Throughout December and January many people come together with family and friends to celebrate the festive period. But commemorating Christmas and the New Year can be hard when you are missing a loved one. 

Grief affects everyone in different ways and at different times. You may be feeling angry, sad or even anxious going into the festive period. There is no right or wrong way to feel – just know that you are not alone in experiencing all of these emotions. 

Coping with grief during Christmas 

Whether it’s your first Christmas without your loved ones or 10 years on, this time of the year can be very difficult. We are here to help you through this challenging period. Christmas Day may feel weird and different and that’s OK. Have a think about what you do and do not want to do and let people know your decision. Don’t feel guilty about not wanting to celebrate the day like you did in previous years. 

Incorporate your passed loved ones into your day, whether this be through old traditions or new ones. Old traditions can be painful when remembering loved ones, so creating a new tradition remembering someone you are grieving can be a way for the whole family to come together. For example, dedicating a candle to your loved one and lighting it during a difficult day might be one way to cope with grief. 

Surround yourself with people who will make the festive period feel less difficult. Whether this is your whole family or a select few, it is important to be comfortable in expressing how you are feeling with the people around you.  

Grief is not something we get over but learn to live with. So encourage your family and friends to talk about your loved one and share memories to help everyone pay tribute and honour the person who has departed. If you find yourself enjoying the day and having fun with family and friends, do not feel guilty about it. Be kind to yourself and let yourself feel your emotions. 

Here are some ways to remember a passed loved one this holiday period 

• A personalised Christmas ornament: This is something you can display every year to honour a memory. 

• Light a candle in their honour: Purchase a candle dedicated to your loved one and light it when you are remembering loved ones on difficult day. This can be used through the year but particularly on occasions that trigger emotions.

• A memorial frame: Pictures last a lifetime. Memorial frames help you remember all the happiness that was brought to your life. These can be displayed throughout the year, helping you keep your loved one close by. 

• Have a Christmas toast in their honour: When everyone is gathered for Christmas, make a toast dedicated to your loved one. You can write something down beforehand to help you through the toast. If toasting with a group of people is too daunting, this is something you can do privately at any time of the year.

• Look at old photos: Looking through pictures can help you smile during a challenging time. This is something you can do with others or on your own if you are having a particularly difficult day. This may make you cry or may make you feel happy. Whatever you’re feeling, it’s OK to feel it. 

• Share your favourite memories with family and friends: Family gatherings are perfect times to share memories. This is a great way of remembering loved ones. If sharing these memories face to face is making you feel anxious, you can ask your family and friends to write their favourite memories down for you to read at a later date. These memories are great to read on a day where you are feeling down and overwhelmed by grief. 

Memorial frames for departed loved ones 

Remembered Forever creates beautiful personalised remembrance frames to help you treasure the memory of a passed loved one. This small token can bring a smile to those hurting over the Christmas period and beyond. We also provide keepsake frames for lost pets.  Our pets are part of the family and losing one can be tough. Pay tribute to your sadly departed pet with a handmade pet keepsake.  

Have an idea in mind? We’re here to help. Get in touch, nothing is too big or too small.

At Remembered Forever, we know how hard it is to come to terms with the death of a pet. Losing your treasured companion is one of life’s biggest challenges, which is why we do what we can to take some of the pain away. 

Our handmade pet urn, memorial and keepsake frames have been designed to provide you with comfort in your time of need, and the weeks and months thereafter. They may not be able to bring your pet back, but can at least put you on the path to celebrating their memory. 

Personalised Pet Urns 

As the bond that you shared with your pet was so unique, it’s important to us that we give you as much freedom as possible over the design of your frame. Each of our products has several customisation options, with built-in spaces to enclose pictures, keepsakes and the ashes of your departed companion. 

Using our online designer tool to personalise your memorial photo frame couldn’t be easier. The process is much the same regardless of the product you choose, with some small differences depending on the space you have available. 

Here’s what you need to know. 

Online Designer Tool 

Before you get started, the first thing you should do is decide whether you would like an ashes or non-ashes frame. We understand that different people have different preferences, so the choice is completely up to you. 

If you would like to store your pet’s ashes in one of our high-quality Italian oak veneer picture frames, you need to find out how much they weighed when they were alive. This will determine the volume of their ashes. Our specialist pet urns can hold weights of up to 54kg (120 lbs). 

From here, the process is easy to follow. Simply select from our Pet Ashes & Keepsake Frames, Pet Ashes Frames, Memorial (Non Ashes) Frames or Keepsake (Non Ashes) Frames and you’ll be guided through a handful of steps. You will be able to choose the colour of your frame, upload your photo(s) and attach any special messages before submitting your design. Photos can be made bigger or smaller, as well as printed in colour or black and white. Glass is provided as standard with the option to upgrade to optical glass for an additional fee. Keepsakes and ashes can be added when you receive your product. 

What Happens Next  

Once you have completed your design, then it’s down to us. We will print your pictures on 100% cotton fine art paper and manufacture the frame to your specifications. Your finished memorial item will be carefully packaged and delivered to you free of charge, even if you’re an international customer. That’s how much we care. 

You can either hang your pet urn or keepsake frame on the wall or display it on a flat surface. 

Timeless Pet Urns At Remembered Forever 

We hope you have enjoyed this guide on how to use our online designer tool. If there’s anything you would like further clarification on, please feel free to contact us here. For a limited time only, you can save 25% on all of our products. Simply enter code SAVE25 at checkout to claim your discount. 

Keep the memory of your beloved cat, dog, rabbit or duck in your heart and your home forever, and choose your perfect keepsake, urn or memorial frame today. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for the latest updates.