The last several years have been marked by an increase in the number of families looking to personalize their or a loved one’s funeral, resulting from the aging population’s tendency to make funeral choices based on values that are different than in previous generations.
Today’s families are looking to plan funeral services that are as unique as the person who died, oftentimes reflecting the hobbies, passions, and interests of the deceased.
Check out these 40 ideas to help families memorialize their loved one long after the service.
Creative Photo and Message Displays
Memorialize a loved one through creative displays of personal photos and condolence messages. These unique displays are easy to create and will show families that you are willing to go the extra mile to help them commemorate their loved one.
1. Photo Display with Balloons
2. Memorial Tree
3. Photo Quilt
4. Memorial Stones for Condolence Messages
Memorial Releases
Families are increasingly memorializing their loved one through celebration of life events in lieu of traditional funeral services. This stems from the desire for more personalized, informal gatherings to reflect upon and celebrate their loved one’s life. Memorial releases like the ones listed below make great additions to life celebration events and help the family say goodbye to their loved one in a meaningful way.
5. Butterfly Release
6. Balloon Release
A previous version of this article included a balloon release, but after much feedback, we suggest finding an alternative that is safer for the environment.
7. Dove Release
8. Lantern Release
Memorial Jewelry
Following a service, many family members may be looking for a way to keep their loved one with them wherever they go — memorial jewelry is a great solution.
9. Cremation Jewelry
10. Handwritten Memorial Jewelry
11. Beads Made from Sympathy Flowers
12. Locket with Favorite Photo of the Deceased
Creative Memorial Frame and Photo Ideas
Frames and photos are a great way to personalize a celebration of life gathering — from displaying favorite pictures to offering a unique sign-in experience for guests — and the options are truly endless. See below for some of our favorite frame ideas.
13. Alternative Funeral Guestbook
14. Memorial Shadowbox
15. Photo Wreath
16. Signable Photo Frame
Custom Treasured Keepsakes
Today’s families are far more value-conscious than in the past, and they are looking for unique personalized keepsakes to honor their loved one.
17. Photo Keepsake Book
18. Customized Thank-You Cards
19. Memorial Candles
20. Memorial Glass or Crystal Ornament
21. Memorial DVD
Food and Drink
Serving the favorite foods and beverages of the deceased is an endearing way to personalize a funeral service.
22. Offer the Deceased’s Favorite Treats in a Candy Bar
23. Serve a Favorite Beverage
24. Cook a Favorite Food or Dish
Let Your Love Grow
Planting a tree, shrub, or flowers in honor of the deceased is a beautiful way to commemorate a loved one and create a permanent memorial for friends and family to gather in remembrance.
25. Plant a Memorial Tree in the Decedent’s Name
26. Hand Out Keepsake Saplings to Funeral Attendees
27. Plant a Remembrance Tree from Cremated Remains
Personalize the Funeral Service
Look for ways to personalize the funeral service so it serves as a direct reflection of the deceased loved one, their life, and their existing legacy.
28. Involve Family and Friends
29. Hand Out Personalized Programs and Prayer Cards
30. Play a Favorite Song or Artist of the Deceased During the Service
Highlight the Deceased’s Hobbies or Interests
There is no better way to showcase a loved one’s passions at a funeral service than by adding their favorite hobbies and interests to the mix.
31. Incorporate Favorite Sports
32. Showcase a Map of Their Travels
33. Display Favorite Books
34. Ask Family and Friends to Wear Clothing Representative of the Deceased’s Favorite Sports Team
Showcase Favorite Items
Ask families to bring in some of their loved one’s favorite items to create a more meaningful and personalized service.
35. Display Favorite Collections
36. Repurpose a Favorite Shirt into a Pillow
37. Exhibit Favorite Artwork (i.e. Sculptures, Paintings, or Drawings)
Invite Guests to Take Home a Memento
Many guests that attend a funeral service may be looking to take home a keepsake item in memory of their departed friend or relative. Provide keepsakes like those listed below for memorializing the deceased.
38. Memory Stones
39. Forget-Me-Not Seed Packets
40. Memory Pocket Charms
Any other ideas on how to personalize your funeral services? Share your favorite recommendations in the comments below!
