One of the more heartbreaking moments after the death of a loved one is the realisation that they are no longer here, and you’d spend an extended period of time trying to come to terms with that fact. Grief is also the desperate attempts to hold onto any memories you have of them but unfortunately, some of these memories will get hazy and fade over time.
Even if the memories do fade, the sentimentality and the bond that you shared with your loved one won’t. To honour their presence and the significance they had on your life, you can eternalise their entity with an object. Here are a few suggestions of how you can memorialise your beloved:
1. A piece of jewellery
Attaching the memories of one’s loved one with a piece of jewellery is an ancient practice that has withheld its popularity throughout the years. By engraving on a piece of jewellery or having it custom-made, it places an emotional weight to the item. It will not only hold the memory of your loved one, but it will also immortalise it. Many include one’s ashes or a strand of hair into the design of their jewellery piece.
Alternatively, you can go the old fashion way: placing a photo of your dearly beloved in a pendant or a locket. Wear them close to your heart to keep their memory alive. If you feel like the time is right, you may even pass it down to another family member or the younger generation.
2. Trees and gardens
A type of burial method that’s gaining interest among eco-friendly individuals is burying the cremated remains in soil. This is typically done using a bio-urn where it is planted and naturally decompose, feeding the blossoming flora and fauna while they become a part of the Earth. While green burials are not popular in Singapore yet, and with limited burial space, you can directly scatter the ashes into the soil of your own plant where you can place at home.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) has also announced in the recent years that there are plans to develop the Garden of Peace which introduces inland ash scattering services for cremated human remains. Designated at the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery Complex, families will have the option to scatter their loved ones’ ashes on land in a garden.
3. Donations
Donations are a great way to honour the memory of a deceased loved one. This is especially the case if they were an advocate for a particular cause or a firm supporter in a social and cultural movement, and thus, you can donate in their name. Bereaved family members can also start a non-profit organisation to help champion for the same cause or aid those who needed help. Doing something good in their name will allow you to continue their legacy for years to come.
4. A tombstone
This option is pretty straightforward. Headstone engravings can be pretty simple or it can also be customised as an elaborate monument to commemorate departed loved ones. For something truly unique, you can discuss any special design requests with your funeral director and capture the essence of the deceased to honour their memory. This may add on to the funeral costs, but you’ll be paying a beautiful tribute, especially if you add a special quote, poem or take inspiration from one of their hobbies on the tombstone.
When we lose a loved one, we can keep honouring them for the remainder of our lives. Their memory doesn’t have to end when you bury them during the funeral service or cremate their remains. Incorporate some of the above ideas to memorialise them and keep them close in your heart.
