Plantable Sympathy Cards

Here's a lovely idea that's both eco-friendly and poetic - sympathy cards made from plantable paper. Created by Greetings That Grow on Etsy, these cards (and envelopes) are embedded with a variety of organic flowering seeds, sure to bring a bevy of hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden.


This is a terrific concept for so many reasons. When we lose someone we love, we receive many sympathy cards. But do we really want to save them? By planting these cards, the sentiments are made manifest by the return of lovely flowers. Although we may have lost someone, we are reminded how life goes on, and how beautiful it can be.

Greetings That Grow also offers plantable tags/favors that could be given out at a service. Appropriately enough, the seeds contained in the favors are Forget Me Nots.


Please contact Greetings That Grow for custom orders.

Repurposed Jewelry

I have bags of meaningful jewelry, from costume trinkets to special pearls. But I rarely wear them as is - they are either falling apart, or I feel more like I'm playing "dress up". Repurposing this jewelry - taking the best and making something even better - is a great way to honor my family's fabulous taste with a new twist that's specifically my own.

I found Voleur de Bijoux on Etsy, a designer who upcycles vintage jewelry into gorgeous items. I especially love the charm necklaces. She captures the spirits of specific eras, from Boho Chic to Americana Classic. Check out this Nefetia Mata Hari Vintage Bumble Bee with Turquoise necklace:

Or this Margo Edwardian Couture Vintage Brass Leaf with Crystal Prism Necklace:

This Roxy London Glam Antique necklace is especially exquisite. This ravishing neckace has a narrative, a point of view that captures a specific time and place.

Voleur de Bijoux understands how collected pieces put together can tell a unique story. I'm gathering some pieces to have transformed into a signature piece that captures my glamorous grandma's 1940's style, yet feeling modern enough for me to wear everyday. I'll be sure to post a "before & after"!

Memento Mori T-Shirt

Be Mindful of Death ... it's a concept that's been around as long as, well, death itself. From the Romans to Medieval Catholics, Buddhists to Bourgeois Protestants, images of skeletons cavorting with the living, clocks that inevitably count down to our final hour, and even flowers past their bloom are meant to remind us of our unavoidable fate. Depressing, yes, but it's also an important reminder to enjoy life while you can - Carpe Diem and all that.

Where are today's Memento Moris? Hard to find. All we've got are Ed Hardy's mall-worthy skull graphics (I've seen people wearing Ed Hardy with Crocs, enough said.) A depressing thought. Thankfully Mixed Species is up to the task. Here's their Pssttt did you HEAR t-shirt, available for men and women. Here's their description:

We are all going to die!

Here's our very own Face McSpecies showing off one of the many Mixed Species Research & Development Centers around the world.

Face made an interesting choice of shirts as well as he sports one of our newest tees. A nice small subtle almost whisper of a print delivers this dire warning. "Did you hear? we are all going to die"

Good times! Well, we Mixed Species guys have known this little fact for a while and live our lives to the fullest. You should too. Plus it's fun to freak the people out who take the time to read the small print on your shirt!

Check out Mixed Species' Etsy store, you will NOT be disappointed.

Flowers That Won't Fade

Sympathy flowers are always a beautiful gesture, but their inevitable death and decay is an unintentionally grim reminder of the loss from which we hope to distract. How about permanent flowers? Not plastic, not silk, but soft, touchable, handmade felt.

Pottery in the Round creates some lovely felted flowers, as well as vases and vessels.

Grief, Mourning, and Prayer Beads

Engino Weinert Prayer Beads from Marie Marie

Prayer beads are nearly universal, providing comfort and clarity in almost every faith. They're as old as religion itself, yet they continue to evolve - mediation beads, "purpose beads", even electronic prayer beads for your PDA. Although I've never owned prayer beads, I have always loved both their look and their intention. Whether they are vintage rosaries or simple meditation beads, I think that prayer beads lend themselves beautifully to remembrance.

Custom wrist mala bead deposit by compassionmalas


Seven Gifts by Prayer Bedes


Prayer Beads for Mourning and Grief by Kathleen A. Stewart

DIY Memorial Charm Bracelets

Could you define someone by a single memory? Nearly impossible. That's the beauty of charm bracelets - they allow for the plurality of remembrance, each charm a small yet significant moment in time. And you can load up as many as you want!

