Death is inevitable, and the death of a loved one is a more painful experience. One of the funeral planning responsibilities is to arrange funeral services. Memorial ceremony supplies shopping is usually done by mourning relatives or friends, sometimes leading to poor decisions. Nowadays, people plan their funerals ahead of time to express their final wishes and be remembered the way they want to be remembered. Here is a memorial ceremony checklist.

Most essential memorial ceremony supplies
Casket
Caskets are an important part of the memorial ceremony services, especially in the case of a burial service. They are used to display the deceased member and help with storage and transportation. They come in various styles and materials, including wood, stainless steel, and semi-precious metals. A casket can even be personalized as a fitting tribute.

Cremation urn
Urns are an important part of the memorial ceremony supplies for a cremation service. The family decides whether to scatter the ashes or keep them in their homes. In both cases, the remains must be kept in an urn. These urns are made from marble, wood, ceramic, glass, bronze, or steel. To capture the essence of the lost one, engravings or emblems can be used to personalize the urn. Due to their environmental friendliness, biodegradable urns are a popular choice.

Memorial keepsakes
Memorial keepsakes can be jewelry, artwork, or showpieces to honor the deceased. They allow you to connect with the deceased and keep a piece of them with you forever. There are various styles and designs of jewelry, showpieces, and antiques available for you to choose from. You can even keep a small portion of the remains, a dried flower from the service, or the deceased’s fingerprints engraved on jewelry for personalization. You can buy such keepsakes from various memorial service providers.

Funeral stationery
You can use personalized memorial stationery to add a touch of meaning and elegance to your loved one’s funeral service. Prayer cards and memorial service folders are lovely keepsakes for those who attend the funeral. Bookmarks, candles, photo books, canvas art, and other stationery items are also available.

How to plan a memorial?
The first step is to choose a date that is convenient for those planning to attend. It may be more practical to hold the service during the summer when families can travel together more easily or during extended holiday weeks. The other things to take care of are:

Select a location
Before deciding on a location, you should know how many people will attend the memorial. Consider locations that reflect the deceased’s personality or interests. If they liked water, you could hold it near a lake; if they liked nature, you could hold it in a garden. Other options include a golf course, a favorite restaurant, a local park, or a trip to the beach.

If you want something more traditional, consider having it at a church, funeral home, hall, or home. The advantages of holding the service at a funeral home include using their sound system, podium, microphone, and other amenities.

Select a host
If you are not performing the service, you must choose a person who will perform the service well. This could be a relative, a friend, or a religious leader. Choose someone comfortable with public speaking and taking on leadership roles. Make sure to clarify all of the details that may be expected of them with this duty ahead of time.

Collect photographs and memorabilia
Having a place at the service to display photos or favorite mementos that reflect the deceased’s personality is a wonderful way to bring people together and share memories. You could also create an online photo gallery or slideshow of these photos with the help of family and friends.

Prepare for the reception
A reception can be held at the service site or later in someone’s home, park, or other location. You can serve simple snacks and drinks or a full meal, depending on the time of day and the formality of the service. Include this information in the invitation so guests know what to expect.

You can also rent some of the crockery or the furniture required for the memorial ceremony. There are many rental services available that rent out supplies for memorial ceremonies.