8 Creative and Meaningful Ways to Remember Your Loved Ones

A memory is never more precious than when we face losing a loved one.

Bereavement, whether it’s been an expected or untimely departure, is a difficult process. One of our biggest fears might be that we forget them. What if I forget what they looked like? The sound of their voice? The smell of their clothes? Their laugh?

We have to accept that they’ve gone, but that doesn’t mean they will ever be forgotten.

Creating personalised memorabilia can help bring comfort and remember the legacy of the person they commemorate.

8 Creative Memorial Ideas

1. Lifecasting
2. Miniaturised Casts
3. Fingerprint Jewellery
4. Hand & Footprint Jewellery
5. Locks of Hair Memorabilia
6. Cremation Ash Memorabilia
7. Signature & Handwriting Jewellery
8. Tattoos

Lifecasting

You probably knew I did lifecasting, but you maybe didn’t know I regularly help families who have suffered a loss.

3D lifecasting is the art of moulding an exact replica of ourselves – usually our hands.  I capture and create a stunning piece of unique artwork, and let you cherish and hold onto a loved one’s hand after they have left us.

The name may suggest that life is needed but this art can still be done under certain circumstances after people pass away. Timing is vital for this to happen – early arrangements must be made to enable this option to be viable.

If circumstances allow you may be able to hold hands with your loved one or have them cast individually.

• Can this be done prior to a person passing away? Yes.
• How much will it cost? Approx £200+
• Are there time limitations for this to be feasible? Yes, please speak to me before the person passes away, or within hours of them passing.
• Are there location limitations – Yes. This requires me to meet with the deceased in person.  
• Can this be offered for pets? Yes.

Miniaturised Casts

Once you’ve had a 3D cast created you then have the option to miniaturise this into a sterling silver piece of unique jewellery. Handmade by me. (Can also be done for pets that pass away)

• Can this be done prior to a person passing away? Yes.
• How much will it cost? From £300+
• Are there time limitations for this to be feasible? No, not if the casts are already taken. Yes, if the casts still need to be taken.
• Are there location limitations? If you need me to take the casts, yes. If you have casts made already by another lifecaster, No.
• Can this be offered for pets? Yes.

Fingerprint Jewellery

When we lose a loved one, we long to keep a hold of them forever.  By creating a fingerprint charm you can keep a cherished imprint from them and wear them with you forever.

I wrote a blog recently on my own experience with capturing fingerprints after we lose a loved one, you can read it here.

Fingerprint jewellery is a subtle and unique way to remember a person that we’ve lost. It can be done after a person dies, it is a non-invasive, gentle and quick process. The prints can be used now and repeatedly in the future with my methods of capturing them.

There is more information here if you’d like to create fingerprint jewellery. (Can also be done for pets that pass away – a paw pad or nose impression can be done)

• Can this be done prior to a person passing away? Yes.
• How much will it cost? From £45+
• Are there time limitations for this to be feasible? Possibly. Each case is unique but most people (and pets) are able to have impressions taken prior to the funeral.
• Are there location limitations? No. A kit can be posted with all you need to capture the fingerprint impression.
• Can this be offered for pets? An impression of the nose can be taken.

Hand & Footprint Jewellery (Paws too)

This style of jewellery lets you take a print from the hand or foot and shrink it down in size and imprint it onto jewellery. It can be done using a simple ink pad and paper but this is messy and leaves the hands and feet stained. There are much better options available that give a high definition print of the person you’re remembering which are clean and easy to do.

Having these images lets you create a range of jewellery ideas, imprinting into the silver or engraving metals.(Can also be done for pets that pass away)

• Can this be done prior to a person passing away? Yes.
• How much will it cost? From £55+
• Are there time limitations for this to be feasible? Possibly. Each case is unique but most people (and pets) are able to have prints taken prior to the funeral.
• Are there location limitations? No. A kit can be posted with all you need to capture the hand/foot/paw print.
• Can this be offered for pets? Yes.

Locks of Hair Memorabilia

Hair collecting is not a new idea, it began with the Victorians. Hair was a symbol of femininity and seen as a precious memento. It was popular before photography was widely available and more intimate than a memento of handwriting, a lock of hair was the ultimate connection with its owner.

Keeping a lock of hair in a locket or charm is a subtle way to hold onto a memory. I will be updating my website very soon with many new ideas – watch this space!

• Can this be done prior to a person passing away? Yes.
• How much will it cost? From £45+
• Are there time limitations for this to be feasible? No, so long as you have a lock of hair.
• Are there location limitations? No.
• Can this be offered for pets? Yes.

Cremation Ash Memorabilia

Incorporating cremation ashes into charms is becoming a popular jewellery option. It can create a beautiful lasting tribute after we’ve lost a loved one. The ashes can be encapsulated within glass or resin to create a unique piece of jewellery.

As with hair I offer a varied range of items and will also be adding these to my website shop too.

• Can this be done prior to a person passing away? No.
• How much will it cost? From £45+
• Are there time limitations for this to be feasible? No, so long as you have the ashes.
• Are there location limitations? No.
• Can this be offered for pets? Yes.

Did you know YOU could become a Diamond?

Hair and cremation ash can also be used to create a manmade diamond…this isn’t something I can do, but it is possible…this video shows you how. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aQPIK4sE58

Signature and Handwriting Jewellery (Drawings too)

Sometimes circumstances just don’t allow for any of the previous options to be created. Did you know I can take a persons signature or handwriting and create you a charm with their writing?

It’s like wearing a message from the person, for a lifetime. A handwritten letter, birthday card or note. This can also be done with drawings or doodles. The original won’t be damaged in any way. Such a lovely way to add a personal touch to a charm.

• Can this be done prior to a person passing away? Yes.
• How much will it cost? From £55+
• Are there time limitations for this to be feasible? No.
• Are there location limitations? No.
• Can this be offered for pets? If your dog can sign his name…Yes!

Tattoos

No, before you ask, I am not a tattooist! But I can help you create the image you need to take to a tattooist if this is something you’d like to do. The process is the same as I use for creating the hand/foot/paw prints for jewellery, and I’m happy to help you capture these. (Please note these images are not mine. To find the image source/artist/photographer please click the image)

• Can this be done prior to a person passing away? Yes.
• How much will it cost? The kit costs £10
• Are there time limitations for this to be feasible? Possibly. Each case is unique but most people (and pets) are able to have prints taken prior to the funeral.
• Are there location limitations? No.
• Can this be offered for pets? Yes.

Conclusion

Memories don’t have to fade and they don’t need to live in dusty boxes of old photographs stuffed in a cupboard. Losing a loved one certainly doesn’t mean we forget about them…on the contrary.

These 8 ideas are to inspire you to hold on to what is so Impressive about those that mean the most to us. To remember them, keep them near to us in our thoughts and touch & hold on to our memories today, and every day.

If you’d like to get in touch I’m happy to chat through any questions or queries you might have. My contact details are at the bottom of my website.