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We love finding unique products that help people honor their deceased loved ones. If you are grieving a family member or friend and will soon be graduating, we have ideas on ways to personalize your graduation cap so that it honors the deceased.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- What’s a Memorial Graduation Cap?
- Memorial Graduation Cap Design Ideas
- Memorial Graduation Cap Message or Quote Ideas
- How Can You Personalize Your Memorial Graduation Cap?
- DIY Memorial Graduation Cap
This project could certainly be a DIY memorial item, but we have also found online retailers who can help you with the undertaking. Whether you design the cap yourself or hire someone to do it for you, recognizing your deceased loved one on your graduation day may give you comfort.
What’s a Memorial Graduation Cap?
Before we discuss design and quote ideas for your memorial graduation cap, we would like to describe this unique memorial project – since you may not have seen anything like it before.
At some point, it became popular for students to decorate the top of their graduation caps with images or words. Some use the opportunity to offer comedic relief, such as a cap that says “My $105,000 Hat.” Others use their cap as an opportunity to deliver a poignant quote, such as a cap that says, “Every end is a new beginning.” Still, other graduates thank their parents on their graduation caps.
A memorial graduation cap honors someone who died. Perhaps you wish to honor a deceased parent, grandparent, or sibling. Maybe you would like to remember a classmate who passed before they could graduate. Some students might use their graduation caps to honor a teacher or staff member who passed.
As you consider this project, we would like to offer two thoughts. First, before you alter your graduation cap in any way, make sure this practice is allowed by the school. Many high schools have banned the practice because it is considered distracting or may take away from the solemnity of the occasion.
Also, as you look for ideas online, you may find additional resources if you search using the word “mortarboard.” The term “mortarboard” originally described a small (usually square) board with a handle on the underside, used by a bricklayer or plasterer. However, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term began being used as slang for an academic cap around 1854. So while the term is still used, it may not be as popular as it once was.
Now, let’s dive into design ideas for your memorial graduation cap.
Memorial Graduation Cap Design Ideas
If your academic institution doesn’t allow students to customize their caps, you might consider purchasing an extra one to decorate. Then, use the decorated one in photos, at your graduation party, or to display.
Remember, there are other ways to honor someone who died on your special day. For example, consider displaying or posting a photo of you and your loved one during a happy time or pause during your celebration to share a memory of the deceased.
Here are some memorial mortar board design ideas.
1. Angel wings
If you want the purpose of your graduation cap to be evident for all of those attending, consider using angel wings in the design. People at the back of the stadium may not be able to read the text on your graduation cap, but they may understand that you are honoring a deceased loved one when they see the wings.
2. Photos
Many memorial graduation caps feature photographs.
3. Photo tassels
One more subtle way to honor a deceased loved one is to order a memorial photo tassel. These can hang next to a standard tassel and feature a small photo of a family member or friend.
4. Text
The flat part of a graduation cap is about 10 inches x 10 inches. This doesn’t leave that much room for a decorative message – especially if you want the text to be big enough for attendees to see.
You may decorate your cap with a simple message such as “in loving memory.” Check out our next section for other ideas on how to say “rest in peace” on your graduation cap.
Memorial Graduation Cap Message or Quote Ideas
You won’t have much room to write a lengthy message on your graduation cap – especially if you want others to be able to read it from a distance. Here are a few short sayings to use.
5. “I’ll see you on the other side of the stars.”
6. “Always loved. Never forgotten. Forever missed.”
7. “Forever in my heart.”
8. “In loving memory.”
9. “I hope I made you proud.”
10. “Wherever I go, whatever I do, there will always be an angel watching over me.”
11. “Part of my heart is with my angel in Heaven.”
12. “Your light will always shine in my heart.”
13. “You left a paw print on our hearts.” (To use as a memorial to a pet.)
14. “No longer by my side but always in my heart.”
15. “In Remembrance”
16. “For you, Mom.”
17. “I know she’s smiling.”
18. “Thanks for always believing in me.”
19. “I know you are shining down on me from Heaven.”
