After the funeral, memorial service, or life celebration, many people want something lasting—a reminder of the person they loved and lost.

If you’re not sure where to start, begin by thinking about what mattered most to them. Below are 10 memorial ideas, followed by a simple way to choose what fits.

Here are 10 memorial and remembrance ideas to help guide you:

1. Plant a tree in their memory (tree seedlings, or a tree at a local nursery).
2. Donate a memorial bench and consider pairing it with a plaque or brick in their name to support a community project.
3. Name a star in the sky after your loved one.
4. Create an annual garden memorial by planting their favorite flowers each year. You can also add a stepping stone or rock with their name.
5. Start a college scholarship in their name.
6. Make a video or DVD keepsake from photos, videos, or clips. It can be shared at family gatherings and revisited on birthdays or anniversaries.
7. Create a book of memories for the family—friends and family can write on note cards and include them with photos. You may also include items like newspaper articles or the obituary.
8. Create a memorial online using websites that allow loved ones to memorialize with video, pictures, and voice recordings.
9. Keep a journal of memories—your thoughts, what you learned from them, and moments you want to remember.
10. Personalize with their photo on a stamp (for example, for thank-you notes). You can also consider sending cards or memorial gifts to close friends and relatives on meaningful dates.

When you’re grieving, decision-making can feel heavy. A simple approach is to match the memorial to the person:

• Values and personality: Did they love nature, community, education, or conversation?
• What you want to feel: Do you want something reflective (journal, book) or shared (garden section, video, online memorial)?
• Who you want to include: Some ideas naturally invite friends and family to contribute.

If you start with what mattered most to them, the “right” memorial idea often becomes easier to recognize.

Some memorials are especially helpful when you want a shared way to remember:

• Video/DVD: Photos and clips can come from different people, and copies make it simple to share.
• Book of memories: Ask friends and family to write on note cards and include the cards with photos.
• Online memorial: A web memorial can hold video, pictures, and voice recordings in one place.
• Annual garden remembrance: Returning each year to plant and share flowers can give the memorial a steady rhythm.

If you’re also putting together a service or remembrance booklet, you may find it helpful to explore obituary program designs for a polished, meaningful keepsake.