There are many reasons to opt for a virtual memorial service. Because the name “Zoom Funeral” brings up all the things we’ve come to associate with Zoom meetings- a losing battle with the mute button, accidental background noise, and struggling to read the screenshare- we refer to these online funerals as virtual memorials. A virtual memorial is not at all like an office zoom. With the creation of a deeply personalized ceremony that celebrates your loved one in a unique way, both the host and attendees can experience the benefits of a Zoom funeral without the stress of planning something that will end up like a seemingly generic video conference.
Personalizing a Zoom Funeral
Lighten helps families by planning and facilitating virtual memorial services that directly reflect the life being celebrated. That level of personalization can often be found within the details. In this article, we are providing five elements you may consider when planning a Zoom funeral that will help you create an experience that honors the unique identity of your loved one.
Set a Tone
Zoom funeral, online memorial, and virtual celebration of life are terms that can all mean the same thing: an event that pays tribute to your loved one. But it is up to you to decide not only what you call the ceremony but its purpose as well. For example, is it a time to quietly reflect on the loved one and say goodbye to them? Or is it a time to laugh and be joyous because you are reflecting on the joy your loved one brought to those around them?
Determining the tone of the event can help guide you through the rest of the planning process, as it may influence the readings you choose, the songs that are played, or the photos that are displayed.
Choose a Date
One of the benefits of a Zoom funeral is the flexibility of the date. In fact, we at Lighten believe it is never too late to plan a service. With that in mind, you can consider both how much time you need to plan and whether you might host the memorial on a date of significance in your loved one’s life. Dates of significance can include their birthday, wedding anniversary, or a first death anniversary. The time you take and the date you to choose to hold the Zoom funeral can play a role in the level of personalization of the service.
Put Together a Meaningful Program
From the opening to the closing, every aspect of the Zoom funeral program can encapsulate your loved one’s life in a meaningful way. Elements of the program may be influenced by the tone you decide to set and the ideas, photos, and memories collected during the planning process.
Decide on the Details
As part of the Zoom funeral program, you may decide to incorporate elements that will involve the participation of the attendees. For example, if your loved one was known for being a big sports fan, you may ask everyone to wear a sports jersey. Zoom also provides the opportunity for everyone to choose customized backgrounds. If your loved one had a favorite flower or destination, you might find a relevant background to send attendees.
Send Invitations
Now that you have gathered the details for a personalized Zoom funeral, it’s time to send an invitation that provides guests with the details they need to attend the ceremony. Lighten’s memorial webpages function as a beautiful invitation to the ceremony and can also include a photo of your loved one, your loved one’s obituary or life story, a guest book for family and friends to share condolences, and a donation area if you would like to suggest memorial donations in your loved one’s memory. The invitation can also include any special instructions for your guests. For example, you can invite guests to bring a drink for a celebratory toast, a candle for a candle lighting ceremony, or invite them to wear a special item of clothing that reminds them of your loved one. While you may not be able to encapsulate all that is special about the celebration of your loved one, a celebration of life invitation will help you set the tone and instruct attendees if you wish to gain their participation.
At Lighten, we know there are many aspects to planning a memorial of any kind. If you want to dive deeper into some of the topics we touched on today, just follow the links listed throughout this article. If you are ready to start planning and would like a helping hand, Lighten is here for you.
