Online Memorials
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The purpose of a memorial is to preserve the memories of a lost loved one, of the love you shared, the lessons you learned and the impact they had on your life. Online memorials, also called virtual monuments, offer a non-traditional, but valuable way of doing just this.
By posting a tribute on a memorial website, you have the benefit of sharing this tribute with family and friends, regardless of their geographic location. You can write personal stories of the times you shared, a life history of your loved one, create a family tree, or post photos and video.
Remembering your lost loved one keeps them alive in your life. Constructing a tribute that reflects their qualities, skills and interests and chronicles the unique relationship you shared, is a lasting and meaningful way to preserve your memories.
Create An Online Tribute
Through the use of photographs, music, and writing, you can preserve and reflect on the most significant moments and events of their life. Take the opportunity to reflect and describe your personal relationship and the ways you benefited form their presence and influence. Writing about the loss of a loved one is therapeutic. It will allow you to embrace the many emotions accompanying your loss. Family and friends can view the memorial, sign a guest book and light a virtual candle. They can also offer sympathy and support by adding comments and treasured memories.
Memorial websites make it simple for users to setup a tribute. Additionally, some sites offer grief support through community forums and article libraries to aid you in the process of understanding the grieving process.
There is a huge selection of sites from which to choose, each offering something slightly different. Some are completely free; some charge a one-time fee for their services. It is worth the effort to look at all the available options to find the site that is most suitable for your needs. One of the best free sites is Valley of Life. Here you can create a page or life story with photos, video and a family tree. They include a memory bank where family and friends can add their stories.
Pet Memorials
Many of the same features are available when creating an online pet memorial. In the resources section you will find links to some of the top rated sites to create a memorial for your beloved animal friend.
Resources
- Christian Memorials
Create Online Memorials, Tribute Web Sites, Free Obituaries - Gates of Remembrance
Create and view an online memorial. - Rememberwell.net
A reference dedicated to promoting awareness of and empowering individuals, families and communities in the most honorable work of caring for the dead and the dying. - Immortal Pets
Create a beautiful online memorial for your pet. - ILovedMyPet.com
Free online pet memorials. Step through our simple question and answer wizard to create a personalized memorial for your pet. - Critters.com
Free memorials in loving memory of your beloved pet. Experience healing during grief of a loss of a pet and read the rainbow bridge poem online.
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Glimpses of Heaven: True Stories of Hope and Peace at the End of Life's Journey
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A Grief Observed
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On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss
Price: $7.85
List Price: $14.00 |
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Online Stores American Flag 5ft x 9.5 ft Cotton Memorial Flag
Price: $49.95
List Price: $91.00 |
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Video Game Soundtrack
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McKlein Lexington Flap-over Double Compartment Business Case Brown
Price: $99.99
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Otter Crocs Sandals Purple/Lavender Size 8/9
Price: $37.94
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Dogs Leave? Pet Memorial Stone
Price: $22.95
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Comments
Thank you, Robie for the additional information! I had never heard of that service and I think many people would be interested in it, especially those who research their family tree extensively. Thanks again. :)
Yes, that's possible. But do you think people read those articles, atleast 10% of the visitors?But , as you told, it serves atleast as a therauptic outlet.
Like you said. I think it would give those people living thousands of miles away to view a video or at least share their thoughts with the family and friends when not able to attend the funeral themselves.
nice idea amy, just like bob marley said "In This Great Future You can't forgot your Past"
Hi prasadjain, thanks for commenting. I think the articles and support offered by these sites are quite valuable to someone going through the grieving process, particularly if it is the first time they have lost someone close to them. Understanding the process and the stages of grief can be helpful, as well as knowing when it would be necessary to to seek professional help.
Hi Eileen, I do agree, families need to pull together during times of loss, and this is one way that family members that a spread out geographically can do that and support each other. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Thanks Rudevils - remembering the past in this way is a good thing!
I've noticed that Facebook has many memorials. When someone dies (usually a young person) there is someone who will create a group dedicated to that person.
This is a great idea. I have bookmarked it.
Amy,
Thanks for the great ideas about living memorials. I went to that Valley of Life site and it is amazing. I still can't believe how many resources there are on the internet! Thanks for another great Hub.
What a great way to remember someone and to share stories and pictures that others may not have known about. Knowing only your experiences with someone, say your grandfather, really gives you only a small glimse of who that person is, but if you could listen to other peoples stories and see pictures that you have not seen... that would be priceless.
Amy,
Your hub is fascinating. I have heard about online memorials and am glad that you finally wrote a hub on the topic.
Thanks,
Jeff Murrah
Hi Uninvited Writer, thanks for commenting. I guess their are many ways to post an online memorial. :)
Glad you liked it, cgull8m!
Hi Doghouse, yes, some of these sites are quite amazing in what they offer. Thanks for reading and checking it out :)
I agree, lifesabeach! A collaborative effort remembering someone's life can give everyone involved a clearer picture of who a person was. Sharing different stories is a great way to celebrate a life.
You are welcome, jeff. I am so glad you found this interesting. Thank you for reading and commenting.
One of my brother's friends has recently passed away, so this Hub really hits home for me. This friend knew people across the U.S. and even as far as Japan, and so far they've been coming together via instant messaging. But they haven't a single place online where they can all come together and honor this person and his life.
Eileen said it perfectly: "It would give those people living thousands of miles away to view a video or at least share their thoughts with the family and friends when not able to attend the funeral themselves."
Great Hub....
Hi Rey, I think setting up a site for family members to communicate would be very helpful to your friend and his family. Like you said, they could all be together that way. Thank you for reading and commenting. I am glad you found this hub useful :)
Hi Rey, I think setting up a site for family members to communicate would be very helpful to your friend and his family. Like you said, they could all be together that way. Thank you for reading and commenting. I am glad you found this hub useful :)
Amy, this is great info! I din't know all of these sites existed but I did create a memorial page on MySpace that has done well so far. I will be checking into some of these, even the pet ones. I would like to make one for my baby I lost last year. He was a 16 year old pekignese/wiener mix and I still miss him every day. This will be a great way to remember him as well. Thanks for all the info!
Bonnie
You are welcome, Bonnie! I hope you do create one for your dog, I think it helps to remember and celebrate all they were to us. :)
Thanks for the good information- I hadn't really thought about using the internet in that way-after my parents died though I did join an online grief group- and it was through that group that I was able to process alot of my grief-being able to do this with a online memorial tribute is also an excellent way to honor our loved ones and our relationship with them.Thank-you.
You are welcome, Dorsi. I think different things can help you deal at various stages of the grieving process. Sometimes we need support, sometimes reflection and often we feel the need to honor those we loved so much! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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robie2 says:
4 months ago
What a good idea. I have a friend whose cat just died and I think she would like a memorial. Lovely thought. Thanks for the inspiration.
Also, do you know about www.findagrave.com? It is a comprehensive list of cemetaries all over the world(but USA concentrated) where you can find out where an ancester or anybody at all is actually buried. Then if you want you can create a virtual memorial and leave virtual flowers on the site. I did it for my great great grandmother It was kind of nice.