> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.virtualmemorialguide.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.virtualmemorialguide.org/memorial-elements/opening/arrival.md).

# Arrival

## Purpose

Since people are spending a majority of time at home, participants may need time to emotionally and energetically transition from something other activities at home into the memorial event. A short arrival phase gives participants time to reorient and be better prepared to wholly take part in a memorial.

* The arrival creates a feeling of everyone being in a shared experience. This time gives participants an opportunity to feel: 
  * You are in the right place. 
  * You are connected with everyone else
  * Everyone is seeing/hearing the same thing
* Mood setting… A moment to transition out of their personal reality and whatever was happening before the event 
* Aesthetically relevant (see an image, an altar, hear music, hear chatter, see chat)

## Ideas

* Video stream of an altar or physical memorial space.  The altar could have: photos of your loved one, flowers, items significant to the honoree, religious symbols.
  * \[add link to altar]
* Show a slide with an image of the deceased
* Put a prompt on screen asking attendees to maintain silence, and to ask questions to use the "chat" function if they have issues
* Play music (this may be a good opportunity to play music with no words)
  * \*\*Link to arrival playlist 
* Open the room 10 minutes prior to the start time.  Arrival should end 3-5 minutes after the scheduled start time, to give people a small buffer to be late.

## Slide Templates

<div align="left"><img src="/files/-M79D2XXIM5V-7n5zVp8" alt="Welcome Slide with Instructions"></div>

![Welcome Slide with Image](/files/-M79D5pzWxV5pcA9C6IE)

## Facilitation Support

![](/files/-M79DMHZLWNgIh51isRQ)