Grief and loss
A 'Memory Harvest' Questionnaire to Give to Family Members
This directive provides a list of questions for a client to ask relatives to gather stories about a.
When your client’s memories of a lost loved one feel static or confined to their own relationship, they may wish for a fuller picture. Broaching the subject with other grieving family members can feel difficult or intrusive, leaving a rich source of collective memory just out of reach. This often stalls the process of reformulating a bond with the deceased.
This directive gives the client a specific, contained reason to connect with relatives for the purpose of story-gathering. It reframes the ask as a collaborative act of remembrance. The client returns with a collection of new anecdotes and varied perspectives, allowing them to construct a more complete, multi-dimensional narrative of the person they are mourning.
A 'Memory Harvest' Questionnaire to Give to Family Members
Give this list of questions to relatives and friends of the person who has died. You can provide them with a copy to fill out, or you can ask the questions in a conversation and write down their answers. Let them know they only need to answer the questions that speak to them. The purpose is to gather specific stories and details.
Memories of [Name of Deceased]
We are collecting stories to remember [Name]. Your memories will help create a fuller picture of their life. Please answer any of the following questions that you wish. Write as much or as little as you like.
What is one of your earliest memories of them?
Describe a time they made you laugh out loud. What happened?
What was a specific phrase, saying, or piece of advice they were known for?
What is a smell, food, or song that you strongly associate with them?
Describe something they were very skilled at or passionate about. How did you see this in their life?
What was a small, everyday habit or quirk they had?
Tell a story about a time they showed a specific quality, such as determination, kindness, or humor.
What is a favorite memory you have of a shared experience, like a trip, a holiday, or a simple conversation?
What was an object they owned that was important to them? What is the story behind it?
What is something you learned from them?
Is there a particular story about them that you think deserves to be passed on?
Describe a photograph of them that is meaningful to you. What is happening in the picture?
Is there anything else you would like to share?
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