To commemorate a loved one means to do something in memory of them or to honor their memory.

Below are some examples of ways to commemorate. Use these suggestions to encourage a bereaved friend to find their own special way of remembering. This is one of the best ways to help a friend cope with grief and to instill hope into a tragedy.

Commemorate by Leaving a Legacy

Make an online memorial to share with friends and family. There are many different companies to choose from, including Christian memorials and companies specializing in memorials for children. They give step by step instructions of how to upload a photo, add a song and many offer poems and quotes to choose from.

Legacy.com is a good choice for a easy to use, classic online memorial. They also have great resources and an online forum.

Plant a tree to commemorate a beautiful life. Tree Givers is a business that plants memorial trees on public land. This is a wonderful way to honor your loved one and impact future generations.

Purchase a Memorial Tree as a sympatht gift or a gift certificate for them to select one themselves.

Creative Ideas for Remembrance

Here are a few ideas that I've come across for activities that can be comforting for the bereaved and give them a special way to remember their loved one. Make a scrapbook page or put together a photo album celebrating favorite memories.

Put a loved one's photo on a stamp at Stamps.com This is real postage that you can use to send out thank you cards or announcements.

Have a star named after your loved one. Go to the International Star Registry to Name a Star . This can be a very meaningful expression for a grieving child. The company gives you a certificate and a star chart to so you can find your star in the sky.

Plan a butterfly release memorial. Butterflies are symbolic of transformation and embarking on a new journey. It may be healing for your grieving friend to enjoy the beauty and symbolism of butterflies.

Releasing doves has become a popular choice for memorial services. You can find a dove handler in your state at the White Dove Directory.

Write a tribute of your loved one, detailing their wonderful attributes and characteristics.

Make a quilt or a quilt block that symbolizes your relationship with your departed loved one.

Make a teddy bear or stuffed toy with pieces of fabric from a favorite article of clothing.

Light a candle Join the Worldwide Candle lighting for remembering children, organized by the compassionate friends. It is Sunday December 14th, 2008 at 7 pm local time around the globe. This is believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world..

More ideas for honoring the memory of a loved one here.

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Give to Others and be Encouraged

• Visit a nursing home and give out small gifts or cards to residents.
• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or shelter.
• Establish a scholarship in a loved one's memory.
• Buy the deceased a Christmas gift and donate it to a local charity.

Make a Donation in Remembrance of a Loved One

• Donate a book to a public or school library in remembrance of the deceased.
• Make a donation to a park, swimming pool, library or museum.
• Donate a trophy for the Special Olympics in a loved one's memory.

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