7 tips for planning an authentic memorial event.
There is no “right” way to celebrate the special people who have impacted your life—memorial events come in all shapes and sizes!
When planning a celebration of life, funeral, or any other memorial event, remember to focus on what feels right for your loved one, you, and your community. Ask yourself, “What would my person want?”. Make that your guiding light and you’ll be sure to plan an authentic celebration that feels like your loved one.
Here are a few more tips to help you plan a memorial event as unique and memorable as your loved one.
As a Black woman and founder of a company that deals with death everyday, I’ve come to see just how grief hits different when it’s a life that has been taken prematurely. And in the particular cases of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, and too many others, it hits even harder for a life robbed in a pervasively disgraceful standard affair.
The more we remember all the ways George was a human, the stronger we keep his memory alive towards change.
As COVID-19 continues to disrupt daily life, some ideas on how you can strengthen connections during social distancing. Even though our norms surrounding grief have been upended, we still have ways to support and connect with the people in our lives.
Above all, remember that “social distancing” means practicing physical distancing, but not giving up our social connections. Let’s navigate this new life together.
If you’d like to host a virtual wake / funeral reception / Shiva for your loved one, you can use this step-by-step guide to make it a success. A virtual wake is a time for people who can’t all come together in person to come together all the same to celebrate the life of their loved one and support each other in grief. Friends and family can share stories, songs, and photos, just like they would at an in-person wake. COVID-19 can’t stop love.
Before spending nearly 50 years together, raising two children and making a huge move from their home state of New York to Arizona, 19 year old Gale met Ed on a blind date - sort of. She was fixed up with his best friend but when they went to the fraternity party they were all attending Ed caught her attention and, before she knew it, the best friend was forgotten and she fell under Ed’s spell. She was drawn to his big beautiful eyes, smile and warmth.
An avid reader of science fiction and fantasy herself, Jan fostered a love of reading in all her children. Every night all 5 kids would be on Jan’s bed as she read them a chapter of The Hobbit and later, the Lord of the Rings.
During the day, she would teach them horseback riding, another one of her fervent passions. Julia, her daughter, remembered how as an overconfident girl she would jump her Shetland pony over everything, resulting in many painful accidents. However, Jan would not let these incidents hinder Julia from getting back on.
