Memorial Note Cards

You only have one chance to collect everyone’s memories. Consider lined 3” x 5” cards that say, “My Special Memory of You”. These cards and pens are handed to friends and family as they walk into the service. The celebrant or funeral director can be responsible for handing them out and collecting them at the end of the service. These cards can be put in a pouch, taken out, and shared at family gatherings for years to come. They become a reflection of ancestors’ lives for generations to come.

You may want to consider a memory book/guest book/photo album combination that is ideal for capturing the essence of the person, their passions, hobbies, interests, accomplishments and family history. You’ll want to make completing the book a family activity; encourage children, grandchildren and all family members to participate. It will be therapeutic and rewarding; collecting photos, memory cards, notes and letters. Share friends and family’s personal memories by inserting the “My Special Memory of You” cards into the book. Additionally, the book can be used as a guest book at the life celebration. This book will be treasured for generations to come.

Writing Letters as a Form of Grieving

Many grief counselors recommend letter writing as a way to begin to work through the grief process. It’s becoming more popular for the host of the memorial service/life celebration to suggest attendees bring a letter to the departed. By writing their thoughts, they will often feel like they have been able to document how they are feeling while contributing to the service. The letters can be placed in the casket (some caskets now have drawers especially for this purpose) and if the person is cremated, the letters can be placed inside the urn.

Unique Funeral Flower Arrangements

We know it’s traditional to send flowers for a funeral as an expression of sympathy, so consider asking attendees to the service to bring a flower as a tribute to your lost loved one. The flowers can be placed into a wreath and either placed on the casket or if the person is cremated and the remains are scattered, you could put the wreath out to sea along with the ashes.

Consider putting pocket charms on the table that reflect your loved one. Guests are encouraged to take one, they will put them on their pocket or purse, and when they run across it, they will remember the departed.

You may also want to consider personalized seeded cards that contain wildflowers. The cards can be placed on the memory table and friends and family can take them, keep the card as a keepsake, and plant the seeds.