You may choose to personalise your loved one's funeral by:

• family/friends may want to carry the coffin into the chapel

• may request everyone to wear bright colours or have a football/other theme for eg

• you may want a PAGAN or VIKING themed funeral

• family or friends may read a personal poem/reading ( I will support if needed) or they may record a message, poem or song to be played on the day

• may have a favourte song, hymn or music reflecting their values and culture

• may want to dance to their favourite music

• children/close family may come to the coffin and lay a flower during 'reflection' or flowers maybe handed out at the graveside or after the service or  blow bubbles..you may even want to let butterflies free

• encourage mourners to write a note to be placed in the coffin whilst at the chapel of rest

• you can put a photograph by the coffin - most funeral directors have an easel for a larger canvas

• if your loved one had a hobby eg quiltmaking... may drape over the coffin

• place loved sentimental items on the coffin...a hat...a cap or a flag

• arrange to have the hearse go by a favourite place, street or venue

• If there is to be a few attendees - you could ask to rearrange the seating and maybe have a semi-circle of chairs - depending on the venue

• The printed order of service may contain a card so a memory from family/friends  can be gathered and maybe placed in a memory book afterwards

• Afterwards at the wake/gathering a slide show could be shown of your loved one's pictures

• May have a 'memory corner' at the wake that can be decorated with pictures of your loved one and mementos of their life..could use a small tree or board to leave cards of  memories

                            

                             FUNERALS ARE CHANGING...IT'S ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONE'S WISHES