When someone we love passes away, it can feel impossible to know what to say or do. I created Memorial Gift Shop as a gentle place to find something that helps, a keepsake that keeps a name spoken, a face remembered, and a story told. These memorial gifts are made for families who are grieving and for the friends who want to comfort them.
Ways to Remember Someone You Love
- Memorial ornaments: a heart shaped ornament with their name brings them to every holiday season.
- Photo keychains: a small way to carry a favorite photo everywhere you go.
- Memorial t-shirts: often worn by the whole family at a celebration of life, a memorial walk or a reunion.
- And much more: buttons, magnets, stickers, thank you cards and keepsakes for beloved pets too.
Choosing the Right Photo
Many memorial gifts include a photo, and the right picture makes all the difference. Choose a clear, well lit photo where their face is easy to see, ideally one that shows them the way the family remembers them, laughing or doing what they loved. Old printed photos can be scanned at most pharmacies and photo counters. If you are making a gift for someone else’s family, it is kind to ask which photo they would like to use.
When to Give a Memorial Gift
There is no wrong time. Some people bring a keepsake to the funeral or celebration of life. Others wait a few weeks, when the casseroles stop coming and the quiet sets in. The first holidays, birthdays and the anniversary of a loss are especially tender, and a remembrance gift tells the family that you have not forgotten. I wrote more about this in navigating anniversaries and holidays after loss.
If you are struggling with what to write in the card, these 20 simple ways to start a condolence message may help. You do not need perfect words. Saying their name and sharing a memory is often the greatest comfort of all.
Browse memorial gifts on Zazzle, visit the full Memorial Gift Shop, or read why I created Memorial Gift Shop. For a beloved animal companion, see pet memorials.