Step by Step Guide to Planning a Memorial Service

Planning for a memorial service can appear complicated considering that during this moment, you are grieving the loss of a loved one.

The ceremony serves as an excellent means to commemorate your loved one’s life, and hosting the service might be a proper way to mark the life of the deceased, and it might help you in the healing process.

Here is a step by step guide that might help you start and navigate through all the decisions you make.

1. Post Cremation or Post Burial

A memorial service takes place at a different time from the cremation or burial moment. The service creates simplicity in the planning process, and as a result, the memorial could be hosted days or weeks later after the loved one has passed on. Some families might, however, decide to hold the memorial service some days after the cremation or burial; thus, some factors have to be considered.

• Cremation

Some families would decide on cremation and opt for a private event to lay the cremated remains either in a cemetery or choose to scatter the ashes. Memorial services often take place after the occurrence of private events. Preparing for a cremation service can be made easier, and experts at Green Meadow Memorials would advise that the family decides on the best cremation urns, wood urns, keepsake urns, themed urns or sale urns to use when sending off the loved one. Given that the family would be undergoing some trying moments, you can always preview the urns and have them delivered to your preferred location at the right cost. By having a private ceremony at the cemetery or by scattering the ashes, the memorial would enable all loved ones to celebrate the life of the deceased.

• Burial

Some families prefer planning a cemetery funeral that could be followed by the memorial service, while others would prefer holding both ceremonies at the same time. Considering that there is a short window between death and burial, it might be difficult for loved ones to travel. By incorporating the memorial service, you can ensure that loved ones who come from remote locations can celebrate the life of the deceased. Some families choose to use Tree Pods for their burial services; Tree Pod Reviews.

2. Themes

In case you decide to align the memorial with an important date such as the wedding day or the deceased birthday, it would be essential that you extend the theme in the service. When the theme fails to align with an important date, you can consider special interests, hobbies, or passions that were critical in the deceased life then consider incorporating the aspects into the service.

You can also incorporate some colors, flowers, music, or minor details that were specific to the deceased life. Others might opt for religious or traditional memorial services and include spiritual readings, hymns, or statements from the clergy. The bottom line, ensure that you delve into the deceased personality and let it guide you as you prepare the theme.

3. The Venue

Based on the selected theme, the family needs to identify the memorial venue. The family might opt for private gatherings or places that held meaning in the deceased life. Other than the site, the family needs to identify the right décor for the occasion. You can pick football jerseys in case the deceased was a football fanatic or some tropical flowers. You can also integrate pictures of the deceased along with the family members. The décor helps those in attendance have special memories that they shared with the deceased.

4. Prepare for the Memorial

In case the family decides on a religious service, the pastor, priest, or members of the clergy can assist in organizing aspects of the service such as readings and music. In case you opt for an informal occasion, you might want to structure the service such that everyone who is grieving has the time to reflect, engage, and connect with the deceased. Also, create some time for mini eulogies, spontaneous toasts, and personal moments where members can share special moments.

5. Inviting Guests

Most services that are held days after the cremation or burial ceremony should be noted on the obituary. In case the memorial is held on a later date, you must inform relatives, friends, and co-workers the soonest possible. You can achieve that using word of mouth, email, digital invitations, and printed format.

Generally, the memorial service acts as a means to commemorate the life of a loved one, and you will have plenty of time to customize and personalize the celebration using a meaningful procedure. Always begin by determining the time and place to hold the service then proceed on with developing a ceremony that highlights the deceased passions and interests. The memorial service needs to be unique, given that it helps all family members heal.