20. “This ones for you.”
21. “Wish you were here!”
22. “I know you would be here today if Heaven wasn’t so far away.”
23. “I smile and think of you.”
24. “Missing you today.”
25. “Forever Loved, Never Forgotten”
26. “I’ll Miss You Always.”
27. “Always On My Mind. Forever In My Heart”
28. “Missing You”
29. “Until We Meet Again”
30. “In loving memory of those watching today from Heaven.”
How Can You Personalize Your Memorial Graduation Cap?
Is crafting not your strong point? If it’s not, here are some ideas to customize your graduation cap to honor a deceased family member or friend.
We’ll start by giving you instructions on completing the project yourself. Then, we’ll give you online retailers who can help you create a memorial graduation cap.
DIY Memorial Graduation Cap
Again, please check with your school to make sure personalized graduation caps are allowed. It would be sad to put time and energy into decorating a cap only to have the administration confiscate it from you right before the ceremony.
Here is one suggested method for decorating a graduation cap using a poster board.
Step 1: Place the graduation cap on the poster board. Trace and cut the square.
Step 2: Mark the exact center of the square piece of poster board. You’ll need to work around the tassel button as you plan your design. Cut a straight line to the center of the poster board, and cut out a small hole for the tassel button.
Step 3: Sketch out your main design. Consider the words you would like to use. Remember that a large, simple, sans-serif font will make your text easier to see from a distance.
Step 4: Plan your photos or main images. Gather these items to adhere to the graduation cap.
Step 5: Complete the design by adding embellishments. Consider using
- Adhesive gems
- Fabrics
- Silk flowers
- Rolls of washi tape
- Glitter glue
- Sheets of glitter paper
- Adhesive foam sheets
- Decorative stickers
- Fabric paints
- Ribbons
- Beads
Step 6: Adhere the letters, photos, words, and embellishments to the poster board using a hot glue gun or other adhesive.
Step 7: Secure the decorated poster board to the mortarboard using double-sided tape.
Step 8: Place the tassel on the graduation cap.
Step 9: Remember not to throw your special cap in the air if you are worried that your decorations may not survive the landing.
If you aren’t very crafty, consider seeking the help of a friend who owns their own glue gun. If you have enough time, consider ordering a memorial graduation cap from one of these online stores.
Zazzle
There are a lot of different memorial graduation caps on Zazzle. Scroll through until you find a designer or maker that offers the perfect product for your situation. Most of the memorial graduation caps offered on Zazzle are printed on durable plastic and come with adhesive strips so you can secure the design to your own hat.
Etsy
Hire a crafter on Etsy to create a customized memorial graduation cap. Most of the designers on Etsy make three-dimensional caps, complete with silk flowers or other embellishments. Check out their previous designs before ordering your own.
Callie
While there don’t seem to be other online stores selling memorial graduation caps, several websites offer photo charms for graduation tassels. This charm can hold up to three photos, and you can also order an accompanying disc that says “so proud of you.”
GetNameNecklace also sells a similar item.
Other Ways to Remember Your Deceased Loved One At Graduation
Your major life events may always feel bittersweet if you have lost someone close to you. Some people plan for such events and try to figure out how to incorporate the memory of their deceased loved ones into their celebration.
While you might remember your loved one at graduation by decorating your graduation cap, consider some alternatives. For example, display photos of yourself and your loved one at your graduation party.
Wear a piece of jewelry or article of clothing that belonged to your loved one during the ceremony. Decorate your graduation hat with the decedent’s favorite flower or color. Finally, spend some time “chatting” with your loved one and telling them how you feel on your special day.
If you are a family member or friend of the graduate, be aware of their feelings. While they may be excited to graduate, they may also miss their deceased loved ones more than ever on such days. Comfort them by saying, “mom would have been proud,” or “I know grandpa is smiling down from Heaven.” You may also consider purchasing a memorial gift, like this “graduation gift from Heaven.”
While you certainly can’t replace the deceased family member, you can show that you care.
