When a loved one passes, it is essential to consider how you will memorialize them. The purpose is to honour your loved one in a way that both acknowledges their life and celebrates the joy they brought to the world. You may also wish to add a living memorial to your end-of-life wishes checklist.
This article will discuss options for memorializing and honouring a loved one after passing. You can do this in many ways, including planting trees, keepsake saplings or seed packets, plantable eco-confetti, and more.
Celebrate the Life of Your Lost Loved One
Planting a tree to commemorate your loved one is an excellent option for honouring their memory. It preserves the beauty of your loved ones and allows you to reflect on their life every time you see the plant.
A tree planting ceremony can be held any time, especially during the planting season, which would be Spring or Fall. If family members only attend your ceremony, try holding it outdoors in nature. Invite everyone to bring flowers or small items that have meaning for them.
As each person places their item on top of the soil cover and their flower/object, explain why they chose that object/flower specifically to represent something unique about your loved one. Afterward, gather around the newly planted tree and enjoy some refreshments while enjoying its beauty.
Start by writing down everything that comes into your mind about this person when they were alive and well in their prime years. Include memories shared between family members during times spent together over holidays or special occasions.
Why Honour Your Loved One With Plantable Memorials
Planting a tree in honour of a loved one can create a living memorial of that person’s life, end-of-life care plan, and legacy. When planting a tree, you make something beautiful that will serve as both your reminder of the person who has passed and an everlasting tribute to their memory.
Planting trees is an eco-friendly way to add nature to your daily life after losing someone close to you. Trees are renewable resources that provide shade, oxygen, and food for animals and help prevent soil erosion. They also help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by taking it up during photosynthesis.
Memorial trees also provide long-lasting benefits to the environment, giving you a sense of peace that you are doing something good in their name.
- Trees clean the air we breathe by removing carbon dioxide from it. Planting trees helps prevent smog and other chemical pollutants from reaching dangerous levels in our atmosphere.
- Trees provide shade from direct sunlight, reducing energy costs, especially during peak heat waves in the summertime when temperatures soar into triple digits.
- There is no better way to remember someone if they were passionate about saving nature.
Plant a tree that has meaning for you and your family. For example, the tree could be an oak tree to symbolize strength or an apple tree for longevity. The Arbor Day Foundation has an extensive list of tree species suited for each province.
Choosing a Plantable Memorial
Choose a tree that reflects your loved one’s personality or interests. For example, if they were an avid gardener, consider planting fruit trees. If they enjoyed watching birds at the feeder outside their window, plant native plants which attract birds.
Planting A Tree
There are several ways to dedicate a tree to honour someone. One option is to plant it at the memorial site where their ashes were scattered or buried. You can maintain a physical connection between the two places and visit both places simultaneously.
Another option is to plant a tree at home or in your community. You may want to plant a tree that blooms around the time of their birthday or anniversary of passing or another particular month or day on which you want them remembered. Consider holding an annual remembrance ceremony with family.
Keepsake Saplings and Seed Packets
If you would like to plant something but do not have space for an entire tree, consider getting a seedling instead. These small plants have been grown from seeds nurtured by professional growers and come with a pot so that it is easy for anyone to take care of them at home.
They are also available in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You can also buy or make personalized seed packets for each family member or friend, so every member of your family gets a piece of living history from your loved one as a gift.
Plantable Eco-Confetti
Another popular way of honouring someone after they have passed away is using eco-confetti, which is essentially confetti made from plants instead of plastic. You could consider using eco-confetti instead of flowers for the funeral planning or memorial service.
These spread when you throw them into the wind. Inside the biodegradable pieces are seeds that will grow into wildflowers once planted outdoors, giving everyone who attends a lasting memory of the deceased person.
How to Officially Dedicate a Tree to Your Lost Loved One
You can also dedicate the tree to your loved one’s memory. The person’s name will appear on a plaque attached to the tree. This memorial keeps your loved one’s memory alive and shows respect for their contributions.
A living memorial grows. It changes over time and produces fruits or flowers depending on its species. This tree provides beauty, color, food, and shade, making it an enjoyable place to relax while thinking about your loved one.
For instance, if you would like to dedicate a tree to honour someone who passed away, you could say, “In loving memory of my beloved father who passed away last year at the age of 72.” Your local city Commemorative Tree & Bench Program, like the one in Toronto, can help you start the process of installing a living memorial in a local public park.
The Canadian Institute of Forestry also offers a living memorial tree planting program. However, you cannot install a plaque in front of your living memorial or choose the location or the species. Still, the program offers an additional way to pay tribute to your loved one while ensuring trees are planted across the country.
Final Thoughts
Many programs allow you to dedicate trees to honour your loved ones, making it even easier for you and your family members who may not live nearby to visit regularly. Invite other family members, friends, and coworkers of your lost loved one, so they can also pay respects and help heal together.
In addition to organizing your finances, end-of-life planning is crucial in preparing your loved ones for the grieving process. The professionals at Hometown Life Insurance are happy to walk you through the steps involved in end-of-life planning and organizing living memorials. Contact us today and our team would be happy to chat further with you.
External Links
- https://treecanada.ca/resources/canadas-arboreal-emblems/
- https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/awards-tributes/tributes/commemorative-items-in-parks/
- https://www.cif-ifc.org/what-we-do/tree-planting-programs/
