A memorial service is usually held after a funeral and may sometimes be held instead of a funeral service.
Most families make it a point to hold the memorial service of a loved one on a specific date such as on their birthday or death anniversary.
Planning a memorial service allows you to properly grieve the death of a loved one with an intimate service that focuses more on the memories and life of the deceased. You’ll able to celebrate the life of a loved one less somberly and cherish the times you’ve shared.
Arranging a memorial the right way can ensure a unique and personalized service that allows you and your family to celebrate the life of your departed loved one in a way they would’ve preferred.
When planning a memorial service for a loved one, you’ll want to go about it in the following way.
1. Choose a location
Memorial services are commonly held in church halls, community centers, or family homes. No matter where you choose to hold the service, always consider how much you have to invest in a venue and whether it can comfortably accommodate all of the attendees.
If there was any specific location your departed loved one was partial to or perhaps even frequented, you can opt to arrange the memorial service at that location to honor their preference.
2. Select a date for the service
Memorial services can be held at any time that’s convenient for you and your family. You have the option of planning a memorial service either after a traditional funeral service or at the cemetery or crematorium on the day of.
Make sure you inform the guests in advance about the date, time, and location of the service so that they have time to plan and confirm their attendance. If possible, arranging a service on a Saturday will make it convenient for most attendees.
3. Invite the attendees
If you’d like to have a very intimate memorial service, invite only family and friends who your departed loved one considered their nearest and dearest via a personal phone call or email.
If your departed loved one enjoyed the company of a large social circle and relatives, make sure to prepare a list before sending out a personal invitation in the form of an email or phone call.
4. Pick a theme for the service
Memorial services are typically held to celebrate and cherish the memories of a recently departed loved one. Choosing a theme for the service can make it more memorable and allow you and the attendees to feel more connected.
The theme can be based on anything your loved one was passionate about. The choice of music can also be based on what your loved one would’ve enjoyed.
5. Settle on a leader
Enlist the assistance of a speaker or a confident friend or family member who can speak in front of large audiences. You can always contact a celebrant through a local funeral planning service in your area.
If you’re planning a religious memorial service, a leader of the faith will usually offer their services to help conduct the service on a day that’s high on emotions.
6. Decide on the order of service
A memorial service will usually last for about 45 minutes to an hour, and while there’s no particular structure to a memorial, you can choose to include music, religious or non-religious funeral readings, and eulogies.
The format of a memorial service is very flexible so it’s completely up to you to decide on the proceedings and what you want to include to commemorate your loved one’s memory when planning a memorial service.
Enlist the help of a reputable funeral home when planning a memorial service
It can be challenging to plan a memorial service, especially when emotions are running high after the death of someone dear to you.
Seeking the assistance of a reputable service provider that has experience planning different types of funerals and memorial services can make the grieving process easier and reduce the stress that follows the planning of a memorial.
