Memorial candles are a special way to honor a loved one after they have passed. Whether you light the candle once a year or burn it frequently, personalized memorial candles can bring comfort and a sense of connection to someone grieving a loved one. Once memorial candles have been burned, there are a number of ways to repurpose the jars while still honoring a loved one’s memory.  This blog will discuss creative ways to repurpose laurelbox memorial candles.

Earlier this month on the blog, we discussed one small meaningful way to honor a loved one’s life could be the simple act of lighting a personalized memorial candle. There is something unique about striking a match, seeing the wick catch fire, and watching the flame flicker. In that moment, their memory seems just a bit closer, their presence can be felt in a stronger way. Set aside a few minutes while the memorial candle burns to reflect on their life, their impact on you, and how you can keep their memory alive going forward. Laurelbox offers over 20 beautiful keepsake candles, most of which could be personalized. I remember after we lost our second son Cooper at full term in 2016, laurelbox co-founder (and dear friend!) Johanna sent me a birthday candle ahead of the one year anniversary of his passing. It was such a thoughtful way to acknowledge our loss and his short but important life on this side of heaven. I brought the candle with us to Florida as we approached his birthday and planned to visit his grave with our young son. Lighting the laurelbox birthday candle and sprinkling “Glisten Where They Rest” glitter on Cooper’s memorial plaque was a bittersweet moment that was part of our healing journey. 

I don’t know about you but I have a problem throwing stuff away, giving stuff away or even selling it on Facebook Marketplace. As a way to justify it, I will say my mom was (is?) the same way. It’s genetics… or so I tell my husband. Instead of “hoarder” I prefer the term “keeper.” I am a keeper of old yearbooks, elementary school letters and that senior AP English paper on Silas Marner with an “A+” grade at the top. I have a dress-up bin that includes hilarious thrift store costumes I donned in high school and college that I’m sure my daughters will eventually “need” and be SO grateful I kept. Until recently when my best friend forced me to throw them away, I had a pair of snakeskin heels I purchased 20 years ago that I was keeping for sentimental reasons. I’m a sucker for nostalgia and memories. If I’m that attached to a pair of dated shoes, I’m clearly not going to be able to just throw a beautiful memorial candle that has completely burned down into the trash! I can’t be the only one, right? Anyone? Well, worry not because those jars can be repurposed in a variety of ways. Some of the ideas I offer incorporate the loved one’s memory and some are just practical ways to recycle the jars around your home. So even if you aren’t a hoarder *cough* I mean keeper like me, you can still appreciate *keeping* the jar out of your nearby landfill! 

If you get to the end of your candle and want to repurpose the jar, first you need to clean out any old wax. One way to do this is freeze the jar and then carefully chip out the old wax. Another option is to place the container in warm or hot water and once the wax has melted, pour it out and wipe down the jar. Now, you are ready to get started on creating new memories with your loved one in mind with your old candle. 

Photo Jar - Choose some photos of your loved one and transfer them onto the jar. This video shows you how with some basic craft items like Modge Podge. 

Memory Jar - Write down different memories of your loved one and place them inside the jar. Whenever you are missing them acutely, read through the memories. 

Favorite Things Jar - Find small trinkets, keepsakes and other items that remind you of your loved one. If I was making a jar in honor of my maternal grandmother, I would include lucky buckeyes, Steak n Shake coupons and newspaper clippings in her jar. 

If you prefer the practical day-to-day reuse of your keepsake candle, here are some ideas. 

Plant Jar - The containers are the perfect size for small succulents or herbs. Keep in mind drainage could be an issue with glass jars so succulents might work best. 

Desk or Craft Supplies - Whether you want to put your pens and pencils into it, crafting beads or even paintbrushes, there are plenty of items around your house that need corralling. 

Pantry Storage - Look around your kitchen and I bet you’ll find the perfect items that need storing. We’ve been drinking Liquid IV packets in our water and I can imagine they’d easily sit in these jars. 

Bathroom or Vanity Items - Q-Tips, cotton balls or toothbrushes… all would live nicely in a jar (just maybe not together!)

Don’t forget another option for reusing your memorial candle is to refill it! With our candle refill kits, our custom memorial keepsake candles can be refilled again and again, making it possible to continually let the light of your loved one shine! Simply burn your custom memorial candle, remove the wick clip, and follow the directions on the refill kit. You can even choose which scent you’d like to replace it with. Each kit includes 10 ounces of 100% all-natural soy wax. Made exclusively for laurelbox in small hand poured batches, the eco-friendly refill kit provides you with the comfort of a clean burn. It contains no additives or dyes, is made from the finest premium grade essential and fragrance oils, and features a wick made with all-natural ring-spun cotton that contains no lead, zinc, or any other metals.

We hope this blog was helpful in suggesting creative ways for you to repurpose memorial candles after they have been used. One option is to repurpose the jar to incorporate memories, photos or beloved items that remind you of your loved one. An alternative is to clean the jar and recycle it for storage containers around the house or to hold succulents or small herbs. A final option would be to order a refill kit from Laurelbox and continue burning the candle in memory of your loved one. However you choose to reuse your custom memorial candle, we hope it brings you joy and peace.