Remembering Loved Ones During the Holidays

The holidays are a special time of year for many people. Though if you have lost someone dear to you recently or during a past holiday season, the holidays might remind you they won’t be sitting at the dinner table this year to celebrate or that they won't be sharing in your usual holiday traditions. Thankfully, there are many ways to continue to involve their memory. We have a few ideas for remembering loved ones during the holidays.

Ways to Honor Loved Ones During the Holidays

Remembering your loved one during the holidays doesn’t have to be elaborate. In fact, honoring the people who have been special in your life can be simple and respectful. 

  • Host your holiday get together in a familiar or fondly remembered location. If your loved one liked a particular place to celebrate or enjoyed bringing the family together somewhere special, gather there in their memory during the holidays.
  • Light a candle in a tribute location to your loved one. Friends and family can view your memorial spot while they visit and remember all the good times. 
  • Have a memorial holiday dinner with a seat at the table left designated in their memory. Share stories of happy times while celebrating your holiday meal together. And make some of their favorite recipes to enjoy the flavors they used to love.
  • Travel to a place your loved one always wanted to visit. Consider inviting others to join you and perhaps consider making it a travel tradition for future holiday seasons. 
  • Display fun photos and videos to remember all the good times when extended family visits during the holidays. You can make a collage or display a video montage while hosting your get together.
  • Share sentimental photos among mutual family or friends. Have favorite photos of your loved one framed to gift to others in remembrance. 
  • Plan a holiday dedication. Have a tree planted, a bench erected, or a plaque mounted to remember this special person. The holiday season is a great time to devote to this kind of activity, and then have it to return to during the year.
  • Contribute to your loved one's favorite charity or foundation during the holiday season. It can be a routine practice every year to commemorate and memorialize your special someone.

How Do You Honor a Deceased Loved One?

Honoring a loved one in spirit is to celebrate the life they lived and your affection towards them. Finding something special to commemorate the time you spent together can be fulfilled in your own unique way.

Take time during the holidays to recall the memories you made together and share with other loved ones about the times you enjoyed. However you decide to celebrate and remember your loved one during the holiday will be a personal choice for you.

Know that you can honor your loved one the same way every year and make the recognition a tradition, or change the way you celebrate to honor them in a variety of ways. The important thing is to keep the memories close in your heart.

“I find that it’s the simple things that remind you of family around the holidays.” — Amy Adams

Providing Compassionate Funeral Services in Mount Joy, PA

When the time comes to make arrangements for a loved one, Sheetz Funeral Home is dedicated to providing choices you can be proud of. Our services are meaningful, affordable, and appropriate to your needs. And as a local, family-owned funeral home that has been devoted to the Mount Joy community since 1899, we hope you will turn to us in your time of need.

As licensed professionals, we offer funeral, burial, and cremation services, veterans' services, and grief and healing, family advocacy, and pre-planning services.

This is a difficult time, and we want to make it as easy and comforting as possible. Take a moment to learn more about our staff and history in this community. Reach out to us easily through our website or by phone with any questions and when you are ready to move forward.

Sheetz Funeral Home

(717) 653-5441