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Hi Alison, I have done a few of these and I hope this helps as it does take a little work on your part to put it altogether but I assure you it is worth as not only good for the residents but you as well as we spend so much time with them all and a chance for us to say goodbye. I

put a little book together just like you would get at the actual service, So front cover has a picture of the resident and inside i put pictures of the resident doing activities that they shared good times with others , I then put funny sayings, comments etc they may have said to me or other care staff during their stay with us. I play a song that I knew they liked that made them smile (ie one was you are my sunshine) and put the words in so everyone could sing along if they wished, I finished the book with either the lords prayer if they were religious or a nice friendship life poem for those who are not.

DAY OF MEMORIAL SERVICE:

When I opened the service I explained to everyone that this is their time to fairwell an old friend not with sadness but with memories of all the good times they have shared either during activities or simple chat over a cup of tea. I asked in closing if anyone would like to share a memory they recall of good times together I often say a few words about something I have recalled I try to make it positive and encouraging. Sometimes I get one or two residents who wish to say something but mostly they just like to listen. I try to make it very light hearted so not to cause grief to anyone. I organise a very small bunch of flowers from the garden and ask for a minute silence for us all to say farewell and lay the flowers on the chapel bench (a table is fine if you don't have a chapel). At the end I offer all residents who have attended to stay and join me for a cup of tea, during this time I find they are all talking and laughing over funny things they did with their friend. (its wonderful)

Hi there, I used to do a similar service at the end of each year for residents who had passed away, I called it a memory tree service and had a medium Xmas tree on a table in middle of room and asked the families to put an angel on the tree in memory of their loved one, we said a small piece about each resident while in care with us, I had a photo of each resident on a board at entrance to room, following service we had a nice afternoon tea. Many families appreciated the time and effort that went into this service, a lot of work but very much work it

Hi everyone, We have just had our service this morning. We had a glass jar with led lights for each resident that had pasted in the last yea, flowers and a photo placed on the back drop for residents to view. We also had booklets made up for residents to have as keep sakes .And yes their is some work to get it together but well worth it.

Hi Helen

Thank you for sharing this information

It sounds like you had a great service and they are lucky to have you do this

Helen, I like your luminary idea. Tea lights in a glass jar, photo and flowers. This is a nice idea for our Independent Living residents. A display area with all the photos and memories.

In LTC village, we have a beautiful wooden window box to display those who have passed recently, and we share their loss and memories during monthly forum, which is held in the same area as the window box. I do like the tealight idea. Thank you all for your memorial ideas.

Hi Darla

Thank you for your feedback