"In Loving Memory" Car Window Decals

I have seen them too...Maybe they just feel that they need to do something to memoralize their loved one so no one else forgets about them. I just assume that maybe they have had a loss that I have not...Whatever makes them feel better...

I have a similar sticker in my back window. One of my best friends lost her husband 5 years ago to a heart attack ~ he was 34.
She had stickers made with his name and his # from dirt track racing and it says "hole shot to heaven". I have it on my car to show my support for my dear friend as does his family, her family and all their close friends.

The sister of one of my brothers friends (did you follow that? haha) who's brother was killed while on tour with my brother in Iraq has it on her car. I don't know her, but when I see her car I always cry. It reminds me to pray for our soliders at war protecting our freedoms. It reminds me of how many times my brother was almost killed and how blessed we are to have him.

I think it's just a nice memory and allows them to move on, and show respect.

That's my guess.

i wonder this too...........but love to read them and figure out their story/age and pray for the families. I think it is a great outreach for prayer.

To honor a loved one that has passed away. Everyone has their own way of doing so.

I have seen these many a time in my area. One time it was a little girl...I could tell by the birthdate and death date...it touched me and I went home and googled her name...her obituary came up...in leiu of flowers...please send donations to the American Cancer Society. Death is devasating to say the least...deal with it the best way you know how.

They loved someone, who died, so much that they couldn't bear to let them go, to have them totally gone from their life. So they put their name where they can see it and still have a little something of their loved one with them. My heart hurts for their loss when I see those memorials, or when I see crosses beside the road piled with flowers etc. Death is often cruel to those left behind...

Kind of a "mobile" cemetery marker, I guess.

Some people honor their family members who die in different ways. My cousin lost her baby after 7 days of life to Trisomy 18 and she has a tatoo of a hummingbird and Brilyn's name on her shoulder. Some people lose their loved ones to cancer and other illnesses too. Putting the decal on the car window is their way to honor that person who died and may be part of their healing process as well. It is a good way to remember the person for sure.

D. P.

Kitty:

I would think it is to memorialize those that they have lost. They won't be forgotten this way.

Someone may ask them about the sticker when they are out shopping - they can share a memory or a positive story...you never know!!!

I often wonder when I see these stickers (and likewise with memorials of flowers and balloons on the roadside), what happens when the sticker becomes worn? At what point do you replace it, or simply take it off? I have seen the stickers worn and peeling, missing letters, and that seems a little disrespectful - not unlike seeing a tattered American flag. I don't know. I understand the sentiment of wanting to remember a loved one who has passed away, but I wonder about the logistics of this method of memorial. I am curious to see the replies to this.

I like reading them and trying to figure out the story also. I think it is a nice way to say i really loved this person.

I think they do not want their loved one to be forgotten.

The crosses on the side of the road are generally to show their loved one was killed by a drunk driver. Sometimes the court will have that driver pay and actually place the memorial for the family if the family requests this.

I see that a lot here and mostly the ones I see the people have died very young. The only time I wanted to do this (which I wouldn't ever do it) was when my sister was tragically killed in a freak gun accident and left us all devastated. I wanted to constantly keep her memory alive. I always thought about doing that but I wouldn't. It's been about 4 years now and I'm feeling a lot better so I don't feel the need for that anymore.

At my son"s funeral, a good friend of his, had several made for our family members, to put on our vehicles, in memory of my son.

It has his name , birthdate, & death date on it, along with a picture of a skateboarder on it.

Whenever i see other vehicles with these decals on them, I always say a little prayer for the person.

My 25 month old daughter died 3 years ago in a bathtub drowning due to negligence. It is surreal to lose a child. She had a 5 year old brother at the time and he barely remembers her and has not openly spoken about her. I keep a decal on my car in honor of my daughter and as a gentle reminder to my son that his sister was here and that she will always be his sister. It is just personal preference.

In 2011, I lost my husband in March. Five months later, my youngest son who was 34, died in his room from a brain hemorrhage. Losing my husband from a long illness was expected, but waking up to the sudden death of my son is an unbearable heartache. Having a sign on my window is a way of keeping him alive and letting others know that he was here. People die every day, but we who are strangers to them, are not aware of their passing, nor do we care. My son died young and I want others to know he existed. It might also help others to love the people in their lives while they still have them.