How to Honor the Memory of Someone Who Has Died

Rituals of remembrance

Light a candle on a memorial day, visit a place of memory, cook a favorite dish, listen to their music. Repeated small acts give you something to lean on and turn pain into a warm ritual.

Memorial dates

Anniversaries and birthdays are the times when remembrance is needed most. Spend that day with people who understand, reread the stories, look through the photos. Don't stay alone.

Good deeds in their memory

A fine tradition is to do something kind in the person's honor: help someone they would have helped, support a cause that mattered to them. Memory turned into action warms others too.

Preserve the stories

The most lasting way to honor a memory is to gather and preserve a person's life: their biography, voice, photos and the stories of loved ones. A memory page makes this available to the whole family and to future generations.

• Create your own ritual of remembrance.
• Don't be alone on memorial dates.
• Do a good deed in their honor.
• Gather and preserve the stories.