To help families plan a meaningful graveside burial, cremation or scattering service we have compiled an array of ideas that will hopefully be of assistance.
- Urn/Casket Personalization: Using a personal item or keepsake, like a teapot, cookie jar or jewelry box as an urn is a great way to include personalization in the service.
- Flowers: Funeral flowers come in many colors, shapes and designs. Consider incorporating a certain color or overall theme, like a hobby, sport, talent or job to showcase your loved one’s personality.
- Memorial Photos or Personal Artwork: Displaying memorial photos or pieces of artwork created by or for your loved one is a way for others to connect to your loved one’s story.
- Lighting Candles: Bring candles for mourners to hold. Have a family member light the first candle and then share the flame with others.
- Poems, Quotes, Stories and Sayings: Share your loved one’s favorite poems, quotes, stories, scripture, jokes or sayings.
- Music: Music can evoke many memories and emotions. Playing a favorite song or having a friend play a song on a guitar/musical instrument can be very moving.
- Bubbles: This is an eco-friendly alternative to dove or butterfly releases. These symbolic gestures serve as a physical act of “letting go”. Have mourners blow bubbles during a part of the service. This is also a great way to get younger children involved in the service.
- Passing out favorite candy/gum/coffee/tea/beverages: Perhaps your loved one always enjoyed a certain candy bar or collected a certain item, consider passing them out at the service so everyone can participate and share in their memory. If your loved one was a baker, try baking their favorite treat and providing mourners with a copy of the recipe.
- Celebrant/Clergy Member: A celebrant can speak on behalf of your family and offer an alternative to traditional clergy when you are not affiliated with a particular religion.
- Surround the Urn/Casket with Treasured Items: You can place items that are significant to the deceased in, around or draped over the urn/casket when it is on display. Maybe they were a veteran; consider draping a flag or placing a poppy.
- A Memory Table/Memory Board: If the site allows, consider setting up a memory table/ board with a photo of your loved one and share some of their favorite things.
- Memorial Stone Station: If the site allows, consider setting up a table with a vase, stones and a permanent marker. Allow guests to write a personal message, word or story of your loved one on a stone and place it in the vase. This can serve as an alternative to a traditional guest book. These can later be enjoyed by the family after the service and placed in a garden, in a shadow box or somewhere in the home.
It can be a very stunning visual expression of love to ask those in attendance to wear your loved one’s favorite color
Dress: It can be a very stunning visual expression of love to ask those in attendance to wear your loved one’s favorite color or type of clothing that uniquely identified them like a scarf, tie, socks, boots, etc. Did your loved one have a favorite sports team considering wearing their jersey/colors. Maybe they loved superheroes, dress in costume or a hunter and dress in camouflage the options are endless.
Celebrate & Remember Funeral Pastor 