When a loved one passes away, we often hold a funeral or memorial to mourn and commemorate their life. Here at Bare, we offer optional memorial services after the unattended cremation.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about arranging a Bare Memorial.
What is a memorial?
A memorial is a ceremony that takes place without a coffin or casket present. Unlike funerals, memorials are usually more celebrations of life, rather than sombre events.
How you send-off your dearly departed is entirely your choice. It could be with a BBQ at a local spot, beers at the pub and a toast in their honour, or a memorial at a park or favourite family holiday spot.
Do you need to hold a memorial for your loved one?
A memorial or funeral isn’t required by law, and isn’t necessary if it’s not what your loved one wanted. However, many people use funeral and memorial synonymously, so they may have not wanted a traditional funeral, even though a memorial can be a very different event.
Memorials may be about those who are no longer with us, but they are events for the living. Planning a memorial that honours the beautiful memories and incredible life of our loved one can help some people find closure and cope with grief a little easier.
A personalised memorial not only celebrates their life but allows us to choose how the chapter ends. Grief is often made more difficult because we have no choice in the outcome. A fitting memorial, on the other hand, allows us to plan a celebration that represents everything we loved about a person.
However, everyone grieves differently, and deciding not to hold a memorial doesn’t mean you loved them any less. If you’re struggling with knowing what to do, here is a list of non-traditional funeral and memorial options for you.
How to arrange a memorial with Bare.
To arrange a Bare Memorial Service, please give us a call on 1800 071 176. Our dedicated team will be able to talk you through your options to decide what is best for you.
Alongside our direct cremation, we offer two different memorial services.
First is the Bare Memorial Service, where our team of expert memorial planners will arrange and run a service for your loved one at one of our partner venues.
Click here to learn more about what’s involved and get a quote for a Bare Memorial.
If you choose a Bare Memorial service, your dedicated funeral director can help you plan and facilitate the memorial. They will take care of most of the memorial planning, but how much or how little input you have will be completely up to you.
These are the services you will receive if you decide on a Bare Memorial Service:
- Services of an experienced funeral director
- Chapel, church, community centre or venue of your choosing within our range
- Professional funeral celebrant to run the memorial
- Slideshow, music, audio-visual and more
- Flowers of your choice
- Service booklets and optional memorial stationary
- Event management
- Catering as an optional extra
- Any other optional extras
It can feel overwhelming and stressful to plan a memorial service. This is why our directors are here to walk you through this process and help you with every step of the way.
Keep reading to learn more about what’s involved in arranging a memorial service.
Consider the type of memorial service.
The first step of planning a memorial is to consider what type of service or event would make a befitting tribute to send off your loved one.
Whilst a traditional funeral service is perfect for some, it’s not for everybody. You can decide if the service should be formal or informal, the itinerary of the day, who is invited, and much more.
At Bare, we are passionate about saying goodbye in your own way, so we believe each send-off should be unique to the person who has died. It should also be a reflection of your loved one’s passions, interests or hobbies – be it art, sport, music, movies, travel or something else they loved. Some personalised touches, for example sporting team colours, can make the service truly memorable.
Typically, a memorial service includes some form of music, eulogy and tributes, often including a video or photos of fond memories.
Choosing a venue or location.
There are two main things to consider when deciding on a venue for a memorial service. The first is whether the deceased was religious or part of a community group with an attached venue, for example their place of worship, a bowls club, or community centre.
The second is how many people will be attending the memorial, and finding a space that can comfortably accommodate. Consider seating arrangements as well, especially if many attendees will need a comfortable place to sit.
With a Bare Memorial Service or Custom Memorial, our directors can help you organise the right location for your loved one’s farewell. You can also head to our list of partner venues, with over 3,000 across Australia.
However, if you already have a venue in mind and are wanting a Bare Memorial Service, simply chat to your dedicated event manager and they will be able to help you with that.
Click here to read more about choosing the right venue for your loved one's memorial.
Consider a celebrant to lead the service.
While funeral services are traditionally led by a minister or celebrant, anyone can perform a memorial. However, if you are considering asking a family member or close friend to lead the service, ensure it’s someone who would be confident enough to perform the honour. Also consider if the service may become too emotional for them.
Alternatively, working with a funeral celebrant can help to alleviate some of the stress at such an emotional time. For families who would like support in planning a memorial, Bare can pair you with one of our dedicated celebrants.
Our celebrant can help plan and conduct a memorial service that truly honours and celebrates your loved one. We’ve hand-selected some of Australia’s best celebrants to partner with, who are committed to providing memorable tributes.
You will be provided a funeral celebrant for your Bare Memorial or Custom Memorial.
Click here to read more about choosing the right celebrant for you.
Include music and a photo slideshow for the memorial service.
Music creates a certain atmosphere and sets the scene for a funeral or memorial. Playing a loved one’s favourite song or musician can also add a personal touch to a memorable tribute.
Music to go behind a photographic reflection should reflect life, happy memories, joys of living. If you need some more inspiration, read our article on the best songs for funerals and memorials.
A memorial video with footage or photos, or a slideshow of scrolling pictures, can add a lovely touch to highlight the person’s life and accomplishments. It also creates a focal point for mourners to look without a coffin present.
Our memorial services include music and a slideshow, so all you’ll need to do is provide us with photos and song requests and our funeral directors can handle the rest.
Decide who will give the eulogy and tributes.
The tribute component of a funeral or memorial service usually begins with a eulogy.
A eulogy is a speech given at a memorial or funeral service, usually by a family member or close friend. A eulogy commemorates and celebrates the life of the deceased person. So, sharing a life story gives purpose to that life and communicates a legacy for those they love.
When considering who might lead the memorial service, ensure the person asked to give the eulogy or tributes would feel comfortable to perform the honour, or if it may become too emotional for them to do so.
Read: how to write a eulogy: 7 step guide.
Consider flowers or charitable donations.
Your dedicated Bare funeral director or event manager can assist in choosing flowers for the memorial service. However, know that flowers aren’t a necessity.
If you would like to request donations in lieu of flowers, you can include this request in any newspaper, social media memorial notice or obituary, along with details of the chosen charity and how to donate. Alternatively, you might encourage mourners to decide on the cause the wish to donate to, individually.
Please speak to your funeral director or event manager if you do not wish to have flowers at the memorial.
Spreading the ashes.
If you have decided to spread your loved one’s ashes in a location that was special and meaningful to them, depending on where that is, you may wish to incorporate that in the memorial service.
However, you may prefer to do so in a more intimate setting, or the location requires travel which means it’s not possible to do so with the memorial. This is why spreading the ashes is not a necessary part of a memorial, but is worth considering if that’s an option for you.
Remembering your loved one through a memorial service.
Planning a memorial is a way to say “thank you” to someone special for their unique life. So when it comes to their final farewell, there's no need to follow any rules or traditions if that’s not what you want.
A Bare Cremation removes the formality and expense that comes with a traditional funeral home and a Bare Memorial allows you the freedom to arrange a unique and personal farewell that represents and celebrates your loved one’s life.
A Bare Memorial can be as traditional or as unique as you'd like it to be.
