When a loved one passes away, it is common to think that an urn of ashes or a gravestone is not enough to commemorate them.
With the rise in eco-friendly memorial options, more people are turning to their own garden to commemorate their loved ones by creating a small garden in their honor.
So, if this sounds like a binding project for you and your family in the wake of a passing, here are some ideas that can help you get it off the ground.
Plant a Tree
An interesting way to honor your loved ones who have passed is to plant a tree. This could be placed in the ground or in a pot, allowing you to take it with you if and when you move homes. This is an eco-friendly addition to any garden, which you and your family can watch grow and, best of all, allows you to place a memorial plaque directly onto the trunk.
Wildlife Friendly Spaces
A memorial garden is only likely to be meaningful if the person who has departed loved wildlife.
With that in mind, many wildlife-friendly ideas can be created in a commemorative way. For example, you and any kids in your family could create a homemade bug house and name it after your loved one with a small sign, like “Max’s bug house.” Or, if you are looking to commemorate someone who loved birds, you could place bird boxes around your home, or, if you live somewhere truly wild, why not put up an owl box?
For those who loved flowers, planting a small wildflower meadow is ideal, and, like the bug house, naming it after your loved one is a simple and beautiful way to remember them.
Stones and Markers
Of course, many people choose to have a small stone marker placed in their garden, usually at the center of another feature. For example, if you have built a pond or water feature for your loved one, having a plaque or stone incorporated into the design is a simple and stylish way to honor their memory. These can be handmade, if you are crafty, or they can be designed with an online memorial shop and placed in the area with the peace of mind that they will last.
Sensory Features
Many people like to have a memorial garden that has something a bit different from a regular garden. Placing water features with running water, paper windmills, and even sun catchers in the space can add a touch of magic and beauty, which can help to make the space feel a bit more colorful in the winter and fall months. This also helps to keep a sense of continuity when the plants aren’t blooming, ensuring that your loved one is remembered all year round.
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Seating Area
You and other family members will likely want somewhere to sit and talk following the passing of the person you both loved. So, a core part of any memorial garden is a seating area (usually with a table) where you can sit, share memories, reflect, and even spend time alone with your thoughts.
Remember, a memorial garden isn’t just about stone markers. It is a way of incorporating your loved one into the natural world and having an area that you and your family can revisit time and time again, while in your own home.
