Ways to Memorialize a Loved One After Cremation

You already know your loved one would like to be cremated, but have you thought about the memorial service? Unless your loved one pre-arranged those plans, you have the opportunity to choose from a great number of options to memorialize your loved one.

Here are a few ways to memorialize and celebrate a life well-lived:

Photo or Video Tributes

Photographs and videos are a great way to remember happy memories and times in your loved one’s life and the moments you spent with them.

• Photos can be portraits, candids, or snapshots of your loved one doing something they enjoyed

• Include family members or friends in the imagery

• Digital photos and videos can be displayed on a screen

• Photos can be placed around the funeral home on strings, balloons, tables, or chairs

• Ask family and friends to bring photos to add to a large poster board or photo collage

Personalized Urn

Another way to honor your loved one is with a personalized urn to help convey their unique personality.

Personalization may include:

• Engraving their name on the urn or a plaque

• Choosing a unique shape or design

• Selecting a style that reflects their life or interests

At Ryan Funeral Home, we believe each service should be as unique as the life that is being celebrated. We offer a variety of options to help personalize and reflect your loved one’s life, including personalized urns and keepsake urns.

Displaying the urn:

• With a framed photo

• Surrounded by cherished keepsakes

• With candles and floral arrangements

• Near a special craft or project they created (e.g., for knitters, crafters, or artists)

Custom Displays

Think about some of the activities, hobbies, or passions your loved one enjoyed.

Did they:

• Ride motorcycles?

• Write or paint?

• Craft or garden?

Ask your funeral director to help create a display featuring their most beloved belongings. Setting up an immersive display can have a deeply positive impact on family and friends by creating space to relive your loved one’s happiest moments.

After the Service

What you choose to do after the memorial service is entirely up to you and your family—unless your loved one shared their wishes in advance.

You may wish to:

• Hold a scattering ceremony

• Keep the remains in a place of honor

• Use a portion of the ashes to create art, jewelry, or another keepsake

These are just three of the many ways to memorialize your loved one. Reach out to our team to learn more and see how we can help you memorialize and honor your loved one.