7 Memorial Keepsake Ideas

Creativity is healing. The act of channelling your emotions into something physical can be extremely therapeutic, helping you understand and navigate your emotions in a safe and constructive way.

And if you’re the type who enjoys a) getting hands-on with a project and b) having a physical object with sentimental value, memorial keepsakes are a fantastic way to pay tribute to your loved one.

From scrapbooks filled with treasured memories to clothing repurposed as soft furnishings, memorial keepsakes can take many forms, leaving you with a one-of-a-kind object that celebrates your departed loved one.

But what are memorial keepsakes? And how do they help you navigate the strong emotions associated with the loss of a friend or family member?

What are memorial keepsakes?

As the name suggests, memorial keepsakes are physical objects crafted to remember a departed friend or relative. There’s no specific type of memorial keepsake—the only limit is your imagination. Some people opt for simpler, more understated items such as scrapbooks and photo albums, while others prefer more complex objects like dried flowers or soft furnishings.

Whatever you choose, the purpose of a memorial keepsake is to pay tribute to your departed loved one in a tangible way, leaving you with something you can keep in your home, or even on your person, helping you to remember your friend or relative.

But they’re more than just objects. They’re physical reminders of your loved one; items that celebrate their legacy and offer an opportunity for reflection.

If you’re eager to craft something personal to remember a loved one, a DIY memorial keepsake might be for you.

Let’s explore some ideas, shall we?

1. Scrapbooks

Visual memory is powerful. Second only to your olfactory sense ((your sense of smell), visuals are a powerful evoker of memory, capable of transporting you to specific times and places.

And that makes scrapbooks a fantastic option for memorial keepsakes as they offer you an opportunity to reflect at will, helping you feel connected to your departed loved one at your leisure, giving you space to explore your emotions.

There’s no one-size-fits-all to creating a scrapbook, either. What you choose to include is personal, and can include a variety of items from photos, letters, ticket stubs, newspaper clippings, and even cuttings from garments. You might even choose to annotate your scrapbook, adding an even more personal layer, and allowing yourself space and time to reflect on the stories behind each entry.

You can pick up high-quality scrapbooks from high-street retailers for a relatively low cost. But it isn’t the book itself that matters, it’s the memories contained within, and the space you offer yourself to engage with them, or even share them with friends and family.

Whatever type of scrapbook you choose, and whatever you decide to include, a scrapbook is a fantastic memorial keepsake.

2. Framed handwriting

Handwriting is like fingerprints: unique to the individual. As such, framed handwriting can make a poignant memorial keepsake, loaded with meaning.

And it’s entirely up to you what you choose to frame. It might be an old love letter, a hastily scribbled note, or just a signature. Some people even choose to frame shopping lists, reminders and even complaints—all that matters is that it’s words, written in your loved one’s unique hand.

By framing their handwriting, you preserve your departed love one’s script forever, turning something as simple as a note into a treasured heirloom.

It’s worth noting that exposure to sunlight can cause ink to fade, so it’s best to display framed handwriting out of direct sunlight or even choose a frame with UV protection glass, or laminate with a UV protective film.

Requiring only a handwriting exert and a quality frame, framed handwriting is an entry-level DIY memorial keepsake that captures something tangible of your loved one for future generations.

3. Repurposed Clothing

One of the most difficult parts of the grieving process is deciding what to do with your loved one’s clothes when they’re gone. And there’s no wrong answer. Some people are comforted by keeping the garments, others prefer to donate them to a good cause.

You see, clothing is an extension of our personalities, filled with layers of meaning about how we see ourselves, and what made us feel comfortable or confident. It speaks volumes about who we are.

As such, there’s a growing trend in repurposing a departed loved one’s clothing into memorial keepsakes—often as cushions, throws, or even wall hangings.

It requires a little creative skill, but there are plenty of helpful tutorials available on YouTube that’ll guide you through the process step-by-step. Once you’re done, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind keepsake memorial that’ll remind you of your loved one each time you see it.

4. Dried flowers

There’s a reason flowers are so ubiquitous in memorials. They’re rich with symbolism, honouring the departed with beauty and serenity. And like clothing, the flowers we enjoy are unique to us, highlighting an aspect of our character.

And so, drying and displaying your loved one’s favourite flowers forms a unique memorial keepsake, packed with personal meaning. It’s a simple process, too, so you can feel connected to your loved one as you work,

There are several ways to dry flowers, but probably the simplest is to remove the leaves from your flower stems, arrange them in small bunches, tie them together at the bottom of the stems and then hang them upside down in a cool, dry place. Hanging them upside down will help maintain their shape and after two weeks you should have a beautiful dried-flower display.

For single, more delicate flowers, place them in a container with fine silica-gel beads. As the bloom dries, cover it gradually with more silica. After a few days, when all the moisture has been removed, take the flower out of the silica, brushing off any excess beads. Single stems or bunches can look beautiful in a vase but also try putting them in jars or box frames.

5. Painted Rocks

Painted rocks - sometimes called kindness stones - can be any shape, size or colour. Very often painted in bright designs, they feature pictures, names or initials and even inspirational quotes and messages. Beyond creating a unique keepsake, the process of rock painting can be therapeutic, giving you the opportunity to lose yourself in the creative process.

Completed rocks and stones can be placed near a loved one’s headstone, in a garden of remembrance or kept at home or in your own garden. If you are leaving the painted rocks outside, it is best to use acrylic paints.

6. Photo albums

If you’d prefer a simpler, less labour-intensive memorial keepsake, a photo album might be for you. We draw great comfort from photographs of departed loved ones as they capture moments of joy, preserving them for eternity.

And like many of the ideas we’ve suggested, the process of putting together a memorial photo album can form be cathartic activity, offering you space to reflect on shared happiness and experiences.

There’s no ‘right’ type of photo to include, either. As people, we have a tendency to other think what’s appropriate for memorials, but, in truth, appropriate is relative. What’s important is captured a sense of your loved one’s personality.

If they were the life-and-soul of the party, you might include photos of them in high-spirits, surrounded by friends and family. If they relished travel, you might include images of them visiting iconic landmarks. If they were creative themselves, you might include some snaps of their work.

Blank photo albums are readily available and come in all shapes and sizes, so choose one that suits your loved one and spend some time gathering photos to include. Maybe even spend an evening listening to your loved one’s favourite music as you work.

7. Memory keepsake box

If you’re looking for a safe place to store some of your departed loved one’s belongings that also serves a memorial keepsake in and of itself, you might consider putting together a memory box.

A memory box can take whatever form you choose, from a simple wooden box to something more ornate, designed with your loved one in mind. Like scrapbooks and photo albums, the physical item isn’t as important as the contents.

It’s entirely up to you what you include in a memory keepsake box, the only prerequisite is that the items you choose are meaningful to you.

You might include greetings cards from birthdays or anniversaries, postcards from shared holidays, favourite items of clothing, or even fragrances that remind you of your loved one. Some people also choose to include newspaper cuttings from major events, and even physical media such as vinyl records and blu rays.

The goal is to create a time-capsule of your loved one’s life. Something that you can pull whenever you want to reminisce. Something that captures an essence of the person, in whichever way feels meaningful to you.

Whatever you choose, a memorial keepsake is a fantastic way to remember a departed loved one, filled with layers of meaning unique to you and the connection you shared. Moreover, the creation process for DIY memorial keepsakes can be incredibly therapeutic, helping you feel connected to your loved one.

Need more inspiration and advice on memorials? Check out our blog, where you’ll find ideas on everything from commemorating the anniversary of a death to how to choose flowers for a funeral.