Losing a loved one is never easy, but creating a celebration of life memorial video or a memorial slideshow can be a beautiful way to honor their memory and bring comfort to family and friends.
In this guide, we will show you step-by-step how to create a heartwarming memorial video that captures the essence of your loved one and serves as a timeless tribute for future generations. We'll discuss the importance of gathering photos, videos, and memorabilia that will honor your loved one and enhance your video.
With the right attitude and a few helpful tips, you can make a memorial video that is touching and inspiring for all in attendance at the funeral service.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Designate a Memorial Video Coordinator
Appointing a dedicated coordinator for the tribute video project is crucial. This person should be responsible, organized, and sensitive to the feelings of others. Remember, the goal at the end of the day is to create a beautiful memorial video that brings closure but also creates a permanent extension of your loved one.
This tribute video coordinator will act as a point of contact for gathering content (e.g., memorable moments, photos, video reflections, music, etc.), coordinating with friends and family, and overseeing the video creation process.
It's essential to choose someone who can communicate effectively and handle the emotional aspect of the memorial video project with grace.
Having a designated coordinator ensures that the process runs smoothly, deadlines are met, and everyone involved feels supported and included.
This person can also help make decisions and give creative ideas so that the final funeral video shows your loved one's unique personality and spirit.
Step 2: Assemble the Perfect Content for Your Tribute Video
Establish the Narrative of Your Loved One's Story
Before you start collecting content like photos and videos, consider the narrative you want to create for your loved one's tribute video.
Consider the key moments, relationships, and values that defined their lives. These moments need to evoke emotion from friends and family. This will help you select the most appropriate and heartwarming content that will help you create a memorial video for the ages.
Compile Meaningful Content to Include in the Video
Photos
Gather a variety of photos that showcase your loved one's journey. Include photos from different stages of their life, special events, candid moments, and images with loved ones. High-quality photos are best, but even older or imperfect photos can add a nostalgic touch when making a memorial video.
Memorabilia
Collect personal things like letters, artwork, or awards that are important to you or that tell a story about your loved one. These can be scanned, photographed, and incorporated into the tribute video as visual elements.
Videos
Home videos, recordings of special events, or even casual smartphone clips can be incredibly touching in a tribute video. Choose videos highlighting your loved one's personality, relationships, and passions.
Quotes, Poems, and Prayers
Include meaningful quotes, poems, or prayers that resonate with your loved one's beliefs or values. These can be displayed as text on the screen or read aloud by a family member or friend during the video. (Quick tip: for funeral slideshows, starting the slideshow with your loved one's most meaningful prayer or quote is always a nice touch.)
Author’s Note: It’s important to gather and store all of these assets in a dependable location. Creating a well-produced memorial video will require lots of different pieces of information. Check out the video above to see what we recommend with regard to storing your digital media.
Step 3: Organize Your Media Collection
As you gather content to make a memorial video, it's essential to keep it organized. Make a digital folder to store all your files, and think about using a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox to make it easy to view your files and share them with your family. (Quick tip: Try to keep the life content you gather in chronological order so that it's easier to assemble the video.)
Be sure to label your files clearly and back up your collection to prevent data loss. Keep your photos, videos, and music in separate folders. That way, you can access them much more efficiently when editing.
Step 4: Select the Ideal Memorial Music
Music plays a significant role in setting the tone and emotions of tribute videos. Choose songs that were meaningful to your loved one and will evoke memories you're fond of.
When adding music, consider using instrumental music or gentle melodies to create a soothing and uplifting atmosphere.
Remember, your goal should be to make a beautiful memorial video, so the last thing you want is a lousy soundtrack to turn everyone off.
Here are our top 5 suggestions for the best songs for tribute videos, along with the reasons why each one is a good choice:
"Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton: "Tears in Heaven" is a heartfelt song about loss that speaks to many people who have been through sadness. Its poignant lyrics and gentle melody make it a beautiful choice for a memorial video.
"In the Arms of an Angel" by Sarah McLachlan: This powerful ballad evokes feelings of comfort and peace in the face of loss. Its soothing melody and compassionate lyrics make it an excellent choice for a celebration video.
