How to Honor Loved Ones on Memorial Day

Even though Memorial Day began as a way to remember and honor those who have fought for our country it has turned into a day of remembering and honoring all of the loved ones we have lost.

Instructions

1. Invite family members ahead of time to join you to "decorate graves." Often the older people in your family will enjoy having someone drive them to the cemetery so they can visit the graves of loved ones. Keep plans simple for the day so that you can spend the time for reflection.

2. 

   Decide on the flowers you will use to decorate the graves. If you have quite a few graves you might consider gathering lilacs, cherry blossoms, or other flowers that are in bloom in your yard. You can spray paint tin juice cans in pretty colors, fill them with sand, arrange the flowers, add a little ribbon or bows, and you will have some lovely decorations at very little cost.

3. 

   Include the children in your plans. This is the perfect time to teach them about their genealogy and the ancestors that have gone before them. Show them the graves of family members and relate a short story and memories you have about them. As they read the information on the headstones they will gain an appreciation for their ancestry. If you have included older members of the family, give them an audience as they will love sharing their memories.

4. 

   If you have members in your family that were in the military, take small American flags to decorate their graves. Explain and talk about their service to our country and how proud you are to have had them in your family. If possible, attend a military tribute during the day.

5. Use the time you have at the cemetery for remembrance and reflection. Don't rush your time. This can be a time for tears and laughter as you share memories. Show your loved ones the respect they deserve by honoring them with your attendance at their graves.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with the cemetery on restrictions for decorations.

• Consider purchasing or making silk or plastic decorations that you can gather up after Memorial Day and use again the next year.