everyone write down their favorite memory with him and attach it to his casket. I then took pictures of all the notes and have them saved on my phone to always look back on. The following day the funeral director called me to say the men working at the crematorium were very taken with the concept and took the time to read each memory. It was a heartwarming phone call to know that this was his final send off.
The second way in which we honored him was a themed Celebration of Life a short time later. My mother insisted on having it on their anniversary date as a way to remember their 63rd Anniversary. My father was an avid birdwatcher, so we decided to make "Birds" the theme for the celebration. We sent out bird stamped invitations, found small birdhouses at tag sales & flea markets to use as centerpieces, created bird stamped tags for people to sign and hang in a small artificial Christmas tree we had, we laid out a bird covered journal for friends and family to share their memories of him, and made little bags of bird seed as a favor which were displayed in a birdbath. The whole event turned out beautiful and had so much more meaning to us by using a theme that was completely reflective of him.
Both of these memories have brought great comfort, some tears but mostly smiles, in remembrance of my dad!" -Andrea
Dia de los Muertos
Recuérdame (Remember Me): Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
"When you lose someone you love, many people turn to some form of religion – they look inwards and deepen their spirituality for a way to connect with the person who has crossed over. For me, growing up in a “catholic-light” household – the regulations of organized religion (like Catholicism) was never something that resonated with me. When both my mom and grandfather died in 2024, I longed for a way to connect to and honor them. I spoke to friends, family, and colleagues and began to learn about and explore how other religions and cultures honored the dead.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a joyful reunion. It blends ancient Indigenous customs with Catholic beliefs, treating death as a natural part of life rather than a time for sadness. I heard about Día de los Muertos growing up, but I never really grasped it until I saw (and fell in love with) the Pixar/Disney movie “Coco.” “Coco” was a beautiful introduction to learn about Día de los Muertos, and the importance of building an ofrenda (altar). The ritual of setting up an ofrenda resonated with me. At its root, the idea is to gather pictures of your loved ones that have passed on (family, friends, and even pets), place them in a prominent spot in your home, and surround their photos with their favorite things, food, water, candles, and orange marigolds. Orange marigolds, also known as cempasúchil, are the ceremonial flower of Día de los Muertos. It is believed that their bright color and strong scent help guide spirits to cross over to rejoin their loved ones back on earth.
As someone whose ancestors are a mix of Irish and Canadian, I don’t have direct Mexican roots, but I did marry into a wonderful Mexican family. There is still a lot for me to learn about Día de los Muertos to truly appreciate its origins and follow these sacred traditions with respect – this book (Mexico's Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life Through Stories and Photos) has been a great resource for me as I’ve continued to learn how to build my own ofrenda. Each year your ofrenda may change – what’s important is that we display our loved one’s photos and we honor them. We say their names and tell their stories so that they can always be remembered. I personally found the act of building my ofrenda to be very cathartic and peaceful – taking time to gather their favorite things, going out to buy fresh marigolds, and lighting the candles each night. I set my ofrenda up a week or two early leading up to the official celebration and it becomes my own nightly ritual to invite those that I have lost into my home to be with me spiritually. No matter what you believe, spiritual or not, there is great comfort in taking the time to honor our loved ones who have crossed over."
–Doug Murphy
Keeping their items close...
Jewish Grief Traditions
My friend Lauren was one of the first people my age that I knew who lost a parent. She provided me immense comfort in the first months of grief and has been a listening ear on days when a wave of grief hits. I asked her if she could share some traditions her family does and other Jewish traditions.
"In Jewish tradition, remembering those who have passed is an important and ongoing part of honoring their lives. Customs vary among families and Jewish communities, but many traditions create opportunities to keep a loved one’s memory present through ritual, prayer, storytelling, and the continuation of their name.
Sitting Shiva
Shiva is a traditional seven-day mourning period following the burial of a close family member. During this time, mourners traditionally remain at home while friends and community members visit to offer comfort, share memories, bring food, and simply be present. Rather than expecting the grieving person to return immediately to everyday life, shiva creates dedicated space for grief and remembrance.
