How to Make a Memorial Event for a Loved One

Much less formal than a funeral service, a memorial event is a chance for friends and family to celebrate the life of a recently deceased loved one. Arranging a fitting memorial service for someone close to you is not easy, especially as you struggle to come with terms with your loss. However, you can hold a memorial event any time after the funeral, which means you can give yourself a chance to adjust, and make preparations in your own time.

Instructions

• 1

  Pick a suitable location for the memorial. You do not have to restrict your choices to purely religious settings. Let your deceased loved one's personality influence where the memorial is held by choosing a place that meant a lot to him. This can be anywhere from the family home to the local park.

• 2

  Write down a list of people you want to invite the memorial service. Ideally, as soon as you know the location you should send invitations to the people you want to attend. This will give people as much time as possible to make travel and other important arrangements. If the location is in an obscure place or somewhere people may struggle to find, include a map and driving directions to help people find their way.

• 3

  Organize an order of service. If you have chosen a religious memorial service, this will consist of readings from your chosen religious book. You can also arrange for close family members and friends to contribute to the service by giving a reading. For memorial services held elsewhere, you can choose people to share memories and pictures of your loved one, or read extracts from the deceased's favorite songs or poems. Go with what you feel the deceased would have liked and what you believe is the most fitting tribute. Don't be afraid to have laughter during the memorial, if it is fitting to your loved one's memory.

• 4

  Arrange a small reception. Having food and drinks after a memorial is often a chance for people to talk and reminisce about the deceased in a more relaxed setting. You can hold an official reception in a hotel function room or bar, or you can arrange to have it in a family member's home.

• 5

  Make a memory book. This involves passing around an empty notebook and asking guests to sign it, including their favorite memory about the deceased. This is a good outlet for people's grief and also means you will have a lasting keepsake of your loved one. Another idea for a permanent keepsake is planting a tree after the memorial.