At Gillette Memorial Chapel and Walker Funeral Home, we understand a
family’s need to create a service that is as
unique as the person who died. A Celebration of their
Life.
Through personalization, funeral services can be
more creative, unforgettable and meaningful. Funeral
directors can offer various ideas to make the service
more personalized and are very open to family suggestions
and creativity. At Gillette Memorial Chapel and Walker Funeral Home,
we encourage families to discuss their ideas with
the funeral director to ensure an individualized ceremony
fitting of the person who died.
A funeral is so much more than a way to say goodbye;
it’s an opportunity to celebrate the life of
someone special.
Today, a funeral can be as unique as the individual
who is being honored. From simple touches like displaying
personal photographs to events created around a favorite
pastime, funerals can reflect any aspect of a person’s
life and personality.
Following are questions you can use to help you decide
how to personalize a service:
What did the person like to do?
Often people have hobbies that become more than just
a casual pastime. Their activity could have been as
much a part of who they were as their smile. Why not
showcase that important part of their life during
the funeral?
Incorporating a hobby can be as simple as:
- Displaying items used for their hobby; e.g. sports
equipment, gardening tools, or collections.
- Personalizing the casket or urn with a symbol
of their hobby.
- Displaying trophies or awards they won.
- Creating a picture board or presentation featuring
pictures of them engaged in their hobby.
- Having someone speak about the person’s
passion for the hobby.
By adding these or other personal touches to a funeral,
the service becomes a reflection of the person’s
life and personality.
What was the person like as an individual?
One way to enhance a funeral is by bringing a piece
of the person’s personality to life. Consider
what made that person special, what made them who
they were? Then find ways to link their individuality
to traditional aspects of a funeral service.
As an example, an avid cowboy or cowgirl may want
to ride of into the sunset one last time. Tasteful
ways to honor their wish include:
- Using a covered wagon rather than a hearse
- Having their saddle and riding equipment displayed
- Playing western music
- Having their horse walk in the procession
- Having a barbecue after the service
Other themes you may want to consider:
- Military honors for a member of the armed forces
- Tailgate party for a sports enthusiast
- Harley-Davidson rally for the Harley owner
What was the person like as a professional?
Many people take great pride in their career. Perhaps
they dedicated a lifetime to a profession that transformed
into more than just a job. If this holds true for
your loved one, you may want to consider ways to include
their professional life into their funeral service.
Following are two examples of how you could incorporate
a profession into a service:
For a teacher:
- Have the choir or band from the school perform
during the visitation or service.
- Encourage students to write essays about the person,
which could be displayed.
- Invite a past student to speak at the service.
For a fire person/police officer:
- Incorporate any honors or traditions that their
department has established.
- Use fire trucks or police vehicles in the procession.
- Have bagpipers play at the visitation or service.
- Display their uniform and equipment.
Was the person spiritual?
Through organized religion or personal beliefs, most
people have some sense of spirituality in their life.
Often those values are from the very core of who the
person was in life. Therefore, you may feel it is
important to incorporate the individual’s sense
of spirituality into their funeral service.
Following are ideas on how to incorporate spirituality
into a funeral service:
- Hold the service at the person’s parish
or religious facility.
- Have someone read excerpts from a key religious
publication
- Decorate the funeral home with symbols of the
person’s faith.
- Have the person’s cremated remains scattered
at a place of spiritual significance to them.
- Read a prayer that touches on their key beliefs.
- Include sacred music from the religion in the
service.
For additional ideas on personalizing a funeral, please
contact the funeral home.
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