Memory Tables for Remembering Loved Ones at Your Next Family Gathering
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A family reunion is a perfect time to remember a special loved one who has passed on. At more and more reunions, weddings and family gatherings I am seeing beautiful displays dedicated to a special family member that isn’t in attendance. I especially loved the sentiment in this display my niece put together at our last family reunion to remember my father-in-law.
Memory tables, or Remembering tables are not large displays such as you would find at a funeral or memorial, they are small and simple table displays to give you pause and a minute to remember your loved one when you see it.
At a reunion you can always decorate the table in the theme of the reunion- the theme for the reunion in the above picture was western so the table was decorated in bandanas and sunflowers.
The most important part of a memorial table is a few photos of the person who has passed but accent those photos with flowers or candles. Photos can highlight special moments in their life such as childhood, marriage and photos with children and grandchildren. You may want to set a photo book on the table for those who want to spend more time looking at memories.
If you’ve lost someone who is dear to you, it is only natural to be saddened that they are no longer with you when your family gets together for special occasions and there are many ways to remember them.
You may have seen a white rose on a chair at a wedding ceremony, signifying that a spot has been saved for a loved one that has passed on well, my father-in-law had a special chair he sat in for every family reunion we had. He passed away in 2012 but we continue to set his chair up (along with his favorite hat) at our reunions. It almost feels like he’s watching over us as we go about our reunion fun and it helps us remember the wonderful contributions he made to our family.
A balloon release, in honor of a loved one, is a wonderful way to send our love to the heavens but recently I’ve seen “butterfly” releases as a way of remembering someone. There’s an Indian legend that goes something like this-
If anyone desires a wish to come true they must capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since butterflies make no sound, they can’t tell the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit. By making a wish and releasing the butterfly the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.
You can find more information about butterfly release at Butterfly Release Company.
The simplest way to remember a loved one is to have a moment of silence, perhaps as the family gathers together for a meal.
Some of my favorite quotes about remembering those we love are below.
