A new way to remember loved ones

Memorial pins help to symbolize grieving and keep loved ones close.
By TRACEY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Years ago, a person in mourning displayed outward signs. A widow would wear black, for example, or a family member would don a black armband.
These traditional symbols have fallen by the wayside, and now those dealing with the loss of a loved one have virtually no way to express their grief after the funeral is over.
As a way to help them through their time of sorrow, Silvia Lechowick of Geneva created the memorial pin. It's a small but visible sign of grief that a mourner can wear, and others can understand.
Lechowick recounts the story of a woman whose husband died, which she says was her inspiration to create the memorial pin.
"People close to her could not understand why she did not get on with her life soon after, and didn't realize she was still in mourning and couldn't get over her grief," said Lechowick.
Lechowick said the display of symbols of grief has fallen out of practice but it is still necessary. The memorial pin, she said, is a return to that concept.
Outward expression
Grieving people do not always know how to express their grief verbally, and do not always want to, she said, but an outwardly visible symbol can alert people to the fact that a person is grieving.
"Modern America doesn't accept grieving like we used to," said Lechowick. "People used to know when others were grieving. The pin helps one establish their own period of mourning ... a period that is not dictated by modern social standards."
How and what
The pin is approximately 5/8ths of an inch by 7/8ths of an inch, with a silver band in the middle flanked by black enamel bands on the top and bottom. It fastens in a stick pin manner and can be worn on a hat or lapel, and engraved with initials if desired.
"Some people have told me they wear the pin not only to let others know they are grieving, but also because it helps them feel as if their [deceased] loved one is near to them," explained Lechowick.
Lechowick has started Memorialpin Inc., a non-profit company based in Geneva, to sell the pins. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the pins is donated to charitable organizations such as the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society or whatever charity the buyer specifies.
The pins, available in sterling silver or base metal, range in price from $10 to $25 with an additional fee for engraving.
For more information or to order, call (440) 466-7691 or go to www.memorialpin.org.