How to Create a Memorable Funeral

The loss of a loved one is a heart wrenching time. It can be more tolerable if you create a memorable funeral. Follow these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Ask family and close friends to email one favorite memory of your loved one. Copy and paste these little stories into one document and print it. Have these wonderful stories read at the service to remind everyone of the person who has died.
2. Read your loved one's favorite poems or lyrics from songs at the service; read your favorite poem or lyric at the service. If you feel you cannot do it without breaking up, brace yourself and continue. There is nothing wrong with honestly displaying your emotions. If you can't continue, ask someone to stand in for you.
3. Make a CD or DVD of the favorite music of your loved one. Have this music playing during the visitation as added comfort for the mourners. The music can be as varied as hymns, folk music, rock music, polkas or their very own karaoke recordings.
4. Consider your loved ones life and interests when planning a memorable funeral. Some people have been buried in their favorite team jersey with the team logo painted on the coffin. Some people have been buried with their favorite drink and a cigar, others with photographs of their family, and still others with their cell phones.
5. Make a collage of favorite photographs and post them at the entry during the viewing. Add other important documents (copies) of awards and certificates or anything that was important to your loved one. Set up photograph albums of your loved one on a small separate table.
6. Write a beautiful obituary yourself and print it as a brochure. Hand these out with the remembrance cards at the service. You can also create a memorial website with photos, music and memories for free. Most internet service providers have a free homepage for customers; you can use this as a memorial page.
7. Consider a casket that is out of the ordinary, if you think your loved one would approve. Some people have been buried in canoes, corvettes or with their motorcycles. Still others have been buried in plain wooden caskets. Check with your local health department for regulations and state laws; also check with the cemetery for their own rules for burial.
8. Hold an old-fashioned wake after the interment, or hold a "bon voyage" party. Have your loved ones favorite music playing, bring the photographs from the service, serve the favorite foods and drinks of your loved ones. This helps the people left behind to talk, laugh and grieve; the very first step in healing.

Tips & Warnings

• Take photographs of the guests at the "bon voyage" party and post these on the website you are creating. If some people live far away and cannot make the funeral, these photos will help them feel as though they were there.
• Some of these ideas take pre-planning, but many can be done at the last minute such as music and photographs.
• Always consider how your loved one would feel with this type of funeral. If they were extremely private, would they want all those photos and documents posted?
• Consult with other family members before making decisions, such as holding a "themed" funeral. Some may take offense and feel it is frivolous or disrespectful during this time of grief.
• Always consult with the local health department, church, funeral home and cemetery before making final plans. Run the ideas by them first, as some of them may not be allowed.