A memorial service is for family and friends. Some like to plan their own memorial service, going so far as to request that a recording of a video they pre-recorded be played at their service. Others may want family and friends to arrange the memorial service however they want.
Many of us will not have the time or desire to plan a memorial service, but may still want to craft a few last messages for family and friends.
It may help to make a list of names and beside them write comments of what he was thankful for or a memory of something done together. You could share the list, asking for their advice or input from others.
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints in our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” Author Flavia Weedn
In essence, this would be a life review – a summary of people whose lives mattered to your partner and whose acquaintances they enjoyed being with. A few brief comments, an expression of gratitude or a sharing of a memory. In just a few words, you crystallize their relationship and the way he would be remembered by that person.
Keep it to brevity and simplicity, even better try to whittle it down to a single element per relationship. When you think about it most people can be summed up with a phrase or story.
Others have used this last opportunity to exhort family and friends to lead good lives based on the life of their loved one. Everyone leaves a legacy and we need to acknowledge that it may not be a grand legacy – in fact for most the answer is no. Look instead to how they contributed to those they cared about.
It would be great if you had time to pick out the right words and create the service to perfection. But it doesn’t always happen that way. The pressure of time forces us to say what is most important, what truly and clearly defines how we want them to be remembered.
To Our Shared Journey,
Mary Francis is a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist®
Certified Law of Attraction Facilitator,
Early Intervention Field Traumatology (EIFT)
Author/Founder of “The Sisterhood of Widows”
Flavia Weedn, widows first year, widowed friendships, the sisterhood of widows, widow support, grieving, how to grieve, grief, life of a widow, #thesisterhoodofwidows, #widow, #grief, #griefsupport, #widowsupport, #howtogrieve, #widowshelpingwidows
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