Losing someone you love is heavy especially in a world that keeps spinning like nothing happened. I lost a dear one to COVID. As a young mum juggling grief, parenting, and supporting my own goals, it felt like I was drowning with a smile on. And sometimes, people judged. Threw blame. Whispered. But they didn’t see the weight I was carrying.
Grief is invisible until it breaks you open. Here are a few small but powerful ways to honour someone you’ve lost because your love for them still deserves a voice.
1. Create a “Memory Capsule” Jar or book
Ask family or friends to scribble a memory funny, touching, or beautifully random and drop it in a jar. When the ache hits, pull one out. Some might make you cry, others will make you laugh-snort through tears.
2. Plant Something That Grows With You
A tree, a succulent, or that stubborn basil plant. Watching it grow feels like a quiet whisper: “I’m still with you. Also, water me.”
3. Cook Their Signature Dish
Whether it was grandma’s secret stew or your sibling’s infamous chapati that somehow came out square cook it, share it, and eat in their honour (bonus if you mess it up and laugh anyway).
4. Host a Mini “Tribute Hour”
Pick a date maybe their birthday or a random Tuesday when you miss them most and gather friends or family for stories, songs, or a toast. Keep it light, honest, and real.
5. Curate a “Life in 10 Photos” Slideshow
Dig up your favourite photos and put them to music. No need for fancy editing. Just the moments that made life with them beautiful.
6. Give Back in Their Name
Donate, volunteer, or simply help someone in need. Love doesn’t disappear—it just finds new ways to show up in the world.
Grief is messy, human, and deeply personal. People might not always understand your silence, your tears, or your resilience, but you do. And that’s enough. Honour your loved one in a way that feels real to you. Because sometimes, that’s the bravest tribute of all.
Kay Collections 