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Creating a Memory Book
Written by Clara Hinton | Sep 28, 2001
Once the shock wears off and there is the acceptance of the loss of a child, family members move to another level of grieving. Moms and dads, brothers and sisters, as well as other members of the family, want to do some positive in this work we call grief.
Something very healing for families to do together is to create a memory book of the child who has died. Often, you will see pictures placed in the newspaper of a child who has died, along with a heart-warming story about the loved one. A memory book is more than a picture and a story. A memory book is a compilation of many different things that can take several months for a family to finish. These hours spent together making the memory book are catalysts for many precious moments of healing.
What should be included in a memory book? Your memory book can contain anything that was part of your child's life that was special to you. This book could hold several items such as: - Birth certificate
- Report cards
- Pictures and post cards from vacations
- Special letters that have been kept
- Quotations from your child's favorite books
- Favorite sayings, songs, and Scriptures
- Pictures of birthdays and other fun times
- Newspaper clippings (birth announcement, graduation, wedding)
- Copy of funeral service
- Sympathy cards
Use your imagination. As you talk together with other family members, you will recall funny stories. Have someone record the stories on paper to be included in the memory book.
When you put together the memory book, be sure to leave several blank pages for future entries. Include pages for your thoughts to be written down in a special section of the memory book. This is a way of journaling together as a family, and will remind you over and over how individual the journey of grief is for each person.
Finally, decide on a place to display your child's memory book. You will be amazed at the comfort you receive when you reminisce precious times spent together with your child. Friends visiting you will appreciate this memory book, too. It will break the ice, and help everyone involved to move forward on this difficult journey one travels following the loss of a child.
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