How To Include The Participation Of Family And Friends In The Funeral Or Memorial Service

This article on Funerals is provided by Everplans — The web's leading resource for dealing with death. Create, store and share important documents that your loved ones might need. Find out more about Everplans »

A funeral or memorial service is a time to remember and honor the life of the person who died, and as such it should reflect what the person may have wanted or how you choose to remember him or her.

Participation Of Friends Or Family Members

As you plan the funeral or memorial service, keep in mind the people you would like to participate in the service and what you would like their roles to be.

Common ways for people to participate include:

Serving as a pallbearer
Offering a eulogy, tribute, or other speech
Reading a poem, prayer, or literary selection
Singing a song or playing a piece of music
Hosting a post-service reception

Special Features Of The Service

Keep in mind if there are any special touches you’d like to bring to the funeral or memorial service, such as music, flowers, a photo slideshow, or a video tribute.

Religious Considerations

If you will be following any religious or cultural traditions, many aspects of the funeral or memorial service may already be prescribed. Consult your local clergy or view our article Religious Funeral Traditions.