Etsy's Nostalgems offers "do-it-yourself" vintage-inspired charm bracelets. The pieces are themed, and can be expanded upon, adding your own momentos. Nostalgems also offers Dome Pendant Kits, which will hold your own precious pictures and transform them into unique jewelry. All you need is a pair of needlenose pliers. 

Flight of the Soul

I'm on a search for imagery that conveys the idea of passing lives that's neither musty nor morbid. Nothing against angels, but I feel that they've jumped the shark. And honestly, while I like the concept of angels, the image of pudgy, curly-haired babies with wings isn't exactly what I picture.

The one image that seems to keep coming up for me is that of a bird. According to mythology, birds have long been associated with the coming and going of spirits or souls (is it any coincidence that storks bring babies?) On a personal note, I have this secret hope that the people I've love and lost come back as birds to check up on me - sometimes when I see a bird lingering in a tree I think "Is that you, Nana?" It makes me happy to think of her that way : )

As I gather images that feel appropriate, I'll begin with birds as a new symbol. I love this simple bird shapes by Kuss, a contemporary jewelry designer. A bird pin for a more sophisticated woman,


hummingbird cufflinks for a gent,

and this adorable necklace for a younger woman. Something for everyone!

Memory Blankets

Perhaps I should call this blog the Modern Rememberer! One of my goals is to find a way to repurpose our clothing in a way that's meaningful and sentimental. Too often we just toss our old stuff in the Salvation Army Bin, only to find years later we wished we had held onto it. Although I'm focusing on items that belong to people no longer with us, I truly believe it should be applied all through life. A young mother can make memory blankets from her maternity clothes. A father can turn his old work flannels into a tarp, or even a play tent. My point is that there is so much sentimentality associated with clothing, it's a shame to throw them away.

On that note, Kiki from Etsy's Allthenumbers has found some great examples of repurposed outgrown baby's clothing. This block pattern blanket with bamboo batting and cotton (or chenille) backing by Silverforgefarm is super sweet - just look at the details! It's something a child will someday treasure, and even pass on to their own children down the road. Absolutely adorable!

Knit Brooches

Leah Sutton Knits has created some lovely brooch/corsages with a combination of knit and macrame, with a mixture of angora, wool, cashcotton and lurex. These are a wonderful alternative to a traditional corsage for two reasons - they will last forever, and they can also hold a small portrait to remember someone by. I also see these as precious little frames, a warm and cozy alternative to metal.



Leah Sutton Knits also takes custom orders through Etsy, so these beautiful brooches can be created in any color combo.

Although this last piece doesn't have much to do with remembering (unless you were raised in California in the 1970's like I was!) I just had to include this knit camper van!

Warm Feet

There are different tiers of clothing to be remembered. Some items are precious and will want to be kept intact. Others ... well, let's just say they end up in a bag destined for the Salvation Army. Yet there are repurposing options. One of my favorites is a twined rug, as seen here in Ety's jcarlo shop.


This is especially nice for those items that seem impossible to keep. From comforters to polyester clothing, the things that are challenging to storage space or to aesthetic sensibilities.

Repurposed Shirts

How ADORABLE are these dresses?



Repurposed clothing is wonderful on so many levels. It's eco-friendly, but when the clothing comes from someone meaningful it's even more special! Although I began this project searching for ways to transform the clothing of a lost loved one into something that can become part of our everyday lives, there's no reason to wait. Etsy shop Allthenumbers is the perfect place to give new life to old clothes.



Send Kiki from Allthenumbers a shirt out of your husband's closet, and she'll transform it into a one-of-a-kind. Business-appropriate attire becomes playground-friendly cuteness - just look at the cuffs! And the charming applique. Simply adorable.

Lap Top Covers!

Sometimes our best memories come from clothing. I remember a striped red, blue and white shirt my mother used to wear in the early 70's. I held onto it, but didn't know how to incorporate into my everyday life. Memory quilts are one option for lots of clothing, but if it's just a single item, or you prefer something other than a quilt, how about a laptop cover?


Beeyourselfdesigns of Etsy can create custom laptop covers from your material. There's also covers for cell phones, ipods, and even key fobs. A little fabric can go a long way.



What I like most about this idea is that you can use your own clothing - I have favorite jackets that I'll never wear again, but don't know what to do with them. This falls more into the category of heritage clothing. When it comes down to it, the primary philosophy of The Modern Mourner is recycling meaningful items into new objects for everyday use, and Beeyourselfdesigns is a perfect example.