Today, many memorial and funeral services are customized to reflect the unique spirit of the person whose memory is being honored. For both traditional religious services and modern celebrations of life, there are many ways to work in personal details to make the event more individualized. While the wishes of the departed should always be respected first and foremost, here are a few ways surviving loved ones can include meaningful details if they’re planning the service.

3 Options for Personalizing Funeral Services

1. Incorporate Their Passions

Showcase your loved one’s favorite things at their service, including most-loved sports, pastimes, animals, or passions. For example, if they adored lighthouses, you might hand out prayer cards with an image of their favorite. You can also feature their favorite flower in sprays and arrangements. If your family member was an avid gardener, one fitting way to honor their memory is to offer seed packets to guests so flowers can be planted in their honor.

2. Share a Special Reading

There is usually an opportunity during both memorial and funeral services for family members to read a passage. For traditional religious ceremonies, consider selecting a verse your loved one cherished. Whether or not the deceased was religious, you can incorporate a passage from one of their favorite books, poems, or even movies into a eulogy. Quotes from beloved authors or musicians can also be featured in slide shows or collages.

3. Play a Favorite Song

Before traditional funerals, family members typically work with the clergy to select songs to be featured during the service. You can choose from a number of songs to be played by the organist or sung as hymns. Select the ones your family member enjoyed most. Or, for a celebration of life ceremony, consider having a special song played in your loved one’s memory before, after, or during the service.

No matter how you choose to honor the life of those who have passed, Robert W. Waid Funeral Home in Meadville, PA, is committed to fulfilling each individual’s wishes for a respectful and personalized service. For more than 100 years, these compassionate professionals have provided funeral services for community members, assisting with every step of the planning process. Learn more about how they help families during times of need by visiting their website or call (814) 724-1021 to speak with a staff member.