Keeping Traditions: Memorial Cookbooks

We all leave our own legacy when we pass away. We are all remembered by family and friends for our connections with them, and the things that made us unique. Whether it’s Grandpa’s jokes or Grandma’s cooking; each one of your loved ones left a legacy behind them. How do we memorialize that legacy? How do we keep all of the love and the memories alive? When a family member who was known as a fantastic and loving cook passes, it is not uncommon for family members to gather their recipes into a cookbook. 

Gathering Recipes

Transcribing recipes off of old index cards, or out of dogeared cookbooks can be a nice activity to do with family. Reading over aged, sauce-splashed recipe cards written in their handwriting can be a great way to feel close to them. Spend the day remembering all the good times with your loved one, and home-cooked meals they would make with love. 

Trying to Recreate Them

It can be a fun activity to work with your family to recreate your loved one’s best dishes. You may not be able to make them exactly the same, but you can make memories with your family, and have a delicious meal together at the end of it.

Crafting a Cookbook

In the past, families might put together a scrapbook-like cookbook out of a loved one’s recipe cards, along with pictures of them. Many families still do this, but the internet allows you to create a cookbook by uploading pictures and recipes to the web; and have one sent to you. You can even make copies for the whole family this way. 

Recreating Holiday Meals

Holidays are often where the loss of a family member hits the hardest. What is Christmas without Grandma’s cooking? By compiling your loved one’s recipes, you can keep their spirit, as well as family traditions, alive in their recipes. 

For almost 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.