Ways to Honor a Loved One Who Has Passed Away

When someone we love dies, it’s natural to want to find ways to keep their memory alive. How do we make sure they aren’t forgotten? How can we encourage others to keep saying their name? How do we continue to honor the person they were and the impact they had on our lives? 

For many grieving families, the answer is creating a legacy.  It doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or take a lot of time to organize. Small activities or gestures can be just as meaningful as bigger ones. There are no right or wrong ways to honor a loved one; the best way is to do something that is meaningful to you.  

Meaningful Ways to Honor a Loved One After Child Loss 

Start a charitable event 

A yearly event can give family and friends a reason to come together and remember the child you’ve lost.

Porter’s family held an annual bowling event that they named Pins for Porter. The event was held annually for 15 years and raised more than $65,000 for the Child Loss Foundation.  

Other event ideas include golf tournaments, pickleball events, walks, or community gatherings. 

Porter’s legacy lives on through community and connection.  

Give back to a cause that’s important to you 

Consider making donations or fundraising for an organization that is meaningful to you.

Noah's family held an annual golf tournament for eight years before transitioning his memorial event into a cocktail gala for two years. The money they raised was given to both SIDS research as well as Faith’s Lodge, where Noah’s parents attended a grief retreat after his passing.  

Noah’s life continues to create awareness, support, and hope for other families.  

Volunteer in their honor 

Service can be a powerful way to carry someone’s legacy forward. 

The Diepholz family honors their mother, who experienced pregnancy loss, by returning to Faith’s Lodge each year for a give-back weekend. They help with projects such as painting, caring for the grounds, building birdhouses, landscaping, and repairs.  

Volunteering at a food shelf, shelter, hospital, or other organization that matters to your family can become a meaningful way to honor a loved one that can become a tradition.

Love can live on through service and shared purpose.  

Create something tangible 

Memorials can provide something physical to see, visit, or hold onto. 

Callum’s family created the Fly High Foundation in his honor to help families create lasting memories of their infant angels. Their work includes memory-making opportunities, memorial bricks at Faith’s Lodge, and other keepsakes that become priceless. 

A memorial bench, brick, tree, or piece of artwork at a location that’s special to you can provide a lasting place of remembrance.  

Callum’s memory lives on by helping families feel seen, loved, and remembered.  

Carry on their values 

A legacy doesn’t always mean creating a fundraiser or memorial.  

Tommy was known for making people feel welcome and included. His family created the Be Like Tommy Project, which works with schools to bring mental health and kindness opportunities to kids.  

Tommy’s kindness continues to create belonging for others.  

Bring people together 

Sometimes the best ways to honor a loved one is to keep gathering together with the people who loved them. Host an annual dinner, organize a game night, or gather friends to visit a favorite place. The activity itself doesn’t have to be complicated or elaborate. What matters is the connection.  

Create small activities of remembrance 

A legacy can be something that’s deeply personal and completely private. It can happen spontaneously and with a smaller group, or even on your own.  

• Light a candle on a meaningful date.

• Cook their favorite meal. 

• Listen to music that reminds you of them.  

• Visit a place that was special to them.  

There is no blueprint for creating a legacy and there’s no right or wrong way to honor your child. Sometimes it takes time to discover what feels healing to you, and remember that what is healing to you might change. What feels meaningful today may be different than what will feel meaningful years from now, and that’s okay.  

Remember that the most meaningful ways to honor a loved one are not the biggest ones. They are not measured by how much money was raised, or how many people attended an event, or whether a foundation was created. They are measured by love. They are the ones that feels most authentic to you and honors the person you love.  

Every legacy act says the same thing: your child was here, they mattered, they are loved, and you will never be forgotten.