We all experience the loss of a loved one in death. A memorial service helps to ease the pain by providing comfort from friends and family of the deceased. It is recommended to those grieving to remember and talk about the person they have lost. Increaseingly, people are utilizing memorial programs (obituaries) as a way to do this. A well crafted memorial program can recall to the mind joyful memories of our loved one or friend. The program can summarize the unique life that that one enjoyed and the things that made them who they are.
What items are needed when producing a memorial program? Photos are a good place to start. It is best to choose a selection of photos if available. Try to pick ones that capture your loved one's personality, many times these can be found among candid shots. Rmember, photos can be cropped so don't discard the idea of using one because the person is in a group or the background is not right.
The next item is the bio or obituary itself. Obituaries in newspapers are a good place to see examples, however, in a printed memorial program the objective is to convey a sense of the person not just the facts. How can this be done? By relating the details of one's life. Where were they born? Where did they grow up and go to school? Where did they meet their spouse? What did they do as an occupation? What did they enjoy? Did they have hobbies? Were they particularly gifted in some way? What can you tell of your loved one in 200 to 300 words? Your writing can also have a therapeutic effect on you as you meditate on the happy memories of your loved one.
Is there going to be a service? If so you can have a simple outline of events listed in the program. For example, will the service start with a song or prayer? This can be listed along with the name of the person performing it if appropriate. Some include a reading of the obituary which can be taken right form the memorial program. The main part is generally a discourse about the individual and the hope that one entertains or an eulogy followed by a religious service. Others may wish to make comments about the decedent. Finally there may be a concluding song and prayer.
So, the memorable memorial program consists of a well-designed cover photo with the person's name and dates of birth and death. It can be titled "In loving memory" or "Celebrating the life of" or simply "Remebering . . .". The left inside page usually consists of the program and details concerning where the service will be held and the place of interment. The right inside page will have the bio and perhaps another picture of the decedent. The last page of a 4 page memorial program is reserved for an acknowledgment of thanks from the family as well as comforting scriptures or poems or other writings. Added pages can include words to songs being sung, additional photos or written memories shared from family members and friends.
If using a professional like PrintShop Design to design your memorial program, you need simply to provide the photos and either the written bio or the pertinent facts that can then be compiled into a bio. Along with these you can submit any poems or scriptures and other materials you may want to include along with the program deatails. A proof can be sent via email for your approval. All this can be done in the time alotted by circumstances.
Yes, it is a time of great sadness and grieving whenever a loved one dies. Remembering that one especially as time goes on can bring comfort and beautiful memorial programs can recall to our minds the uniqueness of that one's life.