Are you planning a memorial service?
Often referred to as a ‘celebration of life,’ a memorial service can take place instead of a funeral or at a later date to bring people together to remember a lost loved one.
There are many factors to decide upon when arranging a memorial service, including the location, the date, who you would like to attend, and so much more.
If you need a little helping hand planning a memorial service for someone you have lost, then the below checklist is exactly what you need.
- A venue
The first element that you need to choose is where you will have the memorial service. Consider how many people you are planning to invite and how much you must spend. It can also be beneficial to think about how accessible your chosen venue is for your guests.
Practicalities aside, many people choose to hold memorial services in places that hold a special meaning to the deceased. This could be a beach, a park, or a place of worship.
- A leader of service
Unless you or a member of your family are skilled in the art of public speaking, it can be a good idea to find someone to act as the leader of your memorial service. This will help the day run more smoothly and take the pressure off you and your family.
If the deceased was religious, you might want to ask a minister or other religious leader to carry this out for you. Alternatively, choose a celebrant from your local area.
- Readings/eulogies
Although eulogies are more common at funerals, there is no reason why you can’t also have this sort of tribute included in a memorial service. You may also want to include a number of readings, such as poems or passages from the deceased’s favorite book.
Guests can also want to share their personal memories of the deceased.
- A photo memorial or memorial urn
If you have already had a funeral for your loved one, then their body or ashes will not be at the memorial service. Therefore, it can be nice to create a display of photos of the person you have lost.
Or, if you are having a memorial service in place of a funeral, such as after a direct cremation, a commemorative urn such as the Hummingbird Urn by Commemorative Cremation Urns offers a lovely and long-lasting way to remember a loved one.
- Flowers, food, and drink
As this is a celebration of your loved one’s life, you need to ensure that people feel joyous rather than somber. Focus on filling the room with the deceased’s favorite flowers or create a spread of all their favorite foods and drinks for everyone to enjoy.
You may also want to play their favorite music; consider inviting a friend to perform or hire musicians to play acoustic instruments.
Remember, a memorial event should be designed just as much to help the living as to say goodbye to the dead.
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