> 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/orientation.md).

# Orientation

## Purpose

In this stage, we begin the proceedings and communicate essential information about what is to come, set expectations on how people can participate.

* Who facilitator is / relationship to the bereaved
* About relating to the people in the room, their relationship to one another
  * Identify family verbally (and perhaps visually using e.g. Zoom background)
* Why we are gathered
* Order of service (what’s going to happen)\*
* How to use the conference technology (e.g. Zoom; ideally this is done by the tech operator) 
* Welcome and thank people for attending
* Mention:
  * Whether the memorial is private or public
  * Whether there are plans to create an in-person event when restrictions lifted
  * Whether the memorial is being recorded (note that video will be captured)

## Ideas

* Zoom tutorial: The person who gives the zoom tutorial may be someone other than the facilitator /host of the service.