Planning a Personalised Memorial Service: A DIY Guide with Funera Sydney
The popularity of direct cremations highlights a growing desire to celebrate lost loved ones in a more personalised way. While some still prefer traditional funerals, many families in Sydney are now opting to plan their own unique memorial services without the need for a funeral director, opening up possibilities for more creative and cost-effective celebrations of life. This is where a provider like Funera Sydney can help guide you through the process.
Funera Sydney is a funeral service provider committed to supporting families in crafting personalised, do-it-yourself memorial services on a budget. They understand the need for more affordable funeral options and can assist with everything from venue selection to announcing the details. This allows you to bypass the high costs of traditional funeral homes and create a meaningful service focused on honoring your loved one.
In this blog post, Funera Sydney shares tips for how to plan a customised, DIY memorial service.
Select a Meaningful Venue
Instead of defaulting to a chapel or church, think about places that held special meaning in your loved one's life. This could be a favourite park, community centre, club venue, or even a beach, garden, or other scenic outdoor location. Contact the venue directly to enquire about availability and pricing. Many cemeteries also offer chapels you can book privately. Funera Sydney can provide suggestions for unique venues that align with your loved one's interests and personality. They can also help you find and book cemetery chapels for more private services.
Pick Someone to Lead the Service
While you can hire a professional celebrant, you may want to ask a close friend or family member to serve as the main speaker instead. This adds a more personal touch. Provide them with guidance on the order of events and key components to include.
Personalise the Menu
If hosting your memorial at a rented venue, Funera Sydney can assist with finding caterers and customising the menu based on your loved one's favourite foods and tastes.
Select Meaningful Music
Incorporate songs and instrumental music that held special meaning in your loved one's life. This could include favourite genres, artists, movie soundtracks, or songs from meaningful events and memories.
Craft a Eulogy
The eulogy serves as a key moment to highlight your loved one's accomplishments, passions, and impact on others. Ask someone very close to the deceased to deliver the eulogy. Share memories and anecdotes that capture your loved one's spirit.
Include Visual Tributes
Create a photo slideshow or video set to music to share memories and remind attendees of special moments. Display printed photos around the venue as well. Slideshows and videos add poignant, engaging elements to the commemoration. A tech-savvy friend or family can create a photo presentation with software like PowerPoint. Funera Sydney also offers services to create touching photo/video tributes.
Prepare Written Tributes
In lieu of a program booklet, create keepsake memorial cards with inspirational quotes or messages honoring your loved one. Consider designing a personalised memorial service program with an order of events, poems, lyrics, or a meaningful note. Funera Sydney can help craft personalised programmes, memorial cards, poems, etc.
Announce the Service Details
Inform the community of the memorial service by placing notices in local papers and social media. Share key details like date, time, location, and reception details. Trust that Funera Sydney as your primary funeral service provider will handle placing notices and sharing service details appropriately.
Add Creative Personal Touches
Look for ways to further personalise the service, like setting up a memory table with mementos, incorporating the deceased's hobbies or interests into decor, or including small personalised favours for attendees.
Arrange Final Farewell Rituals
If desired, Funera Sydney can arrange special ash scattering or other farewell rituals. For scattering ashes, arrange a final goodbye ritual as part of the memorial or as a private family moment. Releasing doves, butterflies, or balloons can provide symbolism.
The goal is crafting a service as unique as your loved one. With creativity and personalisation, you can plan a meaningful DIY memorial to honour their life without the high costs of a traditional funeral home.
Reach out to Funera Sydney through their website www.funera.sydney/contact-us or call:
- Sydney (02) 9954 6655
- Sydney (02) 9954 6655
- Newcastle (02) 4955 1110
- Wollongong (02) 4243 8755