A memorial stone creates a beautiful marker for non-traditional memorials like ash scatterings. They’re often complementary to the location — with only a simple message to mark the individual’s scattering site. Visiting these stones becomes a blessing for the family and friends of the person who has passed. In fact, we often see this when people visit our garden on our days of celebration. Our scattering garden contains many of these markers, which help people find the right spot in the scatter garden, or to identify their loved one’s memory tree.
Table of Contents
What is a Memorial Stone?
Why do you visit a Memorial Stone?
What to do when you visit a Memorial Stone?
Meditations for Visiting Memorial Stones
Once our guests locate the personalized memorial stones, they spend some time at that special spot. Most people use that visit to meditate on the life and memories of their loved one; it’s a truly personal and beautiful moment. If you’re considering ash scattering as an option for your loved one, or your own end-of-life planning, the following information can help you during your future visits.
What is a Memorial Stone?
A memorial stone is a simple marker placed at an ash-scattering location. It helps family and friends find the scattering location. At our property, we place memorial stones in our scatter garden or at the base of a memorial tree — depending on the scattering option chosen.
Why do you visit a Memorial Stone?
Visiting a memorial stone is similar to going to a gravesite. It’s a chance to connect with the memory of a loved one and honor their life. Our property is private to ensure the preservation of its natural beauty. However, twice a year we invite visitors to come and see their loved one’s memorial stones.
What to do when you visit a Memorial Stone?
Sometimes, people aren’t sure what to do when they visit a memorial stone. We encourage our guests to take as long as they need at the maker. During this time, people choose their own way to remember and reflect.
- Say a Prayer: Saying a prayer at a loved one’s scattering site can help you connect your grief to your faith. It can be an expression of hope, pain, or thankfulness for the time you had together.
- Read a Poem or Verse: Before you visit, you can copy a quote that you want to read at your loved one’s memorial stone. Many people choose a familiar poem or favorite bible verse.
- Quietly Reflect: Others choose to simply reflect quietly on their loved one’s legacy. In a world with constant noise and distractions, our peaceful mountain top offers a break from busy life.
7 Meditations for Visiting Memorial Stones
We’ve compiled some of our favorite verses to inspire your meditations when you visit your loved one’s scattering site.
John 11:25-26
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”
As you reflect on this passage, reflect on the promise of eternal life.
Revelation 21:4
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Although you may be grieving now, one day the tears will be replaced with joy.
Romans 14:8
“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”
For believers, we can rest in the knowledge that we belong to the Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When you visit your loved one’s memorial stone, this passage will remind you that the love of God is always with us.
Psalm 116:15
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.”
Find comfort in knowing that the Lord cares about your loved one’s death as much as you do.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Remember that God sacrificed so that we could all be reunited in heaven someday.
1 Corinthians 15:53-55
“For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
For those who believe in Christ, death is just a passage from life into new life.
Mark Your Loved One’s Final Resting Place
If you’re considering ash scattering as a final goodbye for your loved one, please get in touch with us. We can help you arrange the service and answer your questions. While we can’t ease the burden of your loss, we can provide a beautiful way to say goodbye.
Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.