(ARA) – From the Egyptian pyramids to the Vietnam Veterans Wall
in Washington, D.C., the emotional importance of memorialization
transcends history and cultures, and it satisfies a basic human
need to remember and to be remembered.
In today’s completely customized society, the desire for
personalization extends beyond life. In fact, nearly half of all
consumers say that personalization has a significant impact on
their funeral and memorial preferences, according to a study
completed by Matthews International – the leading manufacturer of
memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the
cemetery and funeral home industries.
Whether you choose a headstone, grave marker or cremation urn,
consider how you would want to be remembered by future generations.
Rob Newcombe, president of Matthews Cemetery Products, offers the
following advice for creating a memorial that represents and
celebrates life:
* Plan ahead. Approximately one in five people with recent
experience planning a funeral or memorial say that the wishes of
their loved ones were not known because they hadn’t provided
written or verbal guidance. Take control over the final details of
your life and alleviate a future burden from those closest to you
by planning in advance the details of your memorial and sharing
your after-life preferences with family and friends.
* Illustrate your life story. Images can transform a memorial
