Here are four things you should never throw away at a funeral, even if you’re trying to “move on.”

1. Handwritten Notes or Letters

Whether it’s a card they once sent, a sticky note on the fridge, or a letter tucked away in a drawer, these pieces of handwriting are deeply personal. They hold your loved one’s actual thoughts — in their own words, their own handwriting. In time, reading them may bring tears, but also comfort and warmth.

Many people regret throwing these away in a moment of sadness. Keep them. One day, they might mean more than you can imagine.