Chapter 2: Memorial Resources
Planning a Memorial Service can be very daunting. After all the event is a celebration of the life of your loved one and you want it to be as special as them. Here is a list of twelve things to consider.
- Contact your place of worship. Many churches and temples have a memorial service coordinator who can help you with the planning of the memorial.
- Select a Date that gives the family time to plan the service, while giving enough notice to out-of-town guests.
- Decide on the Guest List, based on whether you want an intimate service or a large gathering, making sure close friends/family members are on the list.
- Decide if you want the memorial service to be formal or in formal. Formal service is usually in a place of worship. An informal service may be in a park, community building, a lodge or home.
- Once you have decided on a guest list, choose a location that accommodates the guest list, maps to the type of service (formal or informal) and fits the image of the right place you have in your mind.
- Find a facilitator/ master of ceremonies. Sometimes a close family member may be chosen to lead the service
- Decide on the flower arrangement, decorations and the guest book
- Decide on key people who will involved with the service – who will be the clergy member, who will deliver the eulogy, what songs will be played and who will play them; who will seat the people etc.
- Choose the Music and Musicians. Favorite musical numbers can be played as reminders of the deceased. Musical piece at the beginning and the end of the service provides some structure for the event.
- Symbolic elements can be incorporated into the ceremony itself...an empty chair, a vase of flowers, releasing butterflies or doves at the end, a candle walk. What symbolism to include depends on the person, the family and their belief system?
- Decide on Photographs and/or Other Mementos to Display. Create a memory table. Invite family and friends to bring photos and other mementos: newspaper clippings, awards, artwork, writing and symbols of his/her favorite hobbies.
- Pass out index cards or printed note cards and have attendees write down their remembrances. Some of them can be shared later via the online memorial to preserve the memories.