Let's begin to put together your Spirit Altar...

Take several deep breaths. 

Bring to mind the last time that thinking of your lost beloved brought a smile to your heart, however fleeting, even if right now the thought is tinged with sadness. 

What was it about that moment you were recalling that brought the smile? Was it something about their character, or perhaps something about your relationship, or maybe a standout experience you both shared? 

Spend a few minutes thinking about this and write down your response. 

You can keep going and bring up other moments or aspects of your beloved that bring you a smile. Write these down.

Moving forward, whenever something brings warmth to your heart when thinking of your lost one, note it, and symbolize that in an item. 

The memorial you are now creating is being filled in with moments of appreciation for the spirit your beloved embodied and the connection you shared. While they are no longer with you, the connection you shared was real and was a blessing for however long it lasted in physical reality. Find comfort in having had such an opportunity- it is precious to have in this lifetime, and, like all things in this existence, ultimately fated to end, whether sooner or later. For as much pain as these memories may bring up, they are also sources of joy. I invite you to focus on this aspect as a way to honor your lost one- your appreciation for the joy you experienced with their presence in your life.

While you are in this process of integrating your loss, stay present to the relationships you have right now. I encourage you to reach out to someone you care about and let them know how they matter to you. An organic way to do this: when a memory pops up of someone currently in your life that brings warmth to your heart, reach out and let them know that you carry them with you, that they matter to you.