Please don’t release balloons! Balloons end up littering the ocean and environment! Sea turtles mistake them for jellyfish and eat them, they can kill birds and mammals who get entangled in the string, just please remove that one, it’s a terrible thing, even the idea of it. You send these balloons up to your loved one, and they end up trash on the ground? It’s just bad.
Thank you for your comment! We have removed the section about releasing balloons in order to help protect the environment.
Please don’t remove the balloon release idea. There are biodegradable balloons made especially for memorials.
Ya – I thought that I heard that they’re made special so that they breakdown. That’s great!
There are biodegradable balloons, and its a great way for family to write a message then release…You can find them on Amazon
Sadly the biodegradable ones still take a very long time to break down and can still pose many hazards for wildlife
https://balloonsblow.org/latex-balloons-still-kill
I like the idea of a tree planting but anything else along that line to show respect of a loved one
thank you Manticore – I agree 1000% – releasing balloons is not fashionable any longer- please respect our natural world along with loving your beloved you are memorializing – thank you
Thank you for your comment! We have removed the section about releasing balloons in order to help protect the environment.
I agree that the idea of balloon releasing should be removed!
Thank you for your comment! We have removed the section about releasing balloons in order to help protect the environment.
This is so beautiful. I’m trying to figure out a way to honor my boyfriends grandfather. I wanted to get something for his mother and i’m so happy i found this. Thank you so much.
Can a scholarship or an endowment be considered a memorial?
Absolutely! There are many families who dedicate a scholarship, endowment, or charitable donation to their loved ones who have passed.
Wonderful ideas! I am going to put some of the ideas to use at our family reunion in remembrance of those who have passed. Thanks for taking the time to put together this wonderful website. Kelly
Do you have the exact link to the handwritten necklace you show?
Hi Kate, we don’t have the specific link to the necklace in the photo, but you can find similar styles at this link: https://www.etsy.com/search?q=memorial+jewelry+handwriting Hope this helps!
I do release balloons in my son’s memory, but I use the ones that biodegrade without strings… that’s important to put them in a net and do not put strings on the balloons because they can strangle wildlife and sea life, but the latex biodegradable balloons in a net that you release are fine. It is a great way to say Happy Birthday to your loved one by writing messages on them, but please no mylar balloons and no strings attached. You can find the netting online (amazon) for cheap. Blessings to everyone who suffers from loss as I do.
Another idea woumd be to have the wreath flowers dry pressed and made into a memory pucture frames with picture and favourite poem
I had no idea that you could opt for jewelry when dealing with funeral arrangements. It is important to understand that doing some research can help you find the best way to remember your loved ones. It is also a good idea to seek the help of a reputable funeral company in your area.
Yes, When my son passed. I had him buried so no ashes…But that didn’t stop anything. I had the back of his braids cut off and I used the hair in the urn necklaces and rings. Gave them to his children, my siblings, his father and my mom and my other two children with a message. Your Strength is in your hair. Your Strength with his Strength will get you thru the rough times when you miss him.
You’ve got great tips for creative memorial ideas here. I like how you said that the past couple of years have shown more people wanting customized services. I’d love something cool for my parents, like burial at see or something.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE COMMENTS. I wanted to release lanterns but found out its prohibited in New York City. It a matter of Homeland Security and Fire Marshall.
I like the idea of having a memorial release for my funeral when I pass away since they can say goodbye to me in a meaningful way. I’ve been told by my grandfather many friends of his have moved on to the afterlife without any plans for their funerals, and their families never knew what to do or how to plan things, and he doesn’t want this to happen to me in the future. Perhaps he will be happy if I tell him that I’ll look for a funeral home that can help me pre-plan my funeral as well as his so that he won’t have to worry about his family when that time comes.
Please don’t release doves. It’s cruel! Most of them die.
For the balloon option there are biodegradable balloons that you can purchase that are safe for the environment.
It’s good to know that dove releases symbolize letting go of a lost loved one. One of the requests of my grandmother before she dies is to release her ashes into the sea on her first death anniversary. Perhaps we should also consider releasing doves on that day to add to the solemnity of the occasion.