The loss of a loved one and the grief it causes is a life altering event. It changes you and forces you to reflect on your life. You also likely feel the need to do something proactive to help you overcome your sadness. Oftentimes, this results in some type of tribute. The following are four reasons to memorialize your loved one and help you recover from your grief.
1. The first reason to memorialize an important person in your life is to express your love for your them. A visible demonstration of the void remaining from their loss is part of your healing. It is part of coping and allows you to keep their memory publicly and privately alive.
2. The second reason why you should memorialize your loss is to give you comfort. A person in spirit can longer interact with you in a physical manner, but you can dwell on their presence by having a memorial to them that is near you. The memorial is a sign you are adapting to your loss and remaining connected and bonded with them.
3. The third reason is to show honor and respect. The person in your life who has gone may have had some struggles in their life, and a memorial is a testament to the positives they brought into your life. Your memorial may be an opportunity to share your celebration of their life with others.
4. The fourth reason is that it demonstrates that, while you accept your loss, you are unwilling to forget your loved one. It gives you the joy of knowing you have a memorial that represents a part of your past that is unforgettable, and it is a part of your core as a person. A memorial is a bridge or a continuity of your relationship with someone who has died.
Simple or Grand Memorials
Memorials can be simple or grand. They can be physical expressions like head stones, pictures, personal objects, a plant, a tree, or even a lock of hair. A small object is just as good as a large one to the person or persons who are grieving.
Memorials can be things such as a donation to a project or prayer vigils in the name of the deceased individual. Famous people may receive a statue, a wing of a hospital, the name of a building, or another grand gesture to remember their philanthropy and goodness. The dedication of a book is another kind of memorial given to special people.
Unconventional Memorials
A memorial can be an item or expression such as a poem, website, song, scrapbook, or work of art that evokes an emotion. It is not uncommon for organizations or foundations to be created to memorialize the life of another. These actions represent a positive energy that is created after a loss.
The good that a memorial also provides to others, who do not know your deceased loved one, can be positive. A memory of a good person or a quality that they had can be inspirational. Inventions can be the result of an idea evoke by a memorial.
Philanthropy has been a type of memorial and is responsible for the cure of diseases in the form of therapies and vaccines. Illnesses that may not have otherwise received attention have been cured or prevented as the result of gifts from wealthy individuals or from a proactive non-profit organization formed as a memorial.
Ceremonies
Ceremonies are another form of memorial for a loved one who has died. The celebration of a birthday, anniversary, or the day of a person’s passing is often an expression of memorializing them. Graduations or other special days can also be used in this manner.
It is not unusual to set a place at a table during the holiday season to memorialize the happiness of the occasion and the good time once shared with someone you loved. A holiday gathering may not be complete without a moment of silence or prayer for those who have died. It is a bonding moment for the survivors of a tragedy and an indication of the depth of one’s character.
Timing
Memorials can do a lot of good, but they must be created only when a grieving person is ready. A memorial may not bring the benefits it is intended when the affected persons are unprepared to make a statement of their loss. The intention of a memorial is to bring healing, not to have the opposite effect.
Conclusions
The four reasons why memorials are important is that they are part of the healing process. They are an expression of love, comfort you while you are grieving, honor and respect, and the acceptance of your loss. These reasons are virtues that grieving individuals exert during their time of sadness.
A memorial does not need to be expensive. It just needs to be meaningful to the person who is grieving. Sometimes, you might remember a loved one when you see an advertisement or hear an expression that reminds you of them. These can be unexpected cathartic healing moments because the evoked memory is so strong.
Ceremonies are memorial expressions that can be equally important as a physical one. They have special meanings for individuals, families, and groups. A ceremony can be a bonding moment and help with the healing process of grief.
The timing to create a memorial is important. A memorial created too soon can be an impediment to overcoming grief. When it is done at the right time, it can bring happiness and closure.
Grieving is a complicated part of life, and it is handled individually by those affected by a loss. You will have your own methods of dealing with loss that are unique for you. Responsible reflection is a virtue of which memorials are a part.
Virtues are necessary parts of healing from grief and using them provides you with the strength to combat your sadness. It is not easy to be virtuous, and it may appear unattainable or like “just an idea.” However, those who have recovered from grief demonstrate virtues. Memorials are a part of the process of healing, and your reason for creating one may bring you the peace you need after a loss.
John Cappello is a practicing psychic medium and author of the book, Open the Mind Heal the Heart. For more information, go to his website at www.johncappello.com.