By Johanna Mutz

"There are some who leave a light so bright, that when they are gone, the light remains."

For centuries, rainbows have symbolized beauty, hope, and connection. A unique phenomenon in nature, there is something almost otherworldly about a rainbow. They appear after the darkest storms and transform the sky into something unrecognizable, serving as a reminder of encouragement and hope in the middle of the dark and hard moments of life. 

So it is no wonder that rainbows hold huge meaning for those who have experienced loss of any type. For many years, our customers shared the meaning they assigned to rainbows. They feel like small and intentional nods from someone we love. When we see a rainbow, we feel a loved one near. Two years ago, Denise and I were inspired to set out to design a collection of Sun Catchers and Rainbow Makers that helped bring remembrance and support to anyone missing a loved one. 

Beyond the beautiful symbolism of the rainbow, memorial suncatchers and rainbow makers are meaningful bereavement gifts because they transform everyday light into gentle moments of remembrance. Research suggests that natural daylight is associated with improved emotional subjective wellbeing, and prisms disperse that light into rainbows, creating a comforting visual ritual that supports ongoing connection to a loved one.

If you are choosing a sympathy gift that feels modern, personal, and lasting, suncatchers offer a thoughtful alternative to flowers. They integrate into daily life, work with many styles and beliefs, and can be personalized for a specific relationship. This guide highlights why light-based memorial gifts resonate, the best styles for different situations, and practical tips for choosing, gifting, and caring for a suncatcher. Wherever you are in grief, or however you are supporting a friend, use these ideas as gentle guidance.

• Daily light can lift mood, and prisms turn that light into comforting rainbows that support everyday remembrance. Research demonstrates this positive association between daylight and emotional wellbeing.
• Suncatchers are long lasting and low maintenance, so they can accompany the bereaved through multiple life stages without feeling overwhelming (Memorials.com, 2026)

I don’t know about you, but as a Floridian, I find that sunlight has a huge impact on my mood. I lived in cold weather climates for ten years, and let me tell you, I noticed a big difference in my moods during the winter months.  

It’s not suprising then that light-based remembrance is similarly as powerful in remembering a loved one. Not only does light shows up gently and naturally in daily life, exposure to natural daylight is positively associated with emotional subjective wellbeing, which helps explain why a moving beam of color can feel soothing on a difficult day. When sunlight passes through a crystal, dispersion splits white light into a rainbow, creating small, shifting moments of beauty.

Suncatchers also align with the continuing bonds framework, which recognizes that sustaining a meaningful connection to the deceased supports coping and adaptation. A suncatcher offers a daily hello that feels present yet not heavy. Many people interpret rainbows as signs of hope and reassurance, a perspective shared by funeral professionals and communities reflecting on loss.

Unlike flowers or edible baskets that fade quickly, suncatchers are lasting, low maintenance tributes that integrate quietly into windows or remembrance corners (Memorials.com, 2026). As more memorial practices move online and into modern formats, interest in enduring, symbolic items continues to grow, with adjacent memorial sectors also expanding at a steady rate.

Personalization can help a memorial gift feel precisely attuned to a person and their story. The personalized gifting market reflects this shift.

Options for personalized memorial suncatchers include:

• Laurelbox’s Custom Memorial Sun Catcher: Designed as a keepsake that creates rainbows while honoring a loved one. Each sun catcher includes complimentary engraving of a loved one’s name. See laurelbox’s Custom Memorial Sun Catcher.

• Laurelbox’s Birthstone Sun Catcher: A beautiful way to honor a life that will always be remembered. The first birthstone represents the month they were born and the beginning of their story. The final birthstone represents the month they passed, honoring the day they were deeply missed. Between them, sun catcher crystals catch the sunlight and reflect rainbows to symbolize the life they lived. See laurelbox's Birthstone Sun Catcher.

• Engraved crystals from retailers: Many retailers highlight engraving names, messages, and dates alongside colorful crystals for a deeply personal touch. Explore engraved memorial suncatchers at PersonalizationMall.

• Artisan Hidden Message designs: For private grief, an artisan’s Hidden Message design tucks subtle words into each strand so meaning can remain intimate. View Hidden Message memorial crystal suncatcher on Etsy.

• Pet Memorial Sun Catcher and Rainbow Maker: Celebrate the memory of a beloved pet with a Pet Memorial Sun Catcher and Rainbow Maker. Designed as a meaningful pet loss gift and memorial keepsake, this personalized sun catcher creates dazzling rainbows that serve as a comforting reminder of your furry friend. See laurelbox's Pet Memorial Sun Catcher and Rainbow Maker.

Close family or long-time friends often appreciate engravings that feature the loved one’s name. If the loss is recent or the relationship is complex, a simpler, non-figurative crystal can offer comfort without pressure while still honoring their loved one.

Nature motifs resonate with many mourners and appear across memorial suncatcher collections, including pieces suitable for home or garden spaces (OTR Memorials). Families often choose butterflies, birds, dragonflies, or botanical themes to echo qualities they associate with their person, such as transformation, presence, or resilience.

Because symbolism varies by culture and individual belief, choose motifs that reflect the recipient’s preferences. If they love gardening or spend time birdwatching, a floral or bird piece can feel especially thoughtful. If their home style is modern, consider a subtle botanical outline or a crystal accented with leaf-like shapes rather than a literal figurine.

If your recipient prefers clean, non-figurative design, a simple faceted crystal is ideal. When sunlight enters a prism or crystal, dispersion splits it into a spectrum, creating small rainbows and shimmering light that feels meaningful without reading as overtly decorative. Public-facing education describes this as a dazzling rainbow effect, which captures the sense of wonder that is felt around sun catchers (Instagram, 2025).

