Why Create a Family Memory Book?

Along with the solemn activities of Memorial Day, a day of honoring the dead and of prayer for permanent peace, have fun with the family because the children are out of school for the day! Remember that it also marks the beginning of the summer season — fresh fruit, homemade ice cream, and vacations.

Family Memory Book

This is a good opportunity to learn more about your family. Memorial Day is the perfect time to start a Family Memory Book. Make a page for each family member who has died. Use a loose-leaf binder so that you can add pages each year.

If you’re one of the lucky people whose immediate family is still living, your parents or grandparents will remember their own parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and grandparents. It will also mean a lot to the older members of your family to know that the people they were close to are not forgotten.

What to Include on Each Page

Write down the facts at the top of the page, including their name, where and when they were born and died, and how they were related to you. If they had a spouse or children, also include their names. Then write things you or another member of the family can remember about that person and what made them special.

Your book won’t ever be finished. Memorial Day is a good time to look at your Family Memory Book and add pages to it. You can also make copies of the pages for other family members. They will be delighted that you want to share your memories of the people they loved.

Your family might want to make a trip to the cemetery where your ancestors are buried, or another local cemetery. Many old tombstones are etched with interesting designs or sayings. Hold a piece of paper over the stone, and rub the side of a pencil lead back and forth across the paper. The etching on the tombstone will appear on your paper! If done carefully on high quality paper or parchment, you can even frame it.