There are days in the year that hold more weight than others. Days where love and memory feel especially tender. For many, Mother’s Day is one of those.
Since my own mom passed, I’ve come to experience this day with new eyes. It’s no longer just flowers and breakfast in bed—it’s a pause, a breath, a space where I let myself feel everything she fue, everything she still is to me.
And I know I’m not alone in this.
In these past months, I’ve received messages from families who chose Mother’s Day as the moment to scatter ashes, to bury an urn, or to come together in her favorite garden or beach. They didn’t choose it because it was easy—they chose it because it meant something. Because even in their grief, they wanted this day to be about honoring, not just missing.
Why This Day Matters
Mother’s Day carries so much emotion—especially for those of us who are mourning. It’s a day that can feel tender, raw, even overwhelming. But it can also be a beautiful invitation to remember, to celebrate, to create something meaningful from the love that remains.
I believe there’s power in intentionally choosing this day to release, to connect, to say a few words, or simply to be in silence and feel close again.
Whether you are saying goodbye for the first time or continuing a ritual of remembrance, Mother’s Day can hold that space.
Ideas for a Heartfelt Ceremony
Every ceremony is personal, and you don’t need anything grand. Sometimes, it’s the quietest gestures that carry the most meaning.
Here are a few ideas to create your own farewell or remembrance on Mother’s Day:
1. A Flower Ritual
Scatter petals in the ocean, over the burial site, or in a place she loved. Let each one carry a memory, a message, a thank you.
2. Planting in Her Honor
With our Pachamama Honoring Kit, you can bury a biodegradable urn and plant wildflowers above it—creating a living garden that blossoms year after year.
3. A Circle of Stories
Invite family or friends to share a story about her. It doesn’t need to be formal—just a space where laughter and tears are both welcome.
4. Light a Candle, Write a Letter
Take a quiet moment. Light a candle. Write her a note. Tell her what’s changed, what hasn’t. What you miss, what you’re grateful for.
5. Create a Small Altar Outdoors
Bring something that reminds you of her—a photo, a scarf, a favorite flower—and place it under a tree or by the water. A simple, sacred space for connection.
For Those Who Are Mothers, Grieving
I also want to hold space for the mothers who are grieving their own children. Mother’s Day is often especially painful when your arms feel empty. I see you.
If you choose to honor your child with a ceremony that day, know that every tear, every breath, every whisper into the wind is sacred.
There Is No Right Way, Only Your Way
Whether you feel ready to hold a ceremony this Mother’s Day or simply want to rest in quiet remembrance, trust that your way is enough. There is no perfect ritual, no correct version of goodbye. There is only what feels right for your heart.
At Pachamama, we believe in honoring with intention, in creating space for the sacred in simple, natural ways. If this day finds you missing someone deeply, I hope you also feel surrounded by their love—in the trees, in the flowers, in the stillness.
May this Mother’s Day be a soft place to land. A moment to remember. A reminder that the bond continues, even as it changes.
With love and presence,
Virginia