Organizing A Memorial Service
Set the date and time. Memorial services should be planned in consideration of any family members who have traveled from out of town. Set a date close enough to the funeral or anniversary event that visiting friends and family can attend. Doing so will allow those grieving to share memories.
Choose a location. Arrange a memorial service at a location that is large enough to accommodate the number of people you've invited. Know how many chairs you need, tables for food and arrangements and a podium for a guestbook. You should also consider whether the deceased would have wanted a memorial service in a place of worship or a nonreligious building.
Compile a guest list and send out the invitations. Stay organized when planning a memorial service by making a list of all friends and loved ones of the deceased for sending out invitations. This will ensure that you send invitations to everyone you think is likely to want to attend and will avoid the faux pas of forgetting someone important.
Personalize decorations and music. Make the memorial service a reflection of the person whose memory you're honoring by choosing decorations and music the individual would have liked. Use floral arrangements with the person's favorite flowers or colors and compile a play list of favorite songs or types of music to be played throughout the service. Consider adding any other mementos that you consider properly reflect the person's life.
Get input from loved ones. Ask friends and family members of the deceased individual for input about special touches that will best help remember their loved one. The people who knew the deceased person the best will be able to give you ideas for songs, colors, decorations and mementos and help you with pictures and keepsakes to create a memorial.
Arrange for guest speakers. A key component of many memorial services is having a series of guest speakers who can provide their personal perspective on the deceased person's life and the legacy being left behind. Contact individuals you would like to speak at the memorial service well in advance to verify that they're willing to speak and to give them time to gather their thoughts. Also ask them if there are any particular resources they need to help them speak, such as a microphone, a screen, etc.
Ask for help if needed. You could be dealing with a lot of grief and personal emotion over the death of the person whose memorial service you're planning, so don't be afraid to ask for help with planning and organizing the service if you need it. Ask friends or family members to pitch in with some details of the service if you feel overwhelmed or if you don't have enough time to process your own feelings.
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