[custom_adv] But the idea is the same: On the anniversary of a loved one’s death, it is good to acknowledge the loss. The form of grief will change over time, but that empty place will always be there. [custom_adv] The person who died was real. They actually lived, and they deserve to be remembered, cherished, and honored. Even if they had their faults (and we all do!), their life impacted many people in many ways. It is healthy to acknowledge this. [custom_adv] So however you do it, large or small, and whatever you choose to do, from a quiet time of journaling to a full-on party, yes, you should celebrate a death anniversary. [custom_adv] It’s going to be a tough day. It’s been a year; it feels like just a day or two. The grief may have subdued a little, but especially on the “day of” you will probably feel raw. Plan some time to mourn, contemplate, pray, journal, walk, or just bury yourself in the couch. [custom_adv] Take the day off from work. Don’t plan any big activities, and feel free to skip some daily chores. Set aside time to remember. [custom_adv] Like many of us in this digital age, you probably have a camera that you carry around every moment of the day. Go through your phone’s photos (or your social media accounts) and choose some photos to print out. [custom_adv] There are many services that will print photos directly from Instagram or other websites. You can also take your phone in to many printers and they can pull the photos from your phone. Otherwise, you’ll want to contact the printers and email/upload the ones you want printed, or go there with a zip drive of the files. [custom_adv] The first death anniversary is a good time to get started on this. Before then can feel too soon; over a year and many of these things will be lost to time. [custom_adv] Get a necklace with their name or signature engraved, and maybe include their birthstone as well. There are many incredibly creative memorial jewelry ideas handcrafted at Etsy. [custom_adv] Additionally, at Urns Northwest we have memorial jewelry with compartments to hold a small token amount of their ashes. If your loved one was cremated, this is a lovely memorial idea and a way to “keep them close to your heart.”