Funeral services are all about remembering, honoring, and celebrating the life of the departed.
Creating a meaningful and uplifting atmosphere will help those in attendance focus on cherishing their fondest memories. By adding some personal touches to the funeral or memorial event, your guests will also feel more involved and comforted as they begin their healing journey. We have compiled six creative funeral tribute ideas that you may want to consider in your planning.
1. Give plenty of thought to the location.
A meaningful location makes a memorial gathering extra special. Try to choose a place that was among your loved one’s favorite destinations, whether that’s in church, at a park, the beach, or even in their own home. Focus on finding a setting where your loved one’s presence can be felt and that will evoke fond memories for friends and family members in attendance.
2. Choose a relevant theme.
A great way to honor the departed is by incorporating elements of the things he or she enjoyed the most. From ‘Grandpa’s Golf Celebration’ to the ‘International Foods Mary Loved’, a theme adds meaning to the event and allows attendees to participate. Ask guests to wear team colors, bring a dish, or submit a song for the celebration day playlist.
3. Get creative with the funeral flowers.
Consider displaying floral arrangements in ways that symbolize the life and passions of your loved one. A favorite type of flower or meaningful color is one good way to begin. For example, if the departed was known for her lovely rose bushes, adorn the memorial space with rosettes and similar blossoms. If your sports enthusiast’s favorite team was the 76ers, you might opt for funeral flowers in shades of red, white, and blue.
4. Involve your guests by asking them to bring favorite pictures or memorabilia.
Although you are planning the celebration, allow your guests to contribute their own memories and share their unique relationship with your loved one. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate him or her from every angle and stage of life! For example, close friends of the departed will have a different set of pictures and mementos than grandchildren or co-workers will. Place these photos and keepsakes on a table or position them around the room for easy viewing.
5. Spend some time creating an extraordinary memorial.
The great thing about memorials is that the options are limitless. You might pay tribute to your loved one with decorated stepping stones or by planting a tree, for example. Decide what type of memorial you want to create and then figure out how your guests can contribute to it during the ceremony. Perhaps they could paint memorial stones for a private garden area or write down favorite Bible verses or fond recollections about the departed to be placed in a special memory jar.
6. Don’t overlook casual and less costly options.
Memorials don't have to be expensive to be incredible. If you'd prefer to do something more intimate and casual, there are plenty of wonderful and loving memorial ideas to choose from. A potluck evening with family and friends is a warm, homespun way to honor the one who passed on. Ask everyone to bring one of your loved one’s favorite dishes and spend the night sharing memories and sweet sentiments. If the departed was a cinema buff, why not host a movie night? Indulge in some delicious treats and enjoy watching your loved one’s favorite flick as a group.
Funeral tributes and memorials offer wonderful opportunities to honor a loved one who has passed on. Whether you want to stick to a traditional service, add some unique elements, or do something completely non-traditional, there is no right or wrong way to go about it.
The caring professionals at Evan W. Smith Funeral Services are here for you, whether you prefer a very traditional funeral or one that is highly personalized. We invite you to contact us to discuss the many ways we can create a beautiful customized service for your loved one.
About Evan W. Smith Funeral Services: Since 2009, residents of Wilmington, Dover, and the surrounding Delaware community have relied on the caring staff at Evan W. Smith Funeral Services to help them through their darkest hours. Family-owned and operated, the company offers an array of elite funeral care services, including traditional funerals, cremations, memorials, pre-planning, and more. With decades of experience in caring for families from all cultural backgrounds and diverse walks of life, Evan W. Smith Funeral Services is committed to creating memorable, uplifting experiences that always exceed expectations. For more information, please visit www.ewsmithfs.com.
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