Ideas for a Memorial Service Program

Carefully choosing a lovely poem, recalling your loved one’s favorite phrases, and sorting through family photos are deeply personal moments that go into creating a memorial service program. Whether you are hosting an in-person celebration of life or an online ceremony, what you may decide to include in the memorial program can help convey the unique identity of your loved one. In this article, our hope is to help get the ideas flowing for a deeply personal memorial service program.     

Opening the Service 

Poems, scripture, prayers, and quotes can be good options for inclusion in memorial service programs. Opening the service with a reading can help introduce your loved one in a personalized way. Lighten is here to help families create an experience that feels right for their loved one. Here are a few ways to include powerful words to share: 

• Letters from the loved one – Is there a stack of old letters to and from your loved one somewhere? If so, try finding excerpts that show an appreciation for life; such as describing a beautiful view or kindness toward others. Messages of gratitude can help to encourage the celebration of a life well-lived. Letters to and from family and friends can also highlight the meaningful relationships in your loved one’s life.  
• Look to literature – Did your loved one have a favorite book or movie? Better yet, a favorite line from a book or movie? Including a quote in your memorial service program doesn’t have to be restricted to “classical” works.
• Favorite sayings – Was there a well-known favorite saying of your loved one? Or maybe a saying in the family that brings joy? Just as messages of gratitude can encourage celebration, favorite sayings can inspire sentimentality. 

If you’re looking for more guidance on choosing quotes, you can check out Lighten’s article, Three Types of Celebration of Life Quotes.

Eulogy & Reflections

Here are two elements you might consider when designing the memorial tribute portion of the service: 

• Relationships – How do you decide who will deliver the eulogy? One way you may approach this decision is by considering the relationships that highlight different areas of your loved one’s life. For example, a close family member might deliver the opening eulogy. Following that, you could ask a friend, co-worker, or neighbor to provide their favorite stories which reflect the wonderful traits of your loved one across different areas of their life. 
• Humor – Lighten wants you to know that it’s okay to laugh during a memorial service. For example, one of the families that worked with Lighten added a Blooper Reel of the recorded portions of their virtual service into the memorial service program. 

If you’d like to read more examples of creative ways families have interpreted the eulogy & reflections portion of the memorial service program, check out Lighten’s article, Unique Memorial Tribute Examples That Will Inspire You.

Closing Visuals or Slideshow

The visuals and photos that you choose can be a beautiful way to highlight the traits, important relationships, and life experiences of your loved one. Some families choose a traditional headshot and professional photos, while others select photos of their loved one doing their favorite activity, laughing, or even acting silly if that suits their unique identity. And if your loved one was of the artistic type, you might consider featuring their artwork during the memorial service program. 

If it doesn’t all fit in the memorial service program… 

Lighten wants to help you create a memorial service that encapsulates the life of your loved one. While a memorial service program can sometimes feel limited in time there are additional ways family and friends can continue to honor your loved one. For example, you can post favorite quotes, stories, and memories on your loved one’s Memorial Webpage. If you have opted for an in-person ceremony, the brainstorming you do during the program creation process may also transfer into the activities you want to include in your celebration; such as serving your loved one’s favorite recipes or encouraging attendees to take part in their favorite activity. 

Lighten Can Help 

In creating your memorial service program, you can use the Lighten Planning Center to view sample memorial service programs, create your own memorial service program, and upload photos. There is also an idea board feature, on which you can pin subjects you would like to include. Finally, it all comes together with the guidance of your dedicated Lighten planning team member. 

We understand that the memorial planning process can be overwhelming. We are here to help ease the strain of the planning process and create a meaningful celebration of your loved one’s life.