For a long time, the obituary was how a community learned about someone’s passing. It named the person, listed their survivors, and noted the service details. That format still serves a purpose, but many families now want something more personal to go alongside it.
One option is a memory book — a collection of photos, short stories, and written notes from the people who knew the deceased. Unlike a formal tribute, a memory book can be added to over time and shared with family members who live far away. It captures the small, specific details that a standard obituary usually leaves out.
Some families choose to write a legacy letter. This is a personal piece, written in the voice of the person who has passed or by someone close to them, that speaks directly to future generations. It might cover values they held, advice they would have given, or simply what their daily life looked like. It does not need to be long to be meaningful.
Online memorial pages have also become a practical way to bring people together after a loss. BestFarewell.com offers families a space to build a tribute that goes beyond a few lines, with room for stories, photos, and messages from others who wish to contribute. It can serve as a lasting record that family members return to over the years.
Other options are simpler. A charitable donation in someone’s name, a tree planted in a meaningful place, or a small annual gathering can all serve as ways to mark a life without requiring much planning. These kinds of gestures tend to carry more weight over time because they involve ongoing participation rather than a single event.
None of these approaches need to replace one another. A family might write an obituary, create an online memorial through a platform like BestFarewell.com, and plant a tree, all for the same person. The goal is simply to create something that reflects who that person was and gives those who loved them a way to stay connected to that memory.
There is no single correct way to remember someone. The most useful thing is to choose an approach that feels true to the person and manageable for the family, then follow through on it.