Virtual Memorial Guide
  • Welcome to your guide
  • Table of contents
  • Checklist
  • Grief
    • A word on grief
    • Practices for grieving
  • Step by Step Guide
    • 1. Consider purpose & tone
    • 2. Define roles
    • 3. Choose a format
    • 4. Set up your tech
    • 5. Send invitations
    • 6. Consider the elements
    • 7. Design your program
    • 8. Customize slides
    • 9. Record facilitation notes
    • 10. Rehearse the program
    • 11. Day of Hosting
  • Memorial Elements Library
    • Opening
      • Arrival
      • Formal start & invocation
      • Orientation
    • Memorial
      • Music
      • Readings
      • Eulogies
      • Slideshow or video
      • Group activity
    • Closing
      • Letting go ceremony
      • Closing reflection
    • Post-service gathering
  • Get Involved
  • Improve this guide
  • Donate
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  • Purpose
  • Ideas

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  1. Memorial Elements Library
  2. Opening

Formal start & invocation

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Last updated 5 years ago

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Purpose

This is the formal beginning of the event. It is a moment to draw everyone’s attention to the proceedings and help set the emotional tone (contemplative, appreciative, grateful, empathetic). Begin honoring the person you are celebrating.

Ideas

Below are some ideas about what you can do during the invocation. Get Creative! Step 1: call people’s attention

  • Ring a bell, or play some sort of resonant sound that lasts more than a few seconds

Step 2: shift their emotions / shift the state of consciousness

  • Request a moment of silence

  • Guided meditation

  • Lighting a candle, or other symbolic gesture.

  • Prayer

    • Add your own

Serenity Prayer