In Memory of...Ideas

When one of my children died, I was given a bell inscribed with "In loving memory" and her name - it still reminds me of my angel.

Well, it depends on what your role is as a paraprofessional. If you are an elementary school aide, then maybe name your reading time after the child, example "Sherri's Corner". This will not only show other children the importance of uplifting others, but allow the parent to open up and maybe start participating in your reading time. If you are an extra curriculum class, then maybe design a corner or wall with "Sherri's Jungle Gym". I would not suggest using In Memory Of, because you want it to be loving, happy, and uplifting; not depressing.
Also, if you know what activity or subject the child really enjoyed, then accentuate that one thing. Like if the child wanted to be a police officer, then that will be your theme and add pictures of the child redesigned. Then maybe other teachers will catch on. You never know how some things catch on fire.
God bless you and prosperity is upon you for your selfless thoughts and actions. Pray and ask God what He would have you to do. I promise you, He will direct you in a way that only He can be glorified. Much success to you and I will be praying for your efforts. The angels in heaven are smiling down on you for thinking of their special child.

How awful! If the child died of an illness, I would do a donation in the name of the child to a research charity for that illness. I don't know how close you are to the parents, but you might could do a photo book with pictures of the child celebrating their life or have a wooden bench made engraved with the child's name. If it's not necessarily something for the parents, you can donate library books, make a donation to a food bank in the child's name, etc. There are many ideas to choose from and I'm sure the parents would be thankful whatever you choose.

Plant a tree or flowering bush with a small plaque. If it is on the school site and depending on the age of the children they can write letters or draw pictures. Then bury them with the tree roots, so that the their letters and pictures are what helps it grow.

I don't know if you are religious but my husband is a Gideon and they place bibles in the hotels, etc. You can purchase a bible in memory of someone for any amount you wish from $5. up. They will send a card to the family on your behalf. We are baptist belief. Let me know if you have any questions.

Depending on the age of the child, if you know the school situation and the child enjoyed reading it might be something the mother would appreciate if you donated specific books or just books in general in the child's memory to a local library or the school library the family would use. Along the same lines, if the child was a pet lover a donation to the local animal shelter or some project the animal shelter needs someone to do would be a kindness. The only other idea I have has been done in our church where several different times something has been given to the the church or some work done such as refurbishing the nursery, etc. in memory of the deceased family member. God bless you for your kindness and the family that is grieveing. You are truly a kind person to do this. Oh, the tree idea is wonderful and has been done in this area also, maybe even a bloomimg plant in the yard depending on the mother's preference.

How old was the child? Planting a tree, making some sort of plaque, taking a photo and adding a poem, just the idea of lighting a candle for the child, also if the child was an infant there is www.october15th.org i believe its org if not .com, they have all kinds of items, I have a ribbon on my car from the october website also I have a In Memory Decal on the back window of my car, in memory of my son who passed away when he was 4 months and 2 days old due to a bassinet collasping at a home daycare.

I have heard of people letting balloons go on the child/adults birthday every year.
Have everyone let go balloons like the time that person was born, or just the day.
So say the child would have been 3 tomorrow
Have everyone let go 3 ballooons and have everyone that does it take a picture and keep a album from every year with all the pictures

My friends lost their daughter in a tragic car accident. On the 1 year annivesary of her death, they held a memorial celebration of her life at the cemetery and released balloons. We also had a memory book, and each person was encouraged to write down a memory of her and her dad shared some of the funnier ones before the balloon release. I'm so sorry for your friends and for you--I know how hard it is when you just don't know what to say or what to do to help them.

the girl i work for loast 2 children in an 18 mths span.
scholarships are great and i know people did the tree thing and some did name a star. but the one she loved the most was the scholarship her children were 14 and 18 when they died.

Hi S.,

What a thoughtful idea. Any gift you decide on will surely be loved and appreciated by the parent. Here are a couple suggestions for something I would like to receive if I were in that position...

There are websites where you can have the child's name crocheted into a doily and then take it somewhere to have it framed. If you have a photo of the child you could have it framed together with the doily. Here are a few links: http://www.crochetdoilies.com/ http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23088171
http://keepsakecreations.netfirms.com/Crochet_Names/croch... http://www.goldenrodgallery.com/crochetnames.html

Have a counted cross-stitch portrait made of the child. Again, you'll need to have a photo of the child. I have a computer program that transfers pictures into patterns with very lifelike results. I am currently making a picture of my son-in-laws hunting dog for him for Christmas and it's very true to color. I'm sure there are people available who would cross-stitch the picture for you. I googled it and couldn't find any with a popular link, but it's well worth the time it takes to find someone. If you would like to tackle the project yourself I am available to make a pattern for you. It also includes a color chart. I must warn you though that it would be a tough project for a first timer. If you work on it full-time you could have it done in about 3-4 weeks. Part-time would take you anywhere from 3-6 months.

I hope you find what you are looking for...and I hope my suggestion are useful. Good luck.

W. Q

You could always make a donation in the child's name to a related charity, and either frame something about the donation or have a plaque made regarding the charity. When my grandmother passed, everyone in my family joined together and purchased wheelchairs for Iraqis in need. When a family friend passed due to cancer, we made a donation to the Susan G. Komen foundation.