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Posted on April 13, 2023 by jhcadm

Memorial Service Checklist: 4 Things to Consider

The death of a loved one is never easy; it’s a time filled with grief and sadness. But planning a memorial service for a dear one is your final chance to honor their memory meaningfully. 

Holding a cremation ceremony allows you to celebrate the life of your loved one, commemorate what made them unique, and reflect on the joy they brought. That’s why many people refer to memorials as a celebration of life.

You’ll have to handle a few arrangements if you’ve chosen a memorial service to reflect on your loved one’s life and character. Here’s a four-step checklist to arranging a farewell that captures the essence of your loved one’s life:

  1. Select a venue for the memorial service
  2. Choose music and readings
  3. Select an Urn or Cremation Stones
  4. Keepsakes for the memorial service

Selecting the Ideal Venue

Unlike funeral planning, a memorial service does not need to be held within a week. So you can celebrate formal or informal service weeks or months after the funeral.

However, choosing the ideal venue is crucial to honoring your lost one’s memory. You can celebrate the memorial service anywhere, from traditional funeral homes and churches to the beach or gardens. Look for a venue that holds meaning and is convenient.

In addition, while planning, consider cultural aspects, budgets, and the wishes of your loved one. You may also select a theme for the celebration the deceased was passionate about. It helps you reflect on their personality and values while making you feel connected.

Besides this, you should incorporate virtual elements into your venue to accommodate any family member unable to attend the memorial in person. That way, everyone who cares can be a part of your loved one’s celebration of life.

Whether you want to hold an intimate beach memorial or a huge one with ushers and caterers, our compassionate and friendly staff at James H. Cole Home for Funerals will guide you through every step.

Choosing Music and Readings for the Memorial       

Music and readings create an intimate setting for a funeral, allowing you to add a personal touch to celebrate your loved one’s life.

Playing a well-thought-out playlist, playing the deceased’s favorite songs, or hiring a musician can also be a special personal touch. Additionally, adding music behind a photographic reflection or poetry reading can reflect the loved one’s happy memories, personality, and life.

There are numerous other ways to honor your lost one through reading, including meaningful quotes and religious texts. The only thing that matters is that your reading pays tribute to the deceased and resonates with the attendees.

With a carefully curated music playlist and well-written eulogy, you can create a moving farewell that captures your loved one’s legacy.

Purchasing a Beautiful Urn or Cremation Stone

Selecting the perfect urn or having your loved ones ashes turned into Cremation Stones is another aspect of honoring your loved one’s memory. It’s also an incredibly intimate experience for the lost one’s closest family members and friends.

You can find urns in various materials and designs, including wood, metal and ceramics. It allows you to choose something that reflects your loved one’s hobbies, values, and life. While looking for the ideal urn, remember to consider the size. You want to ensure your desired urn can hold your loved one’s ashes appropriately. Lastly, determine where you plan to display the urn, whether the mantle in your living room or a local columbarium niche.

An alternative to traditional urns are Cremation Stones where your loved one’s ashes are put through a compression process that creates 40-60 entirely natural stones you can carry in your hands. Through this process, each stone develops its own custom color, hue, and texture, making them as custom and unique as your loved one. These stones can be split among families and can be physically handled in a much more personal way, allowing grieving families to hold the remains of their loved ones as they grieve.

Create a Touching Keepsake

Keepsakes allow you to set the scene for a memorial, making the celebration a befitting tribute to say farewell to your loved one. There are endless ways to honor your lost one’s life, from personalized mementos and custom jewelry to memory tables and artistic displays.

Adding a keepsake to the memorial service adds a lovely touch to reminisce about your lost one’s cherished memory and highlights their legacy. Setting up memory tables with photos of your loved one creates a focal point for family members and friends to commemorate the deceased’s life. Also popular is incorporating a slideshow or video footage featuring their pictures, hobbies, and passions. No matter what you choose to do, every tribute honors your loved one’s memory.

Let Us Help You Plan a Memorable Memorial Service

Our dedicated and compassionate staff can make planning a memorial service easy. We can help create a celebration that honors your loved one’s personality and passions. With over 100 years of experience helping families plan meaningful and memorable tributes, our funeral directories and staff are in the perfect position to guide you. Contact us to learn more about planning a cremation memorial service.

Posted in Funeral Industry, General Topics