While planning a funeral and arranging a memorial service both provide opportunities to respectfully honor the life of a lost individual, they can also be difficult for those who are grieving. This is especially true if they have never organized one of these services before and aren’t sure how to proceed. If you’re preparing to put together a memorial service for a lost loved one, follow the tips below to make the process as simple as possible.

A Helpful Guide to Planning a Memorial Service

1. Choose a Date & Location

To start, determine the basics of the memorial service. This will include the time, date, and location. Some people opt to host the service at a house of worship or funeral home, while others may choose to invite guests to a family member’s residence to pay their respects.

2. Notify Loved Ones

Next, start reaching out to people who knew your loved one and might want to attend the service. For those who were particularly close, call them to let them know personally. To inform the general community about the passing, write an obituary and publish it in the local paper. Here, you can include information about the upcoming memorial service, as well as information about where to send flowers or donations in the deceased’s honor.

3. Find Speakers

Most services involve readings that honor the deceased and their legacy. For this portion of the event, you’ll likely need one person to lead the proceedings, such as a priest or reverend. You can also ask close friends and family members to participate by sharing short passages or anecdotes throughout the event. For example, if your loved one was religious, have the speakers share passages that were particularly meaningful to the departed. Or, if your family member loved literature, opt for one of their favorite poems or short stories.

4. Personalize the Service

Finally, include some personal touches to make the service more special and invoke the personality of the deceased. For example, you can create photo collages or a slideshow that highlight personal memories and special moments in the departed’s life. You can also play your loved one’s favorite music during the service and decorate the funeral home with flowers or colors they enjoyed.

If you need help planning a funeral or memorial service for a lost loved one, turn to the caring professionals at Adzima Funeral Home in Stratford, CT. With over 100 years of experience, they have the knowledge needed to guide you through every step of the process, from forming burial trusts to planning for cremations. Give them a call today at (203) 375-2200 to discuss your needs, and visit them online to learn more about what they do.