Saying the Mourner’s Kaddish
The Mourner’s Kaddish is a Jewish prayer recited in memory of those who have died. While it is especially associated with the mourning period and the anniversary of a death, families may also incorporate Kaddish into meaningful life-cycle moments, such as a bar or bat mitzvah, as a way of remembering loved ones who are not physically there to celebrate.
Naming a Child After a Loved One
In many Jewish families, particularly Ashkenazi Jewish families, children are named after relatives who have passed away. This tradition honors the deceased while carrying their memory into a new generation, often with the hope that the child will embody some of the qualities or values that made that person special. Some families use the loved one’s exact Hebrew name, while others choose a name beginning with the same letter or otherwise connected to them.
“May Their Memory Be a Blessing”
A common Jewish expression after someone has died is “May their memory be a blessing”. The phrase reflects the idea that a person continues to have an impact through the memories, values, lessons, and love they leave behind.
Together, these traditions reflect a central theme in Jewish mourning and remembrance: although a loved one is no longer physically present, their name, stories, values, and influence can continue to be carried forward by the people who remember them."
~ Lauren
Ideas for their death anniversary...
If their anniversary is approaching, I hope you'll give yourself permission to honor it in whatever way feels right. Whether that means spending the day surrounded by loved ones or finding a quiet place to simply be, your grief - and your love - deserve space to be acknowledged.
For me, the ocean has always been where I feel most connected to my mom. Every year, I return to our "rock spot," one of our favorite places to watch the most beautiful sunsets together. It's become a place I visit not only on the anniversary of her passing, but anytime I'm in the area or simply missing her a little more than usual. Somehow, the sound of the waves and the beauty of the sunset always make me feel just a little closer to her.
Lighting a Yahrzeit Candle
A yahrzeit candle is traditionally lit on the anniversary of a loved one’s death according to the Hebrew calendar. The candle burns for approximately 24 hours and serves as a quiet, meaningful reminder of the person and the life they lived. Memorial candles may also be lit during certain Jewish holidays when Yizkor, a memorial prayer service, is observed.
Each step of the ceremony had a corresponding video that was "unlocked" upon opening the kit. To give you the gist - you take a bowl, place it in the felt bag and smash it. Then, working together, you put the pieces back together - not exactly the same, but enough to form a bowl again.
One of the final steps was to utilize the paper included in the kit and write something down. This could be a note to your loved one, a wish, a hope - anything. You place it in the bowl along with crystals and stones, and can display this wherever is best for your family.
We chose to display it at the beach house next to a picture of mom. In reflection of the activity, we all understood the purpose and meaning behind this. Grief will shatter you, but over time the pieces will be put together - differently - but still functional. It was an incredibly thoughtful and powerful activity to do together.
On the first anniversary of my mother's passing, my brother's dear friend sent our family a Japanese Kintsugi Ceremony kit. None of us had heard of it, but we were eager to learn about this ceremonial tradition.
I can only share our family's experience with this, but I have linked the Bereavement Kit in the title above. It's well worth looking into and researching more about the history behind this ceremony.
"WHAT'S KINTSUGI? Since the 15th century, instead of discarding pottery that breaks, the Japanese have been joining the pieces with gold. Kintsugi (金継ぎ pronounced keen-soo-gee) literally translates to "Golden Joinery". LIFEHONEY's modern Kintsugi Ceremony is the perfect gift of healing for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one."
Keeping their memory around...
Sometimes the most meaningful way to honor someone isn't through grand gestures, but through the small, intentional ways we continue to carry them with us. Whether it's planting a memorial garden that blooms each year, hanging wind chimes that bring a sense of comfort with every breeze, displaying cherished photographs throughout your home, lighting a candle on special dates, cooking their favorite meal, or continuing a tradition they loved, these acts become gentle reminders that love continues long after loss.
The fall my mother passed she had been signed up for multiple vendor events, one being at the school she worked at. When the craft fair committee reached out wanting to rename it the Darlene Murphy Craft Fair, we were touched. She found so much joy in creating, and seeing others gather to share their own talents each year feels like a beautiful way to celebrate the creativity she inspired in so many people. This year (2026) I've joined the committee to continue being surrounded by our friends we made doing vendor events together & her school community. It's a beautiful way for me to stay connected to that part of my mom's world.
