Memorial jewellery, otherwise known as ‘memory jewellery’, is a popular way to hold your loved ones close, even after they’re gone.
In this article, we will be exploring the meaning behind memorial jewellery and how you can cherish special memories for many years to come.
When Somebody You Love Passes Away
When you lose a loved one, it is usually a very difficult time in your life. You experience a huge array of emotions, you burst into tears at seemingly random moments, and one day you think you see your deceased loved one in the supermarket.
According to the NHS, “all of this is quite normal […] Instead of analysing or questioning the way you feel, accept those feelings and let them be. Remember, one moment you may be okay and the next you may not. All of this is okay.”
As time passes, remembering your loved one will become easier and memorial jewellery can be a beautiful way to celebrate these memories.
What is Memorial Jewellery?
Memorial jewellery is a special piece of jewellery that honours a loved one. It might be purely symbolic or it might hold some physical part of them, such as a lock of hair, cremation ashes, or a fingerprint.
Memorial jewellery often serves as a comfort during times of grief, helping those grieving feel closer to the people they have lost, and it serves as a special keepsake loved ones can pass on to future generations to keep memories alive. It is especially popular for families hoping to store and keep their memories of loved ones who are no longer around.
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Keeping Memories Alive: Fear of Forgetting
The Cambridge English Dictionary says that to remember is, “to be able to bring back a piece of information into your mind, or to keep a piece of information in your memory.”
A common fear people experience after the death of a loved one is the fear of forgetting them now that they’re gone. Whether you’re worried you’ll forget the sound of their voice, their smell, the way they hugged you, or their laugh, it’s important to many who are grieving to keep these special memories alive.
Memorial jewellery is a wonderful way to keep your loved ones close and feel them near, even after they’re gone. By investing in memorial jewellery, according to TAPS, “you’re simply trying to hold on to a tangible, physical connection to the person. The person’s body is no longer physically here, but these special items are. And if they help you make it through the naturally scary, anxiety-filled early months of grief, so much the better.”
While a piece of jewellery won’t in any way replace the person you’ve lost, it will help keep their memory alive. And as What’s Your Grief validates, “You may be surprised to see that, as you find positive ways to continue bonds with the person you have lost, you can let go more and more of the pain without fear that you are letting go of the person you love.”
What is the Meaning Behind Memorial Jewellery?
Memorial jewellery often contains a memento of the person who has passed away, providing a sense of comfort to the wearer and a feeling of connection.
The meaning behind memorial jewellery is different for everyone. While it is a special way to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away, the memories held within the jewellery are unique to each person.
Engraving: What Do You Put on Memorial Jewellery?
Memorial jewellery can be customised with an engraving to personalise it with an intentional message or special date. There are all sorts of things you can have engraved onto memorial jewellery. Some popular choices include;
- Your loved one’s name
- Their birth date and passing date
- A favourite nickname or quote
- Sentimental messages
- Religious or spiritual phrases
The most important thing to remember is to make the jewellery meaningful to you. Perhaps you had an inside joke or a special nickname for them, engraving something special onto your memorial jewellery is a great way to honor these memories.
What is the Difference Between Sentimental and Memorial Jewellery?
Sentimental jewellery is different from memorial jewellery in that it holds deep emotional significance for the owner but the person it holds that connection for can be living or passed.
Sentimental jewellery can symbolise friendship, love, the memory of a loved one, commitment, family, a beloved pet, and so much more. Popular examples of sentimental jewellery items include: engagement rings, engraved bracelets and necklaces, friendship bracelets, rings with engraved messages or symbolic stones, and lockets with photos, engravings, or locks of hair.
Shop Jewellery at Cry for the Moon
At Cry for the Moon, we have a huge selection of beautiful jewellery pieces for you to explore and purchase as a piece of memorial jewellery for a loved one. Our vintage jewellery captures the beauty of history and our selection of sparkling diamonds will light up any room.
If you’re searching for a special item of jewellery to celebrate the life of a loved one, we encourage you to browse our extensive jewellery collection. We’re confident you will find something that will help you capture a special memory.
Cherish Your Memories Forever
While every day will be different after the loss of a loved one – some days filled with remembering and embracing those memories and others filled with the fear of forgetting – most people want to remember their loved ones on a regular basis and in some cases, need something visceral to hold on to.
Memorial jewellery helps fill that gap, providing you with a physical keepsake that helps you cherish your loved one’s memory forever.
