There’s something about photographs that evoke emotions about our captured life moments. They remind us of the special memories we have with our loved ones, including those no longer physically by our side. By creating a photo memento in honor of a deceased loved one, families can have a memorial keepsake to cherish forever.

1. Memorial Frame

A simple, yet meaningful way to display a deceased loved one’s photo is with a personalized memorial frame. A frame can be personalized with an engraving of their name, birth and death dates, a memorial quote or phrase, and other decorations such as flowers or items that reflect their personality.

2. Photo Display

If you have multiple photos of your deceased loved one that you want to showcase, you can create a photo display area in your home. You can come up with a unique way to hang frames on your wall or arrange them in a pattern on a table, such as in the shape of a heart. Consider incorporating their hobbies, like hanging photos from a fishing pole or golf club.

3. Photo Lantern

Light up your home with the memory of the deceased by making a memorial photo lantern to display in your home.

To make a photo lantern, you’ll need:

• Black and white vertical photos
• Vellum paper
• A lantern
• A real or fake candle
• Double-sided tape
• Scissors

First, measure the size of the openings on the lantern; print the photos in the necessary size on vellum paper; and cut the photos if needed. Then, place double-sided tape in the corners of the lantern openings, and smoothly press the photos onto the glass. Lastly, place the candle inside and watch it glow while thinking about the deceased.

4. Photo Quilt

Photos of your deceased loved one can be preserved together by making a memorial photo quilt. To do this, you’ll need to print the photos onto printer fabric sheets using a color printer. You should print the photos on paper first to make sure they look right before using the fabric sheets. Also, check to see if your printer can print on fabric sheets, or else you can have them professionally printed.

5. Photo Wreath

Show your eternal love for your deceased loved one by making a memorial photo wreath.

To make a photo wreath, you’ll need:

• An embroidery hoop
• Fabric
• Scissors
• Glue gun or double-sided tape
• Twine and ribbon
• Photos
• Other decorations (buttons, stickers, letters, etc.)
• Mini clothespins

Cut fabric into one-inch strips, wrap it around the embroidery hoop, and secure it with the glue gun. Then, wrap the twine tight around the embroidery hoop, creating lines in the middle to hang photos from. Attach any other decorations with glue or tape and make a ribbon bow at the top of the wreath if you wish. Lastly, attach photos to the twine with mini clothespins.

Check out this photo wreath craft article for more information on how to make this memorial craft.

6. Life Journey Candle

The glow of a Life Journey Candle will fill families with hope while mourning their loved one. With our all-in-one personalization suite Tribute Center, funeral directors can create personalized mementos, like candles, for their client families featuring the deceased’s photo, name, and birth and death dates.

7. Scrapbook

Get crafty by putting together a memorial scrapbook filled with photos, ticket stubs, postcards, stickers, and other decorations to capture the deceased’s life adventures. Family members can work on the memorial scrapbook together by assigning everyone a page to decorate.