8 Ways to Honor a Loved One During National Great Outdoors Month
June is National Great Outdoors Month in the United States, a time dedicated to celebrating the beauty and benefits of nature. It’s a month that encourages people to explore parks, hike trails, and reconnect with the natural world.
For those grieving the loss of a loved one, this time of reflection and natural immersion can also offer a meaningful opportunity to honor their memory. Whether your loved one was a dedicated hiker, a casual nature lover, or someone who simply enjoyed the sunshine on their face, the great outdoors provides a powerful space for remembrance and healing.
Here are several heartfelt and creative ways to honor someone who has passed during National Great Outdoors Month:
- Plan a Memorial Hike or Walk
One of the most direct ways to honor a loved one is by walking in their memory. Choose a trail or path they enjoyed or would have loved and invite close friends and family to join. You can make this a quiet, reflective walk or add meaningful elements, like sharing memories at scenic stops, reading a favorite poem, or playing a song they loved.
For those who may be more spiritual, this walk can be a kind of pilgrimage—an intentional journey that connects physical movement with emotional healing.
- Create a Natural Memorial Spot
If you have access to private land or a space where permanent installations are allowed, consider creating a small outdoor memorial. This could be as simple as a dedicated bench, a planted tree, or a rock cairn. If public land is involved, be sure to check local regulations. Many parks offer tree dedication programs or allow engraved bricks or plaques as part of restoration or fundraising efforts.
A natural memorial becomes a place to return to year after year, a grounding spot where you can feel close to your loved one while surrounded by nature’s peace.
- Plant Something in Their Name
Gardens are symbols of life, growth, and renewal. Whether it’s a backyard tree, a community garden plot, or a pot of wildflowers on a windowsill, planting something in your loved one’s memory is a living tribute. Choose plants that remind you of them. It could daisies for someone cheerful, a sturdy oak for someone dependable, or native wildflowers to reflect their love of the local ecosystem.
Involving others in the planting process can turn the experience into a meaningful group ritual that bonds friends and family while honoring the one you’ve lost.
- Host a “Day in Nature” Remembrance Gathering
Sometimes, the most healing experiences come from being in good company in a beautiful setting. Organize a small outdoor picnic, canoe trip, bird-watching session, or stargazing night in honor of your loved one. Ask attendees to bring a story, memento, or even a favorite food that reminds them of the person.
You might also incorporate creative elements like a group art project using natural materials, writing messages on biodegradable paper to float downstream, or assembling a photo album with outdoor snapshots of your loved one.
- Volunteer for an Environmental Cause They Cared About
If your loved one was passionate about the environment, wildlife, or conservation, giving back in their name can be a powerful tribute. Many organizations host cleanups, trail maintenance days, tree plantings, or educational events in June.
Consider gathering a group to participate in one of these efforts, wearing matching shirts or pins that honor your loved one. Even if they weren’t particularly eco-conscious, the act of service, especially in a setting that promotes growth and sustainability, can be a meaningful way to channel your grief into positive action.
- Create a Memory Journal in Nature
Journaling is a time-honored method of processing grief. Take your journal into nature, whether that’s a park, your backyard, or a favorite lake. You can use the quiet surroundings to write letters to your loved one, capture memories, or simply reflect. You can even collect natural elements like leaves or pressed flowers to include alongside your words.
Over time, this journal can become a cherished keepsake and a personal record of your emotional journey.
- Participate in a Charity Walk or Fundraiser
National Great Outdoors Month often coincides with various charity walks, runs, or bike rides. Participating in one of these events in your loved one’s name, especially one that supports causes that were important to them, can offer both purpose and healing. It also gives others a chance to support you and share in your remembrance.
Create a team, design custom shirts, or set up a fundraiser with a brief biography explaining who you’re walking for and why. Sharing their story with others can keep their memory alive and inspire others to remember those they’ve lost.
- Embrace Moments of Solitude in Nature
Sometimes, the best way to honor a loved one is through quiet presence. Spending time alone in nature, like sitting beside a stream, watching a sunset, or walking through a forest, can create space for connection, reflection, and release. Letting yourself feel the breeze, hear the birds, and see the sky can be a reminder that your loved one’s essence still exists in the world around you.
Grief doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful. Nature has a way of holding space for even our most silent sorrows.
National Great Outdoors Month offers a beautiful and restorative backdrop for honoring those we’ve lost. Whether through movement, creation, remembrance, or service, nature reminds us that life, though fleeting, is deeply interconnected. Your loved one may be gone, but their spirit can still walk with you—through forest paths, mountain breezes, blooming gardens, and every quiet corner of the world they once loved.
Do you have questions about how to honor family members who’ve passed or how to create memorial services? Be sure to visit our website or call us for more information at 215-927-5800.
