It can be scary when a loved one passes away and you start to forget what they looked like. ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ takes on a more frightening meaning in this context. It never happens all at once, you may forget how they laughed or smiled at first.
Soon you start forgetting how they dressed, and eventually how they looked and sounded. Preserving the memory of loved ones can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.
How to Better Preserve the Memory of a Loved One
Please do not interpret the fading memory of a loved one as you not loving them enough. Memories are like a flame, they will eventually burn out unless someone is there to fan the flames. It is natural as time passes that your memory fades, however, there are so many ways to keep the memory of a loved one fresh.
Picture a Specific Memory
Instead of trying to picture the face of a loved one in a blank room, try remembering a specific memory that involved both of you. Research shows that it is easier to recall a loved one when you picture them doing an activity, whether that be cooking, dancing, or watching their favorite tv show.
Additionally, if you can remember a specific scent or smell associated with the loved one, it will help you remember them better. Maybe you baked cookies with them occasionally, or maybe they lived on a farm with its variety of interesting scents.
Try to recall these scents when remembering them. Studies prove our sense of smell is strongly correlated with memory recall much more than our other senses.
Have a Recording of Their Voice
A common problem people face is forgetting the voice of someone no longer alive. Sound recognition is more subtle and nuanced than smell and sight recognition, which makes forgetting a loved one’s voice even easier.
If you don’t have any videos with the loved one speaking, a great place to get some audio of their voice is from their old phone if it is still around.
Another unique way to memorialize a loved ones voice is if you have a recording of them, then you can send it to Soundwave Jewellery and they will create necklaces and bracelets embellished with the digital sound waves of a loved one. This is one of those things where you just have to see it to understand how it works.
Create a Scrapbook or Memory Book
Scrapbooking the memories of a loved is not only a fun way to keep their memory alive, but it is also something you can show to other family and friends. People love pictures and beautiful imagery. A scrapbook connects these moments in that person’s life together in a unique way.
They are a great way to showcase the life of someone to family and friends who may not have gotten the chance to meet the deceased person. It’s like a gateway into their life in a way.
Storytelling
The feeling of connection you have with a loved one who has passed away can be reinforced through storytelling. Humans have been telling stories for as long as we have been around, with some of these stories getting passed down from generation to generation.
Getting together with friends and family and recounting stories involving the deceased person is a great way to keep the memory of the person alive and well. It is also a great way to bond with family over a shared connection to a loved one. Don’t underestimate the importance of writing as a way to accept death and process grief.
Start a New Tradition
Another great keep the memory of a loved one fresh in your heart is to start a tradition. It can be as simple as taking a walk to a certain place in a park every Sunday morning.
If you and the decedent used to always go fishing Thursday maybe you can continue this tradition. You can also involve other friends or family if you want. The exact logistics are not as important as what the tradition means to you.
Create a Memory Pillow
Memory Pillows are a creative way to preserve the memory of a loved one. It might be hard for your families to go through their loved one’s clothes after they’re gone, but transforming them into a beautiful keepsake pillow will make it less daunting and more meaningful. It’s also a great way to go green while keeping the loved one’s memory alive. Want to learn how to get crafty and make one?
Put Together a Memory Quilt
If a memory pillow doesn’t spark your interest, why not take it up a notch and craft a memory quilt? They can be put together using the loved one’s t-shirts, clothes, favorite colors or patterns. Who doesn’t love a decorative and warm quilt?
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