Losing a loved one is never easy. But even after they are gone, their memories live on in everything we do and experience.
It is in the stories we tell, the songs we sing, the recipes we try and in every little thing they made special with their presence. Finding personal ways to remember a loved one can help us hold on to those connections and celebrate what made them unique.
There is no right or wrong way to do this. You might want to create something lasting, bring family and friends together, support a cause close to their heart or simply introduce a small tradition into everyday life.
If you have lost a loved one and are looking for ways to keep their memory alive, here are some ideas to inspire you.
- Make a memory box
A memory box for a loved one can become a deeply personal collection of the things that remind you of them.
You could include photographs, letters, birthday cards, postcards, tickets from days out, favourite recipes or small keepsakes that each have a story behind them.
You could also ask your family members to add theirs and have all your loved one’s lived experiences in one place.
- Continue their favourite traditions
Some of the most meaningful ways to honour a loved one may already be part of your life.
A special way they organised Christmas dinner, a particular meal on birthdays, an annual trip to the seaside or watching a favourite movie every Christmas Eve.
Continuing such traditions can be a wonderful way of ensuring they are still part of your family life. Tell younger family members where the tradition came from too. Years later, someone may still be making “Nan’s curry”, or organising the annual family trip to the seaside, and sharing the story of the person who started the tradition.
- Plant something in their honour
For some families, creating something that grows can be a beautiful tribute to a loved one. Choose a favourite flower, plant or tree, or something that blooms around a birthday or another significant time of year to make it more special.
And if you have children or grandchildren, involve them in planting and caring for it. You might even create a small memory garden with favourite plants and photographs or keepsakes. It can eventually become a place to sit, reflect and remember them.
- Turn their passion into a challenge
A challenge doesn’t have to mean running a marathon.
Did your loved one enjoy gardening? Plant 100 flowers in their name.
Loved walking? Complete a route that meant something to them.
Were they passionate about baking? Organise an afternoon tea.
Did they always enjoy having everyone together? Organise a quiz, picnic or family event.
If you choose to turn your idea into fundraising in memory of a loved one, PSPA can support you to find an activity that feels personal.
What matters most is choosing something that meant a great deal to them.
- Hold a collection for your loved one
Some families choose to invite friends and relatives to contribute to a cause that was important to their loved one.
You can organise a collection in memory of your loved one as part of a remembrance gathering or service, or at another event bringing family and friends together.
PSPA can provide donation envelopes if you would like to organise a collection, and our Fundraising Team can talk you through the options.
Every contribution can help PSPA to continue supporting people affected by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy & Corticobasal Degeneration and funding research into these rare neurological conditions.
- Donate in-memory
For some people, supporting a cause connected with their loved one is an emotional way to do something positive in their name.
An in-memory donation to PSPA can support the vital services our charity offers people living with PSP & CBD and their families, while also funding important research.
You can make a one-off donation in memory of a loved one online, by phone or by post.
There is no right amount.
Your donation, no matter how big or small, can help PSPA support families like yours throughout their journey with PSP or CBD.
- Create a Tribute Fund
A Tribute Fund for a loved one can provide a lasting place for family and friends to come together, share memories and celebrate the person who meant so much to you all.
Through a PSPA Tribute Fund, you can create a personalised online space where people can add photographs, videos, stories and messages. It can also bring together donations, fundraising activities and special occasions in one place.
It can remain open for as long as you wish, and you can choose whether to keep it private or make it public.
Over time, it can become more than a fundraising page. It can become a shared collection of stories, moments and memories that help keep your loved one’s memory alive, while also supporting other families affected by PSP & CBD.
- Spread awareness about PSP & CBD
If Progressive Supranuclear Palsy or Corticobasal Degeneration was part of your family’s story, you may want to help more people understand these rare and devastating neurological conditions.
Sharing your experience can be a powerful way to honour your loved one’s memory while helping others.
You might share information about PSPA on social media, talk to friends and family about PSP & CBD, support an awareness campaign or share your family’s story.
Even one conversation can introduce somebody to the conditions that they may never have heard of before.
Your loved one’s experience can help build greater understanding and help other families find information and support through PSPA.
Their legacy continues through you.
You don’t need one grand gesture to remember your loved one.
It’s how you live your life and make their values and passions a part of your life.
It’s how you remember them through little things that meant something to them.
No matter how you choose to keep your loved one’s memory alive, by creating a Tribute Fund, organising a collection, taking on a challenge or making an in-memory donation, PSPA is here to support you.
You can get in touch with our Fundraising team by calling 01327 322414 or emailing them at fundraising@pspassociation.org.uk.
