Brits have shared some of the top ways they celebrate loved ones who have passed away – including looking through photographs of them, lighting a candle, or simply raising a glass in their honour.
Seven in ten adults who have lost a loved one enjoy hearing stories about them – while listening to their favourite song, or donating to a charity in their memory, are other popular ways of paying tribute.
And when asked about some of the quirkier ways they have kept their friend or relative's memory alive, answers from Londoners included going for a swim – and drinking their favourite soup at their funeral.
The survey, of 2,000 adults, found that more than three-quarters (77%) feel it is important to celebrate the memories of their loved ones – with one in five saying they would like to talk more about people they have lost.
And the research, also asked Brits how they would like their memory to be honoured when they pass.
One respondent, Charlie Rich, answered: “I would love my friends to remember me by going through the gruelling physical activity of running into the North Sea.”
And Farrah Sardar added: “If you love someone, they’re always with you, and we’ll do something special for them just to keep the memory alive.”
It emerged that other popular ways to remember someone include ticking things off their bucket list, cooking a recipe learned from them, or taking a day trip to a place that was special to them.
And 85% believe that such celebrations should be positive, rather than upsetting.
The survey was commissioned ahead of Celebration Day on Sunday, 28 May, to encourage people to pause, come together, and celebrate those no longer with us.
Julia Samuel MBE, grief specialist and psychologist, said: “Talking about death is still seen as a taboo subject, but it is so important that we do, and that we continue to share stories and rituals and tales about our loved ones who have died.
“Having a special day like Celebration Day where we can say their name, talk about them, we can laugh about them, and we can remember them, helps us with confidence and robustness to take them forward with us, as we go forward.”
The study also found 72% of adults would be interested in planting a tree to remember a loved one – with the top reasons for this including protecting the environment, and finding trees peaceful.
But 65% believe, aside from specific days of remembrance, there are too few opportunities where everyone feels encouraged to come together and talk about lost loved ones.
And 63% don’t have a regular ritual to remember a lost loved one – with 24% believing that Britain as a society is not very good at managing grief, loss, and death.
Of those who find it an uncomfortable subject, 29% worry about upsetting others, while 22% feel there is “never a good time” to bring up such a potentially difficult subject with people they know.
TOP WAYS BRITS CELEBRATE LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY:
- Look through photographs of them
- Share a story about them with others
- Raise a glass/make a toast
- Light a candle
- Donate to charity in their memory
- Listen to their favourite song
- Plant a tree or flower in their memory
- Share a post on social media
- Re-tell their favourite jokes and catchphrases
- Visit their favourite place
- Send a message to someone else
- Cook a recipe you learnt from them
- Sit on a bench overlooking a view they liked
- Create a memory book
- Watch their favourite movie
- Send a card to someone else
- Cook their favourite meal
- Wear their favourite colour
- Give a gift to someone else
- Dog walk in the place that person loved
- Create a virtual tribute
- Get a tattoo in their memory
- Create a piece of art
- Buy an item of clothing because you know that person would have approved
- Wear a football shirt from their favourite team
- Continue a collection they had started e.g. stickers, coins, pottery, etc.
- Have their ashes made into jewellery
- Install a bench
- Have their clothes made into a blanket or teddy
- Have an announcement made over the PA at their favourite sports club's next game
