Memorial Cards – How to Write With Meaning

If you’ve recently lost a loved one and are in the process of planning the memorial service, this article will help you to write the memorial card. When planned and written well, the memorial card becomes a keepsake for everyone who attended the service and something special to send to those who were not able to attend.

The first step to writing a memorial card is to identify a special verse, poem or passage that meant something to the deceased. You can do this by:

• Talking to friends and family members and asking them what they think the deceased would have loved. Someone may remember a hymn that the deceased always liked to sing, or a quote that they often offered to others for comfort.
• Checking the instructions left by the deceased in the form of memorial service notes or preplanned arrangements. These instructions may be kept in a safety-deposit box, given to the caregiver or included in the will.
• Searching online for verse ideas; there are many examples of memorial card verses available on the internet including thematic verses to fit with a person’s hobbies, religion, philosophy or interests.

The next step is to format the piece for the specific card on which it will be printed. All memorial cards have a maximum line width and maximum number of lines. To find out these limits, check with the card supplier to inquire. If the piece is long, you may need to take an excerpt or do some paraphrasing.

As well as a verse or passage, you’ll want to include the deceased’s full name and dates of birth and death on the memorial card. To make sure that you have the dates and spelling correct, it’s a good idea for the final step to be to send the proof to a couple of the people. Ask them to do a final review, carefully checking all of the information.

Finally, after the card has been written and the order placed with the card company, make sure that you will request rapid turn-around time so that the cards arrive in time for the service. It would be too disappointing to receive them after the service, so it’s wise to be proactive at the time of placing your order.

By following these steps, you will create a meaningful memorial card to honor the deceased and provide a long-last memento for friends and family.