Their Story Matters: A Place to Start Remembering

THE PLACING STONES JOURNAL

THEIR STORY MATTERS: A PLACE TO START REMEMBERING

When someone we love is gone, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin preserving their memory. What should we include? How do we capture a lifetime in words, images, and keepsakes?

That’s why we created Their Story Matters, a gentle guide to help you start collecting the memories, details, and treasures that made their life special. It doesn’t have to be perfect or complete—just heartfelt and honest. Think of it as a living tribute, something you can build and revisit over time.

Start with whatever feels most meaningful. A favorite photo. A story that always makes you smile. A sound that instantly brings them back. These small beginnings are the seeds of a lasting legacy. Below is a list of the sections offered and some questions that will help you organize your shoebox.

GATHERING THE STONES

BASIC INFORMATION
■ Choose a favorite photo
■ Write a biography or life summary

ACCOMPLISHMENTS / Their legacy includes what they did and who they were.
■ What are some things they were proud of—big or small?
■ What milestones, quiet victories, or choices reflected their values?
■ Tell a story that speaks to their roots, heritage, or family traditions

PHOTO GALLERY / Let their life unfold through pictures, moments of joy, love, change, and growth.

■ What photos show them doing something I love?

■ Which images make you smile, laugh, or feel proud?

■ Are there pictures from childhood, family gatherings, work, travel, or quiet moments that tell part of their story?

SOUND GALLERY / Sometimes a few spoken words carry more meaning than a thousand pictures.

■ Gather Sound clips of their voice and/or saved voicemails.

■ Loved ones using a sound clip to tell a story or share a memory.

VIDEO COLLECTIONS / Their voice, smile, energy—captured for others to see and remember.

■ Gather clips of them speaking, celebrating, traveling, or doing what they loved

ARTWORK & TREASURES / Visually share the meaningful objects, images, and creations that help tell their story.

■ Artwork, crafts, or creative projects

■ Collections to preserve

■ Keepsakes, postcards, letters, ticket stubs, or souvenirs that hold stories or memories

RECIPES / The flavors of memory, meals made with love.

■ Have a word document ready that lists recipes with title, ingredients and instructions that you can cut and paste into your digital shoebox

■ What recipes were part of their story?

■ Was there a dish everyone asked them to make?

■ Are there food traditions they loved and passed down?

FAVORITES LISTS / Sometimes, the most vivid memories aren’t captured in photos or videos—they live in the things they loved.

■ Make lists of their favorite books, songs, movies, foods, places, or traditions

MEMORY WALL / Create a space where others can share their memories.

■ Who do I want to invite to share a memory?

■ Gather names and emails to include.

This story, however you begin it, is a gift. Their life was full of meaning: moments and memories that deserve to be remembered. Let this be a gift to those who loved them, and to future generations who will come to know them through these stories. Sometimes, the smallest details become the most treasured.

Start Your Story with Placing Stones