You may want to do something special to acknowledge and honour the life of your family member or friend after they’ve died. Some people find this helps them cope with their loss.
Listen to our podcast on Caring for Someone in Their Last Months
 | Frame a photo or a cherished note or other memento. |
 | Cook their favourite meal or cake on their birthday. |
 | Plant a special tree or flower. |
 | Create a scholarship or annual award in their memory. |
 | Light a candle. |
 | Make a contribution to their preferred charity or community group. |
 | Create an online memorial page with photos and stories. |
Additional resources
Dr Megan Ritchie, Staff Specialist Palliative Medicine, Palliative Care Service, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; Gabrielle Asprey, Cancer Support Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Rosemary Cavanough, Consumer; Louise Durham, Nurse Practitioner, Metro South Palliative Care Service, QLD; Tracey Gardner, Senior Psychologist, Cancer Counselling Service, Cancer Council Queensland; Karen Hall, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Linda Nolte, Program Director, Advance Care Planning Australia, VIC; Rowena Robinson, Clinical Advisor, Palliative Care Australia, ACT; Helena Rodi, Program Manager, Advance Care Planning Australia, VIC.
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Read more about what grief may be like after someone has died with cancer
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Information for family and friends providing care to someone at any stage of cancer