"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen (or Jeff Buckley's rendition): This classic has been covered by many artists, but its message of hope and resilience in the face of adversity remains universal. Its moving lyrics and haunting melody make it a fitting tribute to a loved one's legacy.
"What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong: This classic song celebrates life. Its uplifting message and heartfelt delivery make it a perfect choice for a memorial video highlighting the joy and love your loved one brought to the world.
"You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban: This inspiring song speaks of the strength and support we find in our loved ones. Its powerful melody and uplifting lyrics make it an ideal choice for a remembrance video that honors the impact your loved one had on those around them.
Step 5: Assemble the Celebration of Life Video
Video Apps to Help Put it all together
Using the right video editing tools can make all the difference in creating a polished and professional-looking remembrance video.
Whether you have edited before or not, choosing video maker software that is easy to use and has many different features will help you make a memorial video that is a beautiful tribute to your loved one.
Video Editing Apps – Free and Paid
Numerous video editing apps are available, each offering unique features and benefits. Here are some popular options to consider for your tribute video:
iMovie (Free) - A user-friendly app for beginners, iMovie offers basic editing tools and a range of templates to help easily create a polished video.
Adobe Premiere Pro (Paid) - A professional-grade video editing software with many advanced features. It's perfect for those with prior editing experience or who want to create a highly-customized video.
Final Cut Pro (Paid) - Another professional-level editing software, Final Cut Pro offers a sleek interface and a wide array of features, making it a popular choice among experienced editors.
DaVinci Resolve (Free & Paid) - DaVinci Resolve is a powerful video editor that comes in both free and paid forms. It has advanced tools for color grading, visual effects, and audio editing.
Filmora (Paid) - A video editing software with a user-friendly interface. Filmora offers a variety of effects, transitions, and templates, making it suitable for beginners.
If you're uncomfortable with a video memorial editing software program or want a professional touch, consider hiring a videographer or video editor to help create the memorial video.
They can help you through the process and make sure that the video of your loved one is shared in the most meaningful way.
Author’s Note: Check out the video below to take a further look at DaVinci Resolve and why I feel it’s a great video editor for you to try out.
Step 6: Export and Test Your Memorial Video
Once you're done editing the video, save it as a high-quality file like MP4 or MOV and then export it. Check it on a computer, tablet, and smartphone, among other things, to ensure it plays correctly and without any problems.
It's also a good idea to share the video with a few close friends and family members to gather feedback before the final presentation. (Quick tip: If shared privately, expect emotion from those who see the video. When a loved one passes, the family members left still have to deal with funeral arrangements and the stress that their loved one is gone, so be empathetic and understanding when they give feedback.)
Before the funeral or memorial service, take the time to ensure everything is in order for the funeral presentation.
Coordinate with the funeral director or event planner to confirm the technical requirements and setup, such as a projector or TV, and ensure the audio and video quality suits the venue.
You're sharing memories, so you want to ensure they're articulated well and heard by everyone attending the funeral service.
Additionally, consider creating a program that provides an overview of the video, including the names of those who contributed and a brief description of the content. (Quick tip: If possible, consider adding images, b-roll footage, and small snippets of different memories of the loved one.)
This will help attendees understand the context of the video and give them a keepsake to remember the event and a way to celebrate and follow your presentation.
Lastly, please take a moment to think about why you're making the video and what you want to say about it. Remember that the goal is to create a caring tribute to your loved one that makes people feel better and helps them heal.
By preparing thoroughly and thoughtfully, you can ensure that your tribute is a meaningful and unforgettable part of the service.
Create Lasting Tributes with Celebration of Life Memorial Videos
A celebration of life memorial video is a powerful way to honor and capture your loved one's memory and share their story with family and friends.
By following these steps, you can create a heartwarming memorial video tribute that will last for years to come.
Conclusion
Creating a celebration of life memorial video is a beautiful and meaningful way to commemorate your loved one and bring solace to those left behind. Whether it's memorial videos, a funeral slideshow, or a speech to pay tribute, you must do what you feel is right from the heart.
If you'd like professional help creating a tribute video to celebrate someone's life, please don't hesitate to contact me, Anthony Sabatino.
As a videographer with years of experience making celebration of life videos, I know how important it is to tell the unique story of your loved one in a way that honors their memory and gives your family comfort.
Contact me today to learn more about my celebration of life video services.
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