Brits share how to celebrate a loved one after death – like telling stories

Brits share the personal ways they want loved ones to celebrate them after they pass away

This video shows the heartfelt and touching ways people want to be remembered when they pass – from getting their friends to take a dip in the North Sea, to their mates having a drink in their honour. Charlie Rich, who was answering questions in Waterloo, said: “I would love my friends to remember me by going through the gruelling physical activity of running into the North Sea.”

Others spoke about the ways in which they have already paid tribute to those who have passed – including a bike ride from London to Paris, and drinking their favourite soup.

Farrah Sardar said: “If you love someone, they’re always with you, and we’ll do something special for them just to keep the memory alive.”

It comes after a poll of 2,000 UK adults revealed the quirky ways people remember loved ones who have passed away – including getting a tattoo, running a marathon, and retelling their best jokes.

Wearing a football shirt from their favourite team, and ticking items off their bucket list, are also among the homages to celebrate the legacy and memories of family and friends who are no longer with them.

Other popular ways to remember loved ones were to go on a day trip to a meaningful place, cook a recipe learned from them, or create a piece of art.

It emerged that 77 percent feel it’s important to celebrate and remember loved ones – with 85 percent believing such celebrations should be positive rather than upsetting.

The research was commissioned ahead of Celebration Day on Sunday, 28 May, to encourage people to pause, come together, and celebrate those no longer with us.

Julia Samuel MBE, grief specialist and psychologist, said: “Talking about death is still seen as a taboo subject, but it is so important that we do, and that we continue to share stories and rituals and tales about our loved ones who have died.

“Having a special day like Celebration Day where we can say their name, talk about them, we can laugh about them, and we can remember them, helps us with confidence and robustness to take them forward with us, as we go forward.”

The study also found 72 percent of adults would be interested in planting a tree to remember a loved one – with the top reasons for this including protecting the environment, and finding trees peaceful.

But 65 percent believe, aside from specific days of remembrance, there are too few opportunities where everyone feels encouraged to come together and talk about lost loved ones.

And 63 percent don’t have a regular ritual to remember a lost loved one – with 24 percent believing that Britain as a society is not very good at managing grief, loss, and death.

Of those who find it an uncomfortable subject, 29 percent worry about upsetting others, while 22 percent feel there is “never a good time” to bring up such a potentially difficult subject with people they know.

Despite this, one in five would like to talk more about loved ones who have passed away, according to OnePoll.com figures – while 70 percent enjoy hearing stories about them.

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