Funeral services can be a difficult time for everyone involved, whether the deceased is a close family relative or an old friend from the past. Whilst the day itself can be challenging, these services are also essential for grieving as a collective and for processing tough emotions, all whilst giving your loved one a proper send off.
It is traditional for close family and friends to offer some kind of spoken tribute at the service, where these speeches can include anecdotes, poetry and fond recollections. But this can lead to a divide between the prioritised voices and those who aren’t invited to speak. Fortunately there are numerous ways you can encourage contributions from every guest, helping to support a more cohesive grieving process.
Read on for our top suggestions for how you can plan to involve every mourner at your service.
Memory Boxes
One standout way that you can receive contributions from every guest is to create a memory box, which can be placed at the entrance or exit of your venue. This can be a space for guests to write down and submit fond memories, where these can then be read out at the wake, or simply perused in private by the family, helping everyone to feel involved.
Tribute Walls
Tribute walls are a more public way to get every mourner to contribute to the service. This would take the form of a large pin board or whiteboard upon which guests can be asked to write messages or share feelings for everyone to see. An impermanent expression of grief, these walls allow for inner emotions to be expressed in a non-judgemental manner.
Order of Service
It is traditional for an order of service to be handed out during or prior to the funeral. This lists the order in which everything will happen on the day, but space can also be made for additional submissions from guests who aren’t speaking but would like to share their fond memories and thoughts.
Photo Submissions
A more visual way in which collective memory sharing may be encouraged is through the creation of a photo display. This could be physical or digital in nature, where guests can be asked to send in their photographs with the departed prior to the service. By doing so, you will be able to create a collage of memories that allows every guest to feel seen.
T & I Stockman: Professional Funeral Arrangements For Your Loved One
At T & I Stockman, we offer a range of comprehensive funeral services, so you can create a fitting send off for your loved one. Whether you want to include creative funeral tributes or if you prefer a more traditional approach, our caring team is here to help. Simply get in touch with us today to find out more.