You can keep it minimalist or add personalization. Some designs incorporate names or dates while retaining a modern silhouette. For recipients sensitive to overt symbolism, these pieces offer comfort through light and color rather than figures or text.

Sun catchers are also special for anyone looking for a pet remembrance piece. Many pets have a special sunny spot in the home, and a sun catcher can fill that space with rainbows in their absense. Laurelbox’s Pet Memorial Sun Catcher and Rainbow Maker is a special memorial piece and the pet’s name is engraved complimentary. One reviewer shared that it helps keep a loved one’s memory present during family time and quiet morning coffee.

Common styles include paw prints, pet silhouettes, and Rainbow Bridge themes. When gifting for pet loss, consider tone and timing. A simple crystal with a small paw charm can be gentle soon after loss, while an engraved name or silhouette might feel appropriate later, when the family is ready to display a more specific tribute.

Relationship and timing matter. Highly personalized gifts often suit bonds that are exceptionally close, like a spouse, partner, parent, or best friend, because they directly honor a unique relationship.

Consider these recommendations based on the relationship:

• Child or Infant: Gentle motifs (such as butterflies or stars) and soft color palettes are often preferred.
• Spouse or Partner: Symbolic infinity signs or a custom message can affirm enduring love.
• Friends or Extended Family: A non-figurative crystal or a small personalized touch is recommended to avoid presuming religious or cultural meanings.

We love our new Look for Me in Rainbows decal set for a child who has lost a loved one. The decals are warm and inviting, designed for a child to put in their bedroom or other sunny room. For every set sold, we donate $5 to Eluna to support their work in caring for grieving children and families.

Outdoor remembrance is growing alongside indoor memorials, with garden art suncatchers and wind chimes offering reflective spaces beyond the home’s interior. If your recipient loves to garden, an outdoor piece placed near a favorite plant can create a tender ritual. 

Look for designs described as weather conscious, and pair them with covered placements such as pergolas or shepherd’s hooks to reduce exposure. Some families combine a light catcher with wind chimes for a gentle multi-sensory experience. We love our new Custom Sympathy Wind Chime and Sun Catcher which combines both beautiful sound and sun catcher crystals. Solar accents or mirrored elements may add glimmer at dusk, though specifics vary by maker.

Start with the recipient’s aesthetic and space. Suncatchers are physically small, visually light, and easy to integrate, which matters in apartments, shared homes, or minimalist interiors. Laurelbox’s styles are designed to slip into a window without overwhelming the room.

Match symbolism to beliefs. If you are unsure about religious imagery, choose a non-figurative crystal or a nature motif. For milestones like first anniversaries, personalization can feel especially meaningful. You can think in tiers: simple prism for early days, engraved name or date for later tributes. 

Placement matters. East or west windows often catch moving light, but any bright spot can work. Encourage the recipient to try different locations over time until the rainbows feel right for their routine.

The intention is to convey compassion and solidarity. Bereavement gift guidance emphasizes emotional support and remembrance over formality. For someone who prefers privacy, a Hidden Message suncatcher allows deeply personal words to stay close without being on display.

Packaging and notes can be simple and tender. Ideas include a suede envelope, a small note explaining how to hang the piece, and a short message such as, “Holding you in light and love. May these rainbows bring gentle moments of your person into each day.” If shipping directly, look for sellers like laurelbox that offer a gift message and careful packing. When hand-delivering, consider including a removable hook or clear suction cup so they can hang it when they are ready.

Suncatchers are intentionally low maintenance. Occasional dusting or gentle cleaning is generally enough to keep them sparkling, which is helpful when energy is limited in grief. Quality optical glass or crystal is durable and can move with the family from one home to another over time.

Placement tips are simple. Try a bright window that sees a few hours of direct or strong indirect light. If the light shifts seasonally, move the piece to a different pane. For engraved or delicate elements, use a soft cloth and avoid abrasive cleaners. If a window is not ideal, some families hang a suncatcher near a remembrance shelf where candles or lamps create a gentle glow.

• When is it appropriate to give a memorial suncatcher? They are fitting for immediate sympathy and for milestones such as the first anniversary of a loss.
• Are suncatchers suitable for all faiths and beliefs? Yes. They are special for both secular and faith based homes (Remembering A Life).
• How long do memorial suncatchers last? With quality glass or crystal and occasional gentle cleaning, they are durable keepsakes designed to accompany the bereaved through multiple life stages.
• Can I send a suncatcher directly to someone grieving? Many retailers like laurelbox offer gift notes and careful packaging. If you are unsure about timing, consider asking a close contact or sending to yourself to deliver when the recipient feels ready.
• What if they do not have good window light? Suncatchers are easy to move from window to window. They can also rest near remembrance shelves where candles or lamps create a visual link to the person being honored.

Note: Memorial gifts can offer comfort, but they are not a substitute for professional grief counseling. If you or a loved one needs more support, please seek help from a licensed counselor or a local grief organization.

Light meets memory in a way that feels both gentle and enduring. Suncatchers create small, steady moments of beauty that align with how many people process grief over time. They integrate into daily routines, support continuing bonds, and can be personalized for a relationship or milestone. Evidence around natural light and wellbeing helps explain why a few quiet rainbows can make a difference on a hard morning.

If you are ready to choose a piece, explore delicate options like laurelbox’s Custom Memorial Sun Catcher for personal tributes or their Pet Memorial Sun Catcher and Rainbow Maker for beloved animals. Select what feels right today, knowing you or your recipient can move it, rehang it, and let the light meet you where you are.