Meaningful Memory Making

Children need opportunities to remember and honor their loved ones in addition to finding ways to say goodbye after a loss. The ideas below can be meaningful for both children and adults.

• Write a letter to your loved one and read it out loud or put it in an envelope in a special place.
• Draw a picture of your loved one doing an activity with you that you liked doing together.
• Write a poem or a song about your loved one and share it out loud for your family.
• Read a book or poem that reminds you of your loved one.
• Choose a special item that belonged to your loved one that you can keep. Parents, make sure this item is safe, durable, and age appropriate for your child.
• Choose a piece of clothing that belonged to your loved one. Make it into a pillow.
• Make a list of things you learned from your loved one.
• Plant a tree, flower, or bury a time capsule with special items. Make a stone garden in memory of your loved one.
• Try out an activity or hobby that your loved one used to enjoy.
• Look at photos of your loved one. Make a scrapbook. Talk about your memories of them.
• Listen to music that reminds you of your loved one. Make a playlist of their favorite songs.
• Use a mason jar to make a memorial night light. Glue a picture to the outside of the mason jar. Cover the mason jar with small mosaic like pieces of colored tissue paper using decoupage glue. Place a battery operated candle in the jar and leave it on a nightstand.

These ideas are just a place to start. There are as many creative ways to remember a loved one as there are children to remember them. Ask your child what they would like to do to say goodbye, begin to grieve, and remember their loved one. For additional support, reach out to our Child Life Specialists for creative memory making ideas that are age appropriate and helpful for children.