Memorial Ideas for the Winter Season

Winter has a way of slowing life down. The quiet snowfall, earlier evenings, and stillness of the season can bring both comfort and ache—especially when you’re missing someone you love. For many families, the winter months are filled with holidays, anniversaries, and memories that make grief feel especially present.

At Bakken-Young, we believe that remembrance is an important part of healing. Memorials don’t have to be large or formal to be meaningful. Sometimes, the simplest gestures become the most comforting. Here are some winter memorial ideas to gently honor your loved one’s memory during the colder months.

1. Light a Memory Candle

One of the most heartfelt winter memorial ideas is also the simplest: light a candle in your loved one’s honor. You might:

• Place the candle by a photo or keepsake
• Light it at a certain time each evening
• Say a short prayer, reflection, or memory when you light it

The soft glow can be a quiet reminder that love continues, even in seasons of darkness.

2. Create a Memory Ornament or Wreath

Winter often brings decorating traditions, which can be a beautiful time to weave in remembrance.

• Memory Ornament: Use a clear ornament and fill it with a small note, dried flowers, a piece of ribbon, or a tiny photo.
• Memorial Wreath: Create or purchase a wreath and add small touches that remind you of your loved one—favorite colors, a small charm, or a ribbon with their name.

Each time you see the ornament or wreath, you’re invited to remember and smile, even if that smile comes with tears.

3. Take a Winter Walk of Remembrance

On a calm winter day, consider taking a walk in a meaningful place—a favorite park, neighborhood, or quiet country road. Use this time to:

• Reflect on moments you shared
• Speak to your loved one in your heart
• Notice small signs of beauty—sunlight on snow, birds in bare trees

You might go alone or invite a family member or friend to join you. Walking can help release some of the heaviness that grief brings.

4. Cook or Bake in Their Honor

Food often carries powerful memories. Choose a recipe that reminds you of your loved one—perhaps something they made, or simply enjoyed.

• Bake their favorite cookies and share them with family or neighbors
• Cook a special meal and set a small place or candle at the table
• Write the recipe down and label it as “In Memory Of…” to keep it as a family keepsake

This is a warm, tangible way to keep their presence woven into winter traditions.

5. Start a Giving Tradition

Winter can be a challenging time for many people. Honoring your loved one through kindness can be healing:

• Donate to a cause that mattered to them
• Give warm clothing, blankets, or food to a local shelter
• Perform small anonymous acts of kindness—paying for a coffee, leaving a note, or dropping off a treat

You might call it your “[Loved One’s Name] Winter Kindness Tradition” and repeat it each year.

6. Make a Memory Journal or Box

Winter’s quiet can create space for reflection. Consider:

• Memory Journal: Write down stories, things you miss, things you’re grateful for, or letters to your loved one.
• Memory Box: Fill a box with photos, notes, ticket stubs, cards, or items that remind you of important moments.

You can return to these whenever you need closeness, or share them with children and grandchildren someday.

7. Attend a Service of Remembrance or Create Your Own

If your schedule and comfort level allow, a community or church remembrance service can be a powerful way to honor your loss alongside others who understand. If gathering in person feels like too much, you can create your own brief at-home “service”:

• Light a candle
• Read a favorite poem, scripture, or quote
• Play a song that brings you comfort
• Sit in silence or share memories with those present

These small rituals can make the winter season feel more supported and held.

You Don’t Have to Do It All

You may not feel ready for any of these ideas right now—and that’s okay. Grief has no timeline. You can come back to these winter memorial ideas in another year, or choose just one small gesture that feels manageable. Your way of remembering is enough.

At Bakken-Young, we are here to support you—whether you’re planning a service, seeking grief resources, or simply needing someone to listen. In every season, your loved one’s life matters, and so does your ongoing journey of healing.

If you’d like to talk more about remembrance options or winter memorial ideas that fit your family, we’re always here to help.