8 Ways to Honor Your Deceased Dad on Father's Day
Even many years after his death, the annual Father's Day holiday can be difficult for anyone who is still grieving the loss of his or her father. Here are ten meaningful ways to remember and honor your deceased father on Father's Day or any of the other 364 days of the year.
Do Something in Dad's Honor Together
What were your favorite activities to do with your father? You can honor your father by doing that act with others who loved him, whether you cooked on the grill, played baseball, went to the opera, or watched a favorite TV show. Before you begin the activity, share your memories, photos, videos, or stories about Dad.
Write a Letter to or About Your Father
Writing or journaling your thoughts and feelings is an effective stress-reduction technique that can also be therapeutic. Consider writing a private letter, whether you express yourself best on a computer or with paper and pen.
Pay a visit to your father's gravesite.
Visit your deceased father's gravesite or the location where his cremated remains ("ashes") were deposited this Father's Day to pay tribute to him. Remove any debris from his resting spot, such as leaves or dead flowers, and then leave a fresh floral bouquet to celebrate your visit and your affection. It could also be a good time to "chat" to your father, sharing your appreciation and letting him know how much he meant to you.
Plant a Tree
Consider planting a tree in memory of your father if you have space in your yard. Dig the hole after purchasing the sapling from a nursery, and then gather your family to say a few words or share their favorite memories of your father. Before you finish planting and watering the tree, ask each family member to toss a handful of dirt into the hole. You could also add a small engraved "In Memory of..." plaque to the bottom of this living memorial to your father. If you don't have enough space in your backyard to plant a tree, consider donating one to a local hospice, library, or place of worship to help beautify your community in your father's memory.
Make a scrapbook
Scrapbooking is a creative, fun way to create a lasting visual memorial to someone you care about. Begin by gathering and printing images of your father that bring back happy memories. If you want, you can ask others to do the same. Then, either by yourself or with friends and family, get to work. Father's Day or a long holiday weekend is an excellent time to go through family photos, share the stories behind the photos, and create a special scrapbook as a tribute to your father.
Heal by assisting others
Make a donation in your father's memory to a cause that is meaningful to him, or to help find a cure for a disease, such as cancer or Alzheimer's. You may also want to consider donating a few hours of your time to help others. Please visit the VolunteerMatch website for a list of opportunities to support someone else in your city.
Make a video tribute to the deceased.
Create a completely edited slideshow from your favorite images and set it to music, or make a quick tribute video with your smartphone. Once you've done, show it off to your family and friends, or post it online, like this YouTube tribute video, to show the world how much you adore your dad.
Spend Your Time
If you have traditionally taken your father out to eat on Father's Day, his birthday, or another special day, given him a gift, or simply hung out with him for an afternoon, consider brightening the life of another father by doing the same. If you don't already have a contact, inquire at your place of worship, a nursing home or hospice, or even your workplace. While your father cannot be replaced, consider your actions to be a loving gesture in his memory that would make him proud of the child he raised.
Related: How do they celebrate Father’s Day in other countries?
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