The Keys To Planning A Memorable Memorial Service
Posted by: Erin Ward in Funeral Advice | July 12, 2021
Originally published by Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home
Each year, it seems that cremation services become more and more popular. Because of this, more and more families are beginning to plan memorial services. How do I plan a memorial service? What are some memorial service ideas? A lot of funeral directors have told us that they hear these questions almost every day. To help you make the planning process easier, check out the checklist we’ve created below.
5 Steps to Planning a Memorial Service
1. Who, Where, and When?
One of the first things you need to do is decide upon the logistics. Who are you inviting? Decide how many people you would like to have at the service. Where will the service take place? The funeral home, your family’s home, a church, a park, or somewhere else? There are plenty of locations to hold the event. If you know the number of guests you would like invited, you can find a venue that’s the right size. Finally, when will the memorial service take place? Unlike a funeral service, you don’t need to hold the memorial service before the cremation. It’s quite common for families to hold the service weeks or months afterwards. This gives people time to plan their schedule and make sure everyone can make it.
2. Will There Be a Theme?
For many families, the thought of a traditional service is boring and unappealing. Creating a theme for the service does two things. The first is that it lets you celebrate something the deceased was passionate about. And the second thing is that it lets you feel a connection with the deceased and makes the event memorable. From our experience, baby boomers don’t want to have just another funeral. Instead, they want to be the star of the show and have their life celebrated. We can help you create that theme, and we’ll provide more details later on.
3. Who Will Speak at The Event?
For most memorials, you will need to decide who will speak during the service. This includes things like readings, the eulogy, and any stories people wish to have shared. This is also when you should decide who will lead the memorial service. If your loved one was religious, you might want to ask a pastor or church minister. It is also quite common to have a loved one or close family-friend as the officiant. Keep in mind, this will be an emotional day. You want the service to be led by someone that can stay composed and is comfortable speaking in front of a group.
4. What food and Beverages Will You Serve?
Depending upon the theme of the memorial service, you may want to serve food and drinks that match that. Other options include serving you some of your loved one’s favorite dishes. Some families even plan a potluck and have guests volunteer to bring a dish.
5. What Decorations Will You Have?
Slideshows, memory tables, photo collages, and scrapbooks are all popular tribute decorations. If you decide to have a theme for the service, you may want to decorate the venue with items that relate to it. Our staff would be happy to assist you and offer further advice on decorating the venue.
Unique Memorial Service Themes
When it comes to planning the theme for a memorial service, the possibilities are endless. The best themes are often the ones that celebrate something the deceased was passionate about. Below are a few suggestions to help get you started.
The Irish Wake
If your family is Irish, consider giving your loved one an Irish funeral service. Irish wake funeral customs make a
sombre event anything but that. With this kind of celebration, families gather to eat, drink, sing, tell stories and celebrate fond memories.
The Organic Goodbye
Perhaps your loved one was conscious about the environment. Keep their passion for the Earth alive by planning an eco-friendly service. Serve foods that you source from local farmer’s markets. Avoid using disposable products. And ask that instead of flowers, guests make a donation to help plant trees or environmental causes. If you want to take it one step further, plant a tree and mix in some of your loved one’s cremated remains.
A Salute To Service
Celebrate the service of the brave men and women who have served in the military. Make sure to include things like patriotic decorations and stationery. If you set up a memory table, proudly display any medals they earned during their service. You could even include a playing of Taps and a moment of silence. Instead of sending flowers, ask guests to donate to an organization like the Wounded Warriors Projector your local Veterans Affairs office.
Have you ever been to a memorial service with a theme? Please let us know what it was like and share your story in the comment section below!
27 Comments
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Chloe Khan
June 12
This is such a thoughtful guide! I especially appreciate the idea of a themed service – it really helps make the event unique and a true celebration of life. When coordinating all the different elements, from speakers to food, it can sometimes feel like you're playing a real-life game of Among Us, trying to make sure everything aligns perfectly. Thanks for these helpful tips!
Courtney Frost
May 14
I once had to organize a memorial for my aunt who adored sunflowers, and making it reflect her bright spirit while respecting the sadness was quite the balancing act. We focused on vibrant colors and shared funny anecdotes, just like an Irish wake, to create a joyful atmosphere. Check out Connections Game for more interesting facts and ideas about funerals.
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May 13
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Luca Rowley
April 7
That's a really helpful breakdown of memorial service planning. Thinking about a loved one's passions is a great way to personalize it. It reminds me of how some people incorporate their hobbies into eulogies - like using football analogies for a coach, or even comparing life choices to draft strategies in Retro Bowl! Anything that feels authentic seems like a good approach.
Isabelloke
April 2
That's such a thoughtful idea about themed memorials! It really does make sense to celebrate a person's passions. I can imagine a memorial themed around something like Fnaf if someone really loved that game! It could be cool to see subtle nods to the characters and lore throughout the service, making it a unique and personal goodbye.
Daniel Vincent
March 26
That's a helpful checklist! The idea of a themed memorial is interesting – it makes it feel more personal and less generic. I especially like the "Organic Goodbye" suggestion. It’s a great way to honor someone's passions. Thinking about all the details can feel overwhelming, though. It's all about finding the right balance – not making it feel like some impossible, fast-paced level of geometry dash! A relaxed and fitting tribute is key.
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Olivia Naylor
March 6
This is a thoughtful guide because planning a memorial service can be emotionally overwhelming, and having clear steps makes the process easier for families. The idea of organizing details carefully—such as speakers, themes, and personal tributes—shows how important planning and structured preparation can be during meaningful life events. In a different context, students often face a similar challenge when managing complex academic tasks like dissertations. These projects also require careful planning, research, and strong time management. Because of the pressure, some students consider professional academic assistance options such as Pay Someone To Do Your Dissertation to better handle deadlines and maintain quality in their work.
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Olivia Connor
February 2
I found the checklist really helpful for turning planning into small, doable steps. I especially appreciated the tips on choosing a fitting theme and deciding who will speak—it can shape the whole tone of the day. For those seeking additional resources, you might enjoy checking Football Bros for ideas on team-inspired, respectful tributes that feel warm and personal. Vietnamese translation follows.
Raymond Patrick
January 14
I especially like the emphasis on themes, because it allows people to celebrate who their loved one really was instead of following a rigid format. I once attended a memorial where the theme reflected the person’s favorite hobbies, and it made the experience feel much more personal and comforting. For someone who loved games like Dashmetry, even subtle elements—such as geometric visuals, music inspired by the game, or a small interactive tribute—could be a meaningful way to honor that passion while keeping the service respectful.
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Jasper Mason
December 23, 2025
This is a helpful checklist! Planning a memorial service can feel overwhelming, especially while grieving. It's good to highlight the flexibility with timing, allowing more people to attend. Location is such a personal choice too – I know someone who held a beautiful memorial in their garden, which felt so right. For refreshments, having things like Sprunki and simple snacks can keep everyone comfortable without adding extra stress to the organizers. Thanks for breaking down the process into manageable steps.