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[H106]Have Lost Loved Ones

by Flora Richards-gustafson, Flo

Funerals can cost thousands of dollars, money that many families just don't have right now. Though the tradition of honoring loved ones with an elaborate funeral service and gravesite marker are still cherished ways to say goodbye, many families are looking for new ways to memorialize a loved one. Not only can alternatives save money, they can also have a more significant meaning that may have a more positive impact for families and friends in the years to come.

The following are other memorial ideas that may help families looking for a more creative and inexpensive way to show how much they loved the deceased.

Volunteering
Volunteering your time for a loved one's favorite cause or charity is a way to remember that person in a way that will benefit those in need. Some example volunteer ideas include:
- Donate your time to a local elementary school your loved one attended or supported
- Read to children at the local library your loved one frequented
- Write a poem or story in memory of the deceased for a newspaper, online forum or literary magazine
- Become a big brother or sister in your loved one's memory
- Donate your time to a senior center or assisted-living retirement home where your loved one lived

Donate
Donations do not always have to come in the form of money. Sometimes time and belongings can be the best donation to symbolize the giving spirt of a loved one.
Some example donation ideas include:
- Donate a loved one's books to a school or public library they supported
- Donate a memorial bench to your loved one's favorite park or facility
- Give an award or trophy in your loved one's memory to a local sport event or music festival they enjoyed

Online Memorials
Online memorial services cost little to no money. On a memorial site, families can create a personalized tribute to a loved one that can be visited forever no matter where in the world family may be located. Pictures can be uploaded to the site as well as videos and family trees.

Plant a Tree
Tree planting will not only honor a loved one who may have loved the outdoors, but will also benefit future generations with an everlasting memory that is graceful and dignified. Most tree planting programs are inexpensive and a portion of the fees often go toward a worthy cause.

Plant a Garden
Memorial gardens can be easily and inexpensively made in one's own yard. Simply plant your loved one's favorite flowers and plants in a section of your garden or at a favorite community garden space. A stepping stone or rock with the person's name could be added to the garden as well.

Start a New Tradition
Starting a new tradition is a wonderful way to honor a lost one in an inexpensive way that can be passed down to future generations. A of couple ideas may be:
- Buy a present on the memorialized loved one's birthday for a member of your community who is in need
- Donate the gift the memorialized person would have received for Christmas to a child or youth in an angel tree program during the holidays.

When remembering and memorializing a loved one, it is not always necessary to spend a lot of money to show that they were and are loved. Take the time and effort to do something that can honor a loved one, help others and make a lasting impression.

~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2009

Death is a natural part of life. But, it can be a tough topic to deal with. Most of us love our lives and want to hold on to it. We also want to hold on to those we love. We don't want to face the issue of death unless we really have to. And, some people never face it. As a result of that, they either end up with a fear of death, or they get severely depressed when someone that they love dies. Some people, however, feel the opposite about death. They understand that it is natural. They do get sad over loved ones, but deep down they understand that it is how things need to be.

A lot of people turn to religion to help them understand death. Some believe there is an afterlife and that helps them cope with the loss of loved ones. Others believe that they will be reincarnated and that helps those people deal with the loss of life. But death is about more than that.

There is a Greek custom where forty days after someone dies, a dish of sweetened, boiled wheat is served. It symbolizes the ?going back to the earth? of the deceased. The dish represents that the Greeks understand that life is cyclical. However, that does not stop them from mourning pretty heartily during the wakes and funerals, and for at least a year afterwards.

Each culture has their own traditions concerning death. Things such as how the dead or remembered and buried differ from culture to culture. In the United States, we hold wakes and funerals and bury them in a cemetery plot, often with other family members. Some people poke fun at this process because it is so expensive. Funeral proceedings can be costly from the limo to the plot to all the meals that you need to serve. That is one important reason why you should have a life insurance policy.

In fact, everyone should have a life insurance policy in the case of death. At the very least, it will help people pay for your funeral. At the best, it will help provide for your loved ones after you are gone. But the truth is, there are many policies and not everyone is trust-worthy. But once you do find a good company, then you can be sure that you can take care of those you love, even after your death.

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Both Flora Richards-gustafson & Matt Wagner are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Flora Richards-gustafson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Recreation and Sports, Health and Elder Care. Valley of Life offers as part of its services to its members. Visit the site to see all of our services including. Flora Richards-gustafson's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.

Matt Wagner has sinced written about articles on various topics from Gardening, Cosmetic Surgery and Health. For more information and resources ranging across the entire life spectrum, please visit .. Matt Wagner's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.