Planning A Memorial Service For Your Loved One

Planning a memorial service for a loved one is never easy. Grieving makes the planning of the service very hard in some cases. Lots a time the deceased person leaves very specific instructions has to how they want their service.

If your loved one does not make known his/her wishes it is up to the family to decide on the service. Also since money is tight in today's society - one has to look at if the deceased had a life insurance policy or even the fact of -is there enough money for any type of memorial service? If so, how much can we afford to spend? Costs include renting a building or a room in the funeral home for the service.

A church does not charge for a memorial service but the preacher/priest that speaks has to be paid. Do you want the service to be casual dress or proper attire (such as dark dresses or suits)? Do you want the expense of printing out programs to outline the memorial service and perhaps put in a favorite poem or picture of the deceased? Do you want a candlelight service?

There are many options to consider when planning a memorial service but basically it should be in line with the type of person the deceased was. There is also the option of just having a private service with just family and no outside friends.

If the deceased loved one was religious then it would be appropriate to have their pastor/priest speak at the memorial service along with any friends or loved ones who would like to speak. Hymns or other music is also an option for the services - this alone can sometimes be a major task especially if everyone does not agree on the music to be played or sung. Then one has to decide if they want someone to sing or just use a CD. Do you want a piano or organ played at the service?

Many funeral homes will make a video ( small fee involved) of old pictures that can also be shown at the service. Other ideas could be having a luncheon or brunch after the service to remember the deceased and all the good times that were had. Releasing balloons after the service also represents the freeing of the deceased's spirit.

Whatever one decides for a memorial service they must remember that they are paying tribute to the deceased person and the service should stand for what the deceased person believed in.