Art journaling is a much more intensely private medium in which to process memories and grief than traditional scrapbooking, which is typically intended for a more public audience. This can make an art/grief journal a very therapeutic outlet in the early stages of grief – especially anger – when we may need to let out things we don’t want to share publicly. All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle." - Saint Francis of Assisi Photo albums are highly customizable, so you can create your own just the way you want. You can either go for a more personal photo book showcasing the best moments you spent with your loved one or create a memoir where you tell their life story. Regardless of which style you choose, there are a few ideas that will always enhance your final product.

If you are unsure what to write about in your art/grief journal, try starting withsome suggested prompts.

Gather photographs of your loved one's life. Make sure to create duplicates and prints if necessary. Ask friends and family for photographs. Enter this helpful list. We’ve collected what we believe to be the best of the best in memorial ideas to help ease the pressure a bit. We’re certain there will be something here that is just right for keeping your loved one close. 10 Best Photo Memorial Ideas Ready to get started? Let’s take a closer look at how to create a memorial photo album and slideshow for your loved one.

Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Document the funeral, including photos of the flowers, the invitation, memorial booklet, condolences cards received, and anything notable.The very first thing you need to do is go through old photos and see which ones you want to include in your memorial photo book. You should also take this opportunity to speak with family members and friends to see if they have pictures of your loved one. Then, you need to make your final selection. It’s only natural to want to add every photo available, but we recommend only adding the best of the best – you want to make sure your book doesn’t end up too dense. When creating a commemorative photo book ( or any other type of book for that matter) there are a few aspects you need to consider:

What is lovely never dies, but passes into another loveliness, star-dust or sea-foam, flower or winged air." - Thomas Bailey Aldrich We recommend getting a sturdier cover for your memorial photo book. While this can be more expensive, there are still plenty of options at different price points. For example, hardcovers are already a robust yet more affordable alternative. However, we suggest getting a leather cover. Although it’s one of the most expensive options, it will last throughout various generations. During the difficult days, weeks, and months that follow the passing of a loved one, don't forget to take care of yourself. Here are some additional resources to help. Later, when there is no time pressure, you can work on scrapbooking more comprehensive storytelling about your loved one – including perhaps new things you learned from others during the remembrance events. Use an Art Journal as a Grief Journal When it comes to remembrance ideas, we want to choose something that captures the spirit of that special person. But finding just the right memorial can be difficult and even exhausting when you’re trying to pull from your own resources.One way of dealing with this particular challenge is to begin to scrapbook these pictures as part of a group. Whether it is with a formal grief support group or just your local church crop, having others around for support as you revisit old memories of your loved one can be a great resource. Research actually shows that scrapbooking about your loved one with group support is not only easier, but can be very therapeutic for the grieving process. Memorials are a wonderful way to keep those we’ve lost close to our hearts, and stir up warm recollections each time we see them. There are so many options available for remembrance items: jewelry, wall collages, albums, paintings, plaques, vases and candles — the list is almost endless. In your art journal, you can create expressive abstract pieces that illustrate how you're feeling. There are no rules or guidelines to creating this way - it's whatever brushstroke, pen pattern, or color you're feeling. However, some of us respond more easily to creativity when there is structure, and here is no different. Art journals for grief can have structure.

Later, the memories recorded in your art journal can be paired with photos and transferred to a traditional scrapbook if you wish. Your art journal will safely hold those memories until you are ready to take that step. Scrapbooking Old Memories (And New Ones)Memento lets you collect photos and videos from friends and family with one simple link to create a Shared Album that can be shared with only the people you choose. Use the photos from your Shared Album to create a memorial slideshow for a moving funeral photo display or Celebration of Life tribute video.