The document discusses various meaningful ways to memorialize and honor loved ones who have passed away. It provides examples such as creating legacy books, holding honoring events featuring favorite music or activities of the deceased, conducting remembrance services with elements like candles or photo displays, establishing permanent memorials like gardens or engraved pavers, and having children participate in rituals to acknowledge their loss and provide positive coping skills. It also discusses characteristics of meaningful rituals of loss and the process of creating personalized memorials.

1. Meaningful Memorialization By Cathy Nichols and Julie Graf Skinner

2. Bears, Bars and Bones

3. Balloons, Bubbles, Bracelets and Butterflies

4. Coloring Books and Crayons

5. Popular Music

6. Amazing Grace…How Sweet The Sound Personalized Music

7. Flower Seeds and Bulbs

8. Running Shoes Bicycles

9. Military and Religious Honors

10. Significance of Children Participating in Ritual or Ceremony Involved Provides acknowledgment of the child’s loss Replaces fearful images with positive memories Creates a bond between the all loved ones Provides appropriate opportunity to ask questions Promotes appropriate coping skills Not involved Creates fearful images and misunderstanding Eliminates the opportunity to ask questions Promotes disenfranchised grief Ignores connection to the legacy of the loved one Denies development of positive coping skills

11. Characteristics of Rituals of Loss Acknowledge and Respect what has been taken away Honor what has gone, acknowledge the grief and provide comfort Bring stability and help find ways to compensate, substitute and cope Reaffirm the future and meaning of life

12. Memorialization Celebrate a Legacy Honor Beliefs Allow Participation Reclaim former experiences that mark joyous times

13. Process of Creating a Meaningful Memorial Family/Group meeting - healing begins Designing a service - honoring beliefs - incorporating family and friends Conducting the Celebration

14. Ways to Celebrate Many Lives Legacy Book Honoring Event Remembrance Service Near a Holiday Agency Anniversary Permanent Memorial

15. Legacy Book Dedicate a page to each member of your group Allow family members or other residents the opportunity submit information Include a photo and story of each person Keep the book in a public/central location

16. Honoring Events Plan an event that incorporates participation for a group of peers Examples a. A meal that honors the deceased b. Concert commemorating favorite music c. Outing or Fundraiser d. Personalized Candle Service

17. Remembrance Service Candles DVD Tribute Luminaries Sky Lanterns Fireworks Butterfly or Balloon Release Favors that represent the person Teddy Bear Ceremony Memory Table/Photo Board

18. Permanent Memorial Walkway of Engraved Pavers Aquarium or Aviary Photo Wall Memory Garden Tree Planting Naming Rooms or Fixtures Library Gifts Establishing a legacy fund

19. What has worked for you? Personally and Professionally

20. Preparations for “Your Story” Personal Expressions Planning guide Record Vital Statistics Personal Preferences Funeral Instructions Burial/Cremation details Family History Contact Information

21. Next Steps How do you wish to be remembered?