How To Create A Meaningful Funeral

When discussing elements of personalisation for your loved one’s tribute, think in terms of capturing the essence of their life.

Through music, ritual, storytelling, vignettes and refreshments, you are able to share the person’s life story in very meaningful ways.

The funeral home you select is committed to providing an event as unique as your loved one’s life.

It is not uncommon for families to say they prefer a party over a funeral or wish to have their event unlike any other funeral they have attended in the past.

Your funeral director will explore simple to more elaborate choices for personalisation.

Meaningful Displays – Was dad a lawn bowler? A display of his bowling gear and trophies will honour his love of the sport.

Distinctive Scents — If mum loved to bake, have some freshly baked scones at the service. The aroma will bring back fond memories for many in attendance.

Unique Keepsakes — If your loved one was the family photographer, create a keepsake (ornament or other small token) featuring his or her favourite photo.

Special Participation — Did your sister sing in the local choir? Invite the choir to sing one of her favourite songs at the service.

Food/Beverage — Did your brother love going to the footy? Serve footy-inspired snacks and refreshments during or after the service.

Live Music — Did grandpa play in a band in his younger years? Honour that with live music after the service.

Customised Menu — Did Uncle Tom love to cook? Ask the caterer to prepare some of his favourite foods for the lunch.

Floral Arrangements — If grandma loved to garden, feature floral arrangements of flowers she loved.

Photography — Guests enjoy seeing photos that reflect the individual’s life and the other people who were important to them throughout all stages of life. Photos can be gathered and taped to poster boards, which are then displayed on easels, or create a digital display of photos that can be displayed on a monitor throughout the service.

Transportation — If grandpa was an antique car enthusiast, consider renting an old car to escort the hearse to the cemetery.

Eulogy Writing — Personal tributes during a service can be exceptionally moving and give attendees insight into the individual’s life.

If you are having a formal service, a service program is nice to provide to your guests.

The program can feature the order of service, printed song lyrics to be sung during the service, a short biography of your loved one and some of his or her favourite quotes.

Following the service, the program can be a meaningful keepsake for your guests.

Some families also create memorial cards to make available to guests.

Memorial cards feature the name of the individual and his or her dates of birth and death.

The card often also features a favourite passage or quote.

Your funeral director can help you make selections for these and other printed materials to use at the service.

While in the past it was common for people to send flowers to a funeral, increasingly, families are requesting donations be made to an organisation that had special meaning to their loved one or the family.

For example, if a person died of cancer, the family may request donations be made to a cancer research organisation.

Or if a loved one volunteered at the local animal shelter, donations may be requested for that organisation.

Many organisations will have donation envelopes and will provide you with a supply to make available at the service.

Discuss this option with your funeral director.

Time for mingling after the funeral provides family and other loved ones with a transition from what can be a somewhat surreal experience of a funeral back into the ‘real world’.

Often, food and refreshments will be served after the funeral.

This gives guests the opportunity to enjoy refreshments while continuing to reflect on the life of the deceased and offer support to the family and other loved ones.

There are many keepsakes available that help you create a lasting memento of your loved one, from jewellery to special boxes.

If you are interested in learning more, your funeral director can tell you about the various options.

In selecting a venue for your loved one’s service, you have a unique opportunity to choose a site that reflects the individual’s spiritual beliefs, favourite hobbies, or interests.

Reflect on where your loved one enjoyed spending time and consider having the service at a favourite restaurant, botanical garden, park, or art gallery.

If your loved one was a member of a church and sang in the choir, a church, with the choir singing a tribute, would be a wonderful setting.

If he or she loved the outdoors, a local park would be a nice option.

Keep in mind that your funeral director can help you transform a smaller viewing room at the funeral home to create an event that beautifully pays tribute to your loved one and showcases his or her interests and hobbies.

Ultimately, it is important to choose a site that you feel will offer a comfortable setting in which to welcome guests and help them begin the grieving process.
Your funeral director can assist you in arranging specific details with venue coordinators.

You will be asked about details such as seating, technology needs and catering options.

It is possible your funeral director already partners with some local venues exclusively in providing memorable life tribute events.

Your funeral director will help you arrange all the details.