Symbols to honour your loved one - What is important?

What is Important!! How do you summarise a life in a few minutes?  What symbols would you use for a loved one to represent their life?

I recently conducted a ceremony in celebration of a Mum, Grandma, Great Grandma, and lovely Lady and the family used the following to give a visual interpretation of her life.

Symbols of importance were placed on her coffin before we commenced the service and during the service I explained their significance.   

• The White Teddy Bear was given to her years ago when she had a stroke and went to hospital; she took with her when she left her home to live with her son and daughter in law and it accompanied her to the Nursing Home and hospital
• ‘A girl has to look her best at all times!’ so she has her manicure set and make up with her for that quick touch-up
• She was renowned as a wonderful cook and the family told me that you never entered her kitchen without being offered a cuppa, as the billy was always on the boil and fresh homemade cake or slices available. She also made many Celebration cakes for family and friends.  The cakes and recipe book symbolise her love of cooking, catering and her love of making Celebration cakes.
• She could sew – she made many wedding, bridesmaids, debutant gowns, and every day and special outfits for family and friends – the Sewing items are to symbolise this ability to turn a piece of material into something special.
• Knitting needles, wool and pattern – whether it is a cardigan or jumper knitted in cable, birdsf oot, or lace stitch, or preparing for that new child in the family with a matinee jacket or layette, she could be relied upon to produce a wonderful knitted article. “How can knitting be wasting time? I never just knit; I knit and think, knit and listen, knit and watch.  You aren't wasting time if you get a useful or beautiful object at the end of it.” Stephanie Pearl-McPhee said these words and I am sure that your loved one would agree.
• Bottle of Water “Water Please”- this is from the time that she was not allowed any water while in hospital when all she wanted was “water please.”
• The Birthday candle – given to her by daughter on her last birthday – ‘One day this light from this candle will disperse the darkness that we presently perceive around us.’

Wonderful symbolism used by the family to acknowledge their loved one.  This theme was also reinforced by her son when speaking of his Mum and by the photos shown of her life. 

A wonderful Mum, Grandma, and Great Grandma who was loved greatly and will be remembered fondly by her family and friends.