Our Monthly Tip: Have Guests Decorate the Coffin with Personal Messages

Our Tip of the Month

There’s something incredibly intimate and special about handwritten messages, and ones at funeral services are no different. Having family and friends write personal memories and goodbye messages on the coffin of the person who has died is a great way to ensure the memorial service is a celebration of life and a sharing of fond memories. This is especially true if your loved one is survived by a large number of friends and family. The handwritten messages also give the immediate family a picture of how many people truly loved and appreciated the person who has died and may giving them access to memories of their loved one they may not have been aware of before.

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How-to Suggestions

While this kind of remembrance isn’t what most would call traditional, it is fairly simple to pull off. The primary concern is choosing a casket that will accept handwriting from a marker. An unfinished pine box works great for this, but stained, painted, or metal surfaces will also work well. Outside of that, you need only a handful of Sharpies and willing participants.

It’s a good idea to mention your idea beforehand to give mourners an opportunity to plan what they will write. Asking family and friends who were close to the person who died to be the first to sign the casket will help others feel less nervous about leaving heartfelt messages of love and admiration.

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Handwritten, personal messages allow everyone to recall and share unique memories in a way that can provide moments of celebration and joy during the service and make it a truly memorable event. Whether it’s a funny memory, a declaration of love, or an outpouring of grief, you’ll find the messages inscribed to almost always be heartfelt and true. There’s also a good chance you’ll learn that the life of your loved one meant more than you knew to more people than you knew.

Interested in similar memorial service ideas? Click here to read about a unique ceremonial offering we wrote about a few years ago.