How to Honor Someone Who Has Died

Knowing how to honor someone who died depends on their preferences and values, as well as meaningful memories for you and your family. You may choose to create a memorial, establish a scholarship, or donate to a cause your loved one cared about in their memory. This resource includes several unique ways to memorialize a loved one to help you and your family celebrate your loved one's life, grieve their passing, and continue their legacy.

There are many unique ways to memorialize a loved one who has passed, whether you are grieving the loss of a parent or a grandparent. Knowing how to honor someone differs depending on the family. The following list of ideas can help you determine the best ways to honor your loved one's memory.

A memorial of someone who has passed away can help preserve their legacy. The memorial can also become a place to visit, feel closer to your loved one, and reflect on your shared memories. Placing flowers or other meaningful items at a memorial can help you express your enduring love for the person you lost. 

The type of memorial likely depends on your loved one's final wishes. While Caring's 2025 Wills and Estate Planning Study reveals that not everyone creates end-of-life documents, these documents can be very helpful for families. Knowing how other people's lives are affected by death can allow you to create current and updated estate plans that indicate their desired final arrangements and funeral plans, such as whether the individual chose cremation or burial. 

Many people choose a headstone placed at a grave site within a cemetery. If a loved one opted for cremation, you can honor them with an urn that holds their ashes in a mausoleum. There are also other memorial options, such as purchasing, personalizing, and donating a park bench or table and placing it in one of your loved one's favorite locations.  

You may want to give back to an institution that assisted the one you loved in his or her time of need. If you believe the assisted living, memory care, or nursing home facility provided exceptional senior care to your loved one, consider donating equipment, items, or funds to these providers. 

You can also donate to organizations researching a disease or condition that led to your loved one's passing. Supporting these organizations and their cause financially may give you a sense of comfort. 

If there was a cause your loved one contributed to during their life, consider donating to the cause to continue their support. Donations may benefit organizations that rehabilitate injured animals, assist veterans, or support orphaned children. You can often include a message or the name of the person you're dedicating your donation to as you complete your contribution.

If you and your loved one often enjoy a certain activity together, continuing to participate in it may help you feel connected to them in spirit. Options may include an outdoor activity, an indoor hobby, viewing a favorite movie, or listening to a beloved song.

Sharing stories of a loved one is an excellent way to keep their memory alive. Any memory — sad or happy — can help people connect on a deep level as they recall the many ways a loved one affected their lives and everyone around them. 

Consider writing down your favorite memories and placing them in a jar. When you're missing your loved one, you can reach in and read the memories and smile, laugh, or cry as you remember what made your loved one so uniquely special.

To honor someone who has passed, you can also continue to celebrate their birthday. However, celebrating their birthday now will look different than in the past. You may experience a range of emotions, so prepare for many different feelings on this day.

If it feels right, you could continue to celebrate your loved one's special day similarly to how they would have celebrated it. You can even light a candle and sing "Happy Birthday," if it feels appropriate. Or, you may prefer to give gifts to those your loved one had cared about, which may also feel like you are providing a gift to your loved one. 

If your loved one spent their last years at an independent living community, nursing home, or other facility, you may want to celebrate with residents who knew them well. You can also visit a place that was particularly meaningful for you and your loved one, attend their memorial with flowers, or simply pay your respects and reflect on past memories.

A scholarship created in memory of someone who has passed away honors that special person and continues their legacy for future generations. If the scholarship helps others achieve something your loved one valued, it can be especially meaningful. 

With this option, people's lives will be forever changed in ways that are associated with your loved one. A scholarship enables them to continue giving back to others they cared about in life-changing ways.

Lighting a candle in memory of someone who has passed away can be a comforting way to pay tribute to their life. A pleasant scent and the glowing light can bring a sense of peace and calm. The flame also gives off warmth and beauty that may remind you of the impact your loved one had on your life.

A way to honor someone who died may also include creating an outdoor sanctuary or garden. Planting a specific type of tree that has meaning to you or your loved one, or creating a garden of their favorite plants and flowers, can be uplifting as they grow and bloom. It can also serve as a peaceful and therapeutic place to visit when you want to remember your loved one. 

You can make your garden as personalized as you feel it should be. You can engrave garden stones with meaningful dates or quotes, or add plaques dedicated to your loved one. These items may help you feel closer to your loved one as you visit the living tribute you created in their memory.

A memory book is another unique way to memorialize a loved one. Consider including items like photos, small trinkets, and written stories from the past that remind you and others of your loved one. You, your friends, and your family can contribute to the book. 

Reading this book can help you feel close to the one you lost and revisit cherished memories from the past. You can share the book with others and continue to pass it down through generations, ensuring that your loved one's memory endures for years to come.

Unique ways to memorialize a loved one may include creating a pillow, quilt, or other item from their clothing. You could also keep and display beloved items that belonged to them. Options include a music box, a ceramic object, a painting, or another object they owned or created. Displaying these items may provide comfort and help you keep a part of them close.

Consider starting a new tradition with friends or family that honors your loved one. For example, if baking was one of their favorite hobbies, you can plan occasional gatherings with loved ones and extended family where you create their favorite desserts together. 

During these events, you can even leave a place at the table for the member who has passed. In this way, you are building new memories with your family while honoring the memory of the loved one you lost.

You may choose to tattoo an image of something they loved, a personal message or quote they valued, or important dates that remind you of the person who has passed. You can also consider a portrait tattoo of them, but this style can be difficult to predict and execute. If you choose to go the portrait route, thoroughly research top portrait tattoo artists and consider traveling if necessary. 

You can also get a message tattooed in your loved one's handwriting in memory of someone who has passed away. Consider the placement of the tattoo carefully — some people prefer to conceal their tattoos, while others choose to display them in more visible areas.

There are many unique ways to memorialize a loved one, including donating in their honor, planting their favorite flowers, or getting a meaningful tattoo that serves as a lasting reminder of their life. If your loved one received senior care at a community or facility, you can give back to these institutions in their memory. Estate planning documents can also help families know their loved one's end-of-life wishes and guide them in memorializing them upon their passing.

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