Protecting the Past: What to Do with Your Parents’ and Grandparents’ Belongings After They’re Gone
When someone we love passes away, their home feels still, like time has paused. The rooms fill with memories, holding treasures like old photos, letters, and furniture. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all these belongings. Yet, each item can keep family memories alive. Here are five meaningful ways to honor your parents’ and grandparents’ legacies while ensuring their stories endure.
1. Digitizing Photos, Slides, and Home Movies
Many families discover a treasure trove of memories in old photo albums, slides, or film reels. Digitizing these fragile items makes them accessible to everyone and protects them from fading or being lost.
For example, the Andersons in Atlanta, GA, inherited an attic full of old photos and film reels. Marie Anderson found beautiful images of her parents’ lives in the 1950s and her grandparents’ wedding. With the help of a photo-scanning service like ScanMyPhotos.com, she digitized everything. Now, Marie has created online albums to share with family members. She posted the best nostalgia to her favorite photo-sharing apps. Now, they all can enjoy this digital archive, even living far apart.
2. Creating Family Memory Books
Turning photos and personal stories into a memory book or family album captures a loved one’s essence beautifully. Curating memories in a bound book allows future generations to explore their heritage. One of our favorite photo album companies is Mixbook!
Sarah Davis from Seattle, WA, discovered her grandmother’s extensive photo collection from the early 1900s. Sarah selected key images and added personal anecdotes from her grandmother. After scanning, she designed a memory book and printed copies for each family member. This created a treasured legacy that connects their family across generations.
3. Repurposing Furniture and Household Items
Sometimes, a piece of furniture or a favorite item brings back cherished memories. Instead of storing these items away or giving them up, consider incorporating them into your home.
The Garcias in Chicago, IL, faced this choice when they inherited their grandparents’ beloved desk. It was a beautiful but bulky piece. Rather than part with it, they decided to refinish the wood to match their decor. Now, it serves as a daily reminder of their grandfather and has found a new purpose in their home.
4. Donating or Selling Collectibles and Heirlooms
Some family members may discover collectibles or antiques they cannot keep that others would cherish. Donating or selling these items helps pass them along to those who appreciate their history or raise funds for a cause your loved one cares about.
The Li family from San Francisco, CA, faced this decision with their father’s collection of antique toys. John Li knew these toys were unique but couldn’t keep everything. He contacted a local children’s museum and arranged to donate them in his father’s name. The toys are part of an exhibit honoring his dad’s memory. John finds comfort in knowing his father’s cherished items still bring joy to others.
5. Recording Stories and Memories
Objects hold more meaning when they come with stories. Capturing family members’ memories about heirlooms adds depth to your family history. A simple voice recording or video interview can preserve a family legacy for future generations.
The Thompson family in Dallas, TX, realized this after their grandmother passed. They discovered that her belongings—like her Irish locket and a book from her father—each had meaningful stories attached. The Thompsons recorded their grandmother sharing these stories before she passed away. Now, they play these recordings during family gatherings, keeping her voice and stories alive for the next generation.
Keep Loved Ones Close
These steps are more than just tasks on a checklist. They help keep loved ones close, celebrate a lifetime of memories, and honor their legacies in ways that resonate with future generations. Whether digitizing an album, creating a memory book, or simply listening to stories about heirlooms, these small actions carry the past forward. They ensure that the lives of those we love continue to shape our own.
Call to Action: Are you ready to preserve your family memories? Start digitizing your photos and treasures with ScanMyPhotos.com today! Visit our blog for more tips on keeping your family history alive.
