Losing someone dear to us is an incredibly challenging time that profoundly impacts our lives. During this time of grief, finding a way to honor their memory and celebrate their unique life becomes one way to cope with their departure.
That’s why planning a personalized memorial service can be such a meaningful thing to do. It’s an opportunity for us to gather with loved ones, share cherished stories, and pay tribute to the remarkable individual we have lost.
While traditional funeral services have their place, there’s something incredibly special about a memorial service that truly reflects the essence of the one we have lost. So, in this guide, we’ll share seven invaluable tips to help you plan a personalized memorial service that is both authentic and healing. By infusing it with personal touches and thoughtful details, we can create an event that honors the departed’s life and provides solace and comfort to those who attend. Let’s start.
- Select a Meaningful Location
Choosing a location that is significant to the deceased is important when you want to plan a memorial service with a personal touch. You could choose a place where they made good memories or spent a lot of time with their family. For example, it could be held at the departed’s favorite park. Or, if your loved one was a practicing Christian, you could reach out to professionals who provide Christian funeral planning services. They can even make personalized arrangements at the church where the departed liked to worship.
The venue you decide on has the power to set the tone for the entire service and can be a way to pay respect to the deceased while also providing comfort to those in mourning.
- Use a Memory Table
A wonderful way to make the memorial service special is to add the element of a visual tribute. It can be done by having a memory table where precious memories of the deceased can be displayed in the form of pictures, trophies, personal items, and other memorabilia. Those close to the deceased can bring their mementos of them to display and share with everyone else.
With this kind of immersive display, family and friends will be encouraged to take an active part in the service, engage in meaningful conversations with each other and share fond memories and stories of the departed soul.
- Personalized Florals
A beautiful floral arrangement at any memorial service is customary, but it’s also a chance to personalize the service in a way that honors the memory of your loved one. The best part is you can get creative with it.
Many people select flowers that hold significance to their loved ones. It could be their favorite colors, bloom, or the kinds they chose for other significant events like their wedding. You could even use customized floral sprays, choosing a meaningful scent and adding happy pictures of the deceased on the bottle.
- Offer Memorial Presents
The power of giving and receiving gifts is much stronger than you might know. In a memorial service, it can be a way for mourners to connect with and cherish the memory of the departed. Not only will it help keep the deceased alive in the hearts and minds of their loved ones, but it can also provide comfort and solace to those remembering them.
If the deceased was an avid gardener, gifting a personalized pouch of seeds to be planted in their honor could be a good idea. Caring for and nurturing the plant may provide some peace to the family and help in the healing process. Other thoughtful keepsakes could include personalized bookmarks, framed photos, and other tokens that symbolize their memory.
5. Incorporate Food
Food is an integral part of the memorial service for several reasons. Firstly, the mourning family is hardly ever in a state to be thinking about food, let alone eating. This could lead to exhaustion and even passing out. Secondly, it’s no secret that food is comforting, and in many cultures eating together is a way to express love and support, which can be therapeutic in times of grief.
But there are ways to use food to make the memorial more personalized. To honor the deceased, you can arrange to serve their favorite comfort foods like macaroni and cheese or rotisserie chicken.
- Play Special Music
Music is an incredible force that has the power to transport people to a different time or place, which can be a valuable tool at a memorial. Music can help you remember the life of a person dear to you while strengthening your ties with others dealing with the loss.
This is because music is a shared experience. It allows everyone to express grief, celebrate the life of the departed, and lean on one another for support.
- Live Stream the Event
When a loved one passes, unfortunately, you don’t always see it coming. Friends and family members living far away might not be able to make arrangements to travel to say their goodbyes. But in today’s digital world, we can do things that were not possible before. To make it more accessible, you can live stream the service so everyone can be present.
In this way, no one will feel left out, and those attending online can leave messages of condolences in a virtual guest book and share their memories of the deceased. It’ll also create a shared space for support and offer a chance for everyone to be a part of the final goodbyes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, planning a memorial service for a loved one can be an emotional experience. Remember to slow down, catch your breath, and process your loss. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family or hire a professional to plan everything.
It might be tough to deal with, but you want to ensure the final sendoff is as meaningful as possible. Adding personal touches like the ones listed above can set the entire tone for the service, and instead of it being something ordinary, it makes the event special – just like your loved one deserves.
