At first glance, it’s just a sheet of paper.
Names, dates, hymns, photos.
But this small booklet holds more than information.
It captures:
Who showed up
What was said
How your loved one was remembered
Years later, people will ask:
“Who spoke?”
“What song did we sing?”
That program has the answers.
📌 Keep one copy for your records.
Consider giving copies to close family — especially children or grandchildren who may want to know.
💡 Tip: Store it in a journal, photo album, or memory box — somewhere safe and intentional.
✉️ 2. Sympathy Cards and Handwritten Notes
You might receive dozens — or hundreds.
Tucked in envelopes.
Written in shaky cursive.
Signed by names you barely recognize.
Don’t toss them — even if you’re overwhelmed.
These letters are gifts.
They say:
“I saw your pain.”
“I remembered them.”
“You’re not alone.”
And one day, when the silence feels heavy, reading those words again can bring tears… and comfort.
📌 Sort them gently. Keep all, or choose a few that speak directly to your heart.
📖 Create a “love letter” folder — open it when you need to feel close again.
🌸 3. Flowers (Press or Preserve a Few)
Fresh flowers wilt.
That’s nature.
But that doesn’t mean their meaning has to fade.
While you don’t need to save every bouquet, consider preserving a small part:
Press a rose between book pages
Dry a sprig of baby’s breath
Save a single bloom from their favorite color
These aren’t keepsakes for display.
They’re tokens.
Something you can hold when you miss their voice.
💡 Other ideas:
