There was an article in our local paper (May, '02) about making a small, personal "memorial garden" to deceased loved ones in your own backyard.

I'd suggest using some of the flowers of the month. Those months that have a special meaning in relation to a loved one, be it their birth month or month died. Some people have planted a special tree or made a small pond and you can add any momentos that have meaning to you.

In case you don't remember the flower of the month, here they are:

January -- carnation or snowdrop
February -- violet or primrose
March -- daffodil or four-leaf clover

April -- daisy
May -- lily of the valley
June -- rose

July -- larkspur, water lily or sweet pea
August -- gladiolus
September -- aster

October -- calendula or dahila
November -- chrysanthemum
December -- holly or poinsetta

Here's the meaning of colors:

White -- purity, love
Yellow -- intellect, optimism, good humor, wisdom
Orange -- joy, confidence, independence, sociableness
Purple -- intuition, idealism, self-sacrifice, inspriration, kindness, spirituality
Green -- generosity, humility, compassion
Red -- passion, courage, spontaneity, strength, love
Blue -- loyalty, affection, tranquility, patience

Thanks to Pat Fabri for developing and updating this page.

In Memory of Edgar B. ("Boots") Tiemann
1st Army, 3rd Battalion 16th Infantry, CO L, The Big Red One
Wounded Battle of Hurtgen Forest 11/23/44; KIA, Tanne, Germany 4/17/45