Making a Memorial Video? Follow These Tips for a Beautiful, Touching Tribute

When a beloved family member or friend passes away, attendees come to not only mourn the loss but also to remember a life well-lived.

If you’re looking to add a heartfelt touch to your loved one’s funeral service, a memorial video or memorial slideshow fits the bill. By creating a video, you’ll also produce a fabulous keepsake for friends and family. If the technical side of creating a video intimidates you, we’re here to tell you that it is simpler than you might anticipate.

Below are some memorial video ideas and tips to help you craft a standout presentation.

Photos

A memorable video or slideshow hinges on great photos. Gather as many images as you can from family and friends so you have a wide selection to choose from. Ask those donating hardcopy photos to write their names on the back so you can easily return them. Digitize photos by scanning and uploading them to your device (computer or phone). Try to capture details about the life of the one being honored to tell a story. Chronological presentations are one popular choice. You can also opt to focus on highlights from your loved one’s adult life (family reunions, their wedding, church trips, work photos, pictures with grandchildren, etc.) for your funeral video tribute. If you are creating a video for a celebration of life, you might include humorous or lighthearted moments for others to enjoy. Aim for 60-70 images, opting for quality over quantity for greater impact. If you are short on images, you can fill the presentation out with Bible verses, lyrics, poems, favorite quotes, etc.

Music

The music you select is as important as the images. Select songs that are suitable for the tone and audience of your event. Think about the pace of the music too and how it meshes with the slideshow transitions. For slower music, aim for a leisurely five to six seconds for each photo, particularly if there is a lot of detail. If you opt for faster-paced music, try to match the transition of the photos with the beat of the music. This will help your tribute video to feel more cohesive and professional. Consider using the deceased’s favorite song or hymn or opt for instrumental music.

Putting it all Together

Once you have selected your images, it’s time to get started on your presentation. Experts recommend keeping the video brief and memorable, roughly 3 to 5 minutes in total. “Drag and drop” video makers such as Animoto are great for those with little to no experience and can allow you to easily make a beautiful memorial slideshow. They offer templates and require no video editing experience. Simply select a template, upload your photos, and either add your music or pick from their selections. Plans range from free to professional pricing. If you are more experienced or have someone to assist you in creating your video, you may prefer to start from scratch. The choice is always up to you.

Embellishments

Get creative with your memorial video ideas! If you want to take your funeral video tribute to the next level, add your own touches. Many video editors let you customize your video with fonts, colors, and slide transitions. It’s also a good idea to have an intro screen. You can add the departed’s name, birth date, and transition date, as well as a personalized title such as, “A Loving Tribute to the Life of Shirley Johnson”.

Format

Check with your venue, church, or funeral home to see what video formats they are able to play during the memorial or funeral service. The most popular video formats are .mp4, .mpeg, or .mov.

You can also upload the video to YouTube and stream it from the Internet. Whatever way you plan to share the video with your guests, ensure that the venue has that capability and schedule a trial run in advance of the screening.

When a loved one passes, their memory still lives on. Displaying a memorial video at the service can add a heartfelt touch that your friends and family will appreciate for years to come.

If you have additional questions about how to create your tribute video or need further guidance, our caring team is here for you. Please contact us anytime.  

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 20 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved ones. For more information, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.