“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near; still loved, still missed and very dear” – Anonymous

Myself, like many others, have lost more people in this world than we would like. Many people ask what they can do for a loved one. Food is always a go to option, you can send cut flowers or floral arrangements from a florist. If you have any gardening experience you could make a living memorial on your own. This will allow personalized details or color choices. Head to your favorite flower shop that sell indoor plants. You can definitely do an outdoor living memorial as well, just aim for part sun perennial plants. By choosing indoor or perennial plants your loved ones can enjoy this memorial for years to come. 

Supply List

• Large low profile planter (ceramic or plastic) 
• 3-6 small plants (depending on your planter size)
• A enough small rocks to cover the bottom of your planter. 
• A few coffee filters or paper towels
• Planting soil 
• Peat moss 
• Decorative moss
• Plant stake or decorative details. 

Step 1
If your planter has a drainage hole in the bottom, cover the hole with a paper towel or coffee filter. This will allow you to fill and water the planter without the soil coming out.

Step 2
Place your rocks around the edge and around the bottom. This will help make sure your plants aren’t sitting in standing water. Especially, if there is not a drainage hole. 

Step 3
Put a layer of peat moss on the bottom of your planter. After you finish this layer, place a layer of soil. But layering these mediums, you insure proper moister control. 

Step 4
I like to my planters to have some tall, short and hanging plants. I like the way it looks as it grows. Start with your tallest plants in the back of your planter. Then rest of your plants. I alternate colored plants with solid plants, to be sure they are all seen. I started my planter with a calla lily. After I had it secured in place, by adding additional dirt. I placed my fern and white floral plant on each side. Next to each of those I placed a purple waffle plant and pathos. The pathos with hang and add another depth of detail. Planting is an art form on its own. 

Step 5
After you have your plants in place, pack in the dirt and cover with more peat moss. When you finish with the dirt add a decorative layer of moss. Sphagnum moss was my choice. This isn’t necessary at all, it just adds a little something. 

Step 6
To finish off your memorial planter, simply add in your decorations. For my memorial planter, which I made for my Aunt Beth, I chose purple and butterfly accents (her favorites). I know that I can’t do anything to make losing my Uncle Steve any easier, but what I can do is to wear my heart on my sleeve and show them love! I added a beautiful cross stake with butterflies and four butterflies for their four children. 

A living memorial is what I can do to help make this transition easier. To look at something beautiful, made for them with love. 

“Remember that people are only guests in your story – the same way you are only a guest in theirs – so make the chapters worth reading” – Lauren Klarfeld