• Consider a balloon release. Family and friends could write a note on the balloon.
• In order to keep a balloon release environmentally safe:
  • Only use biodegradable balloons – FYI latex is naturally occurring material made from tree sap.
  • Always use fully inflated balloons, release shortly after filling.
• Dove releases and butterfly releases are becoming more popular.
• You may also have families and friends light a candle. You could have a procession and put the candles around the casket or urn. Candles can then be given to families and friends as keepsakes at the end of the ceremony. You may also want to consider a candle and bud vase that can be inscribed with your loved ones name. Every year, on significant dates you can place fresh flowers in the vase and light the candle.
• On your loved ones birthday write them a letter, insert it into a helium balloon and let it go outside.
• Let the entire community know that someone special has passed away with an aerial banner that flies over the memorial service, funeral, or community event.

Memory Table

Think about your loved ones hobbies and passions. Gather some of the key things that were important to your loved one. At the entrance to the service, have the items displayed on a large table. Place items reflecting their hobbies or interests, perhaps a bowl with their favorite candy or treat, and friends and family can help themselves. You may want to take 3×5 cards and label the items and explain the significance.

Create a table and bring in things that your loved one liked to do. For example, if they liked to paint, bring in their artwork, their paints and brushes and smock. You could even bring in their easels and put the artwork on their easels. If they were gardeners, you could bring in their gardening tools and pots of flowers. If they liked football, you could bring any logo memorabilia of the team that they supported that you or they may have. If they liked photography, set their favorite cameras on the table with some of their photographs. You may want to write on a note card, “Sarah always found time to craft the perfect photo and then share them with us”. “Look at Sarah’s hole in one on hole 7.” If they liked golf, bring in the clubs, tees, scorecards, and golf balls.

Memory Boards

Memory boards are used similarly to memory tables but items are posted on a board. Many funeral homes and event locations will have boards for you to use. You can also purchase them at stationary supply stores or you can order memory board kits. Everything you need is conveniently located in one kit. Photos and even favorite crossword puzzles can be used. Seeing a person’s handwriting really makes you feel their presence.

Gather friends and family around and make it a group effort to put together memory boards. Working on it together can be very therapeutic.