Grief Rituals
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Create A Tribute: Using your computer, a brochure type or whole page tribute can be made as an acknowledgement of your loves one's life. Their life's history can be documented including such information as where and when they were born, parent's names, where they attended school, work experience, who and when they married, hobbies and areas of interest, etc. This makes a great keepsake for family members.

Create A Website: Create your own special website in memory of your loved one to share your writings, family stories, poetry or photo's. For a listing of free web site hosting services, go to thefreesite.com- http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Web_Space/

Create A Timeless Online Tribute: If the thought of making a web site feels to overwhelming there are sites available that provide online tributes as one of their services. Legacy Memorials provide free online obituaries and memorials. http://www.legacymemorials.org

Make Family Calendars: There are many computer programs available to make yearly calendars. Pictures of family members both living and deceased can be scanned and inserted on the calendar on appropriate birth dates. My sister and I have done this for years now, and given them out as Christmas gifts.

Have A "Memory" Evening: Invite family and friends together to share pictures, reminisce about special times and together you can create a scrapbook of memories.

Start Collecting Your Family Genealogy: This is a great way to gather information about a deceased family member and learn new and interesting family stories by gathering family information from surviving family members.

Adopt A Child/Family: Unfortunately we don't have to look very far as in every community there are children and their families that are less fortunate than us. You can adopt them and spend the money that you would have spent on gifts for your loved one's presents for them. Many bereaved families also adopt a child the same age as their deceased child would be.

Become A Peer Parent: A wonderful way to not only memorialize your child, but also help other grieving parents is to become a peer parent. Contract your local hospital, clinic, support group, etc. Share with them your personal experience and ask them to contact you if they find someone that may benefit from having a peer parent. Not only are you able to help someone but your loved one is also having an impact on someone's life.


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