MAKE A MEMORY BOX

When a special person has died you may have lots of different memories of them. You may remember how they looked, what they said, places you went together or how you felt about each other.
A memory box is a special box to hold things that remind you of the person who has died. You can add to it when you have a memory that you want to keep in your special place.

Making a Memory Box

Choose a box e.g a shoe box or a plastic container with a lid. You can cover and decorate it with paper, paint, glitter, stickers, shells etc.

 What might go in to your box?

• Photos

Photos of the person or times you shared together for example a family holiday or trip out. Put in photos that you really like and you may want to glue a photo on the top of the box as well.

• Letters or cards

You may want to keep a letter or card that you have written to your special person or one you received from them or write down things that you would have liked to have said to them. To remember a special anniversary or birthday you may want to put a card you have made in your box.

• Personal Items or keepsakes

You may have something that belonged to your special person such as a piece of clothing or jewellery. It may be helpful to keep a favorite perfume or aftershave in your box. It is OK ask for something that reminds you of that person. Who would you feel OK to ask? Maybe a family member or friend?

You may not have anything that belonged to the person who died so you could write a poem about how you feel or make a drawing of your special person or memories you have of them.

You may want to include a CD or tape of music that reminds you of the person who has died. E.g. a song that was played at the funeral.

You may feel that your memory box is very private and you may want to keep it to yourself or you may want to share it with others when you are thinking about the person who has died or feeling sad or lonely. This helps you to talk about them and your memories of them.

We hope you will find it helpful to collect all your different memories and keep them safe and special to you in your memory box.