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Over the years, we have learned through experience the more a funeral service is personalized to celebrate the life of a loved one, the more meaningful it becomes to surviving family members and friends. Please know that it does not matter whether the service will be large or small, nor does it matter the amount of money spent. Rather, meaningful funerals incorporate what the deceased was in life, and in this manner, celebrates a life lived. With this is mind, the following are suggestions that lend personalization to the funeral service. These suggestions may cause you to think of several other unique ways to celebrate the life of the deceased, and we encourage you to challenge us with these requests understanding that we will make every effort to implement your wishes.
Memory Boxes
Simple items such as a memory box can be used to rekindle and preserve favorite memories. For example, family and friends may write a note to say goodbye in their own way or alternatively place items special to them in the memory box. The memory box is often placed in the burial or cremation casket with their loved one. We've often seen young people find meaning in decorating the box so that not only the items inside but also the decoration outside lend personalization.
Memory Boards and Tables
Memory boards and tables have become a common way to personalize a funeral service. Photographs and other memorabilia can be displayed at the visitation and service. These items are often cherished and stimulate positive memories regarding the deceased. In this way, they also lend comfort to those left behind. We provide families with poster boards at no extra charge. They can be taken home and decorated with photographs. Memory table space is also provided to display items of significance.
Personalized Memorial Folders
Memorial Folders have traditionally been used at memorial or funeral services. By personalizing the memorial folder with photos, verses or special sayings, the memorial folder becomes a keepsake for those who want to preserve cherished memories of someone special. We offer design assistance in-house at a significant savings relative to sending them out to be produced professionally.
Video Tributes
A new service at Iles Funeral Homes, a video tribute contains photographs, video clips and a custom soundtrack all directed towards celebrating memorable and meaningful times during a life lived. Moreover, we have equipped our funeral homes to play the video tribute at the time of visitation and/or funeral service. Powerful when incorporated into the funeral service, a video tribute also preserves memories for a long time to come. Reaction received from families utilizing this service suggests that the video tribute will be considered a family treasure.
If you are interested in incorporating a video tribute into the funeral service, it is advisable to select the pictures ahead of time so that they can be brought to the arrangements conference. For details regarding preparing a video tribute, a video tribute instruction sheet can be obtained from any Iles Family Funeral Home.
Personal Funeral Service
Other ways to personalize the funeral service, memorial gathering or visitation include music. We encourage you to incorporate the favorite song/artist of the deceased. All we need is a compact disc or cassette containing the music desired. We also own a large library of music that we offer to you at no charge. If your loved one had a hobby or was involved in the arts, crafts or photography, bring some of their work to be displayed at the visitation or funeral service. If your loved one enjoyed favorite scripture or other writings, please advise us so that we can suggest ways to incorporate this into the service. Consider incorporating eulogies into the funeral service. Often times, close friends or family know the deceased better than the presiding clergy and as such can better reflect on the life of the deceased in a more personal way. After all, who better to speak about the deceased that someone who knew the deceased on a personal basis. We offer a guide book that can assist in preparing eulogies. In processing to the cemetery, consider a favorite place your loved one liked to go, or someplace of significance to the life lived. With this input, we can often arrange to have the procession pass by this place.
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