For thousands of years, funerals have been a means of expressing our thoughts and feelings about the death of a loved one. Meaningful funeral ceremonies help us move from a life before death to a life after death, and provide a place for us to express our feelings of loss surrounded by family members and friends.

Funerals are most meaningful when they are personalized.  When you are planning a funeral, think about the special qualities of the person who died and what he or she meant to others.  How can you capture this unique life? With creative ideas and help from Mark and Leslie, the funeral of your loved one will be a celebration filled with lasting memories. 

Capturing the Personality of Your Loved One

• Display personal items or bits and pieces of their favorite hobby
• Select flowers that might hold special meaning or memories
• Display personal and family photos
• Create a theme that is significant to the interests of your loved one
• Allow children to write a letter or draw a picture. Their goodbyes can be placed in the casket, either along side the deceased, or in a special drawer that some caskets contain.

Military -- "Dad always believed his time in the service was the defining moment in his life.  It was where he learned what he was made of and what was really important to him.  He never talked about the medals, how he won them or why.  But we knew how much they meant to him and why they were always in the top drawer of his dresser."

Click on the Photos Below for More Examples of Funeral Personalization

Ocean Breeze	Outdoors	Farmer	Sports	Rock Climber

Personalized merchandise is yet another way to reflect individual tastes. Caskets or urns used at the funeral may be personalized to reflect interests, hobbies and lifestyles of your loved one.  Families can choose a particular casket and then select corner attachments and embroidered panels that are symbolic reminders of their loved one. Some caskets have a "Memory Safe" drawer in which family and friends can place a note or small memento. Children find this especially meaningful as they can draw a picture or place a photo of themselves in this safe place.

Memorial folders, guest registers and thank you cards are chosen to reflect the personality of the loved one.