Memorials after the cremation services don’t have to be conventional. In fact, many families have opted to steer clear of the traditional services to accommodate their own preferences, or the preference of the decedent. After all, memorial services are a celebration of the life of a unique individual.
There are many ways you can personalize the memorial services to suit the personality of your deceased loved one. Here are a few ideas:
- Stick to a theme
Decorate in a way to show your loved one’s passion or heritage. Incorporating your deceased loved one’s hobbies, interests or culture not only makes the memorial personal but also memorable to those who may have shared the same passion with your loved one.
- Celebrate with photos
Here’s a refreshing way to display photos: ask friends and family members to bring their favorite photo of them with your deceased loved one and have them pin it to a line, or attach to a helium-filled balloon hovering over the dining table.
Don’t forget to let your guests to put names and addresses on the photos so you can send them back along with a CD of the scanned copies of all the photos you shared.
- Collectibles
Display your loved one’s collection of baseball caps, action figures or stamps. If he or she has a knack for photography, painting or DIY crafts, turn your house or the venue into a mini art exhibit and showcase his or her works. Your loved one’s collection or works of art can be the centerpiece of your memorial’s theme.
- Balloon release
Balloon release is a great way to end memorials. It allows everyone to participate in the symbolic act of “letting go”. Give out small biodegradable cards or colored paper to guests where they could write their message of grief or remembrance and let them attach it to the balloons before the big finish.
- Send-off with a bang
Angels Flight breathes new life to the traditional scattering service: making your loved one’s ashes part of a remarkable fireworks display. After a solemn service, friends and family members are treated to a spectacular fireworks display, where their loved one’s cremains are carried over the ocean and into the sky.
Remember that planning a personalized memorial service can be daunting. Hence, it is better to get the whole family and some of your loved one’s close friends involved in the planning. You may choose to choose to schedule the memorials a few days after the cremation services to give everyone time to rest and gather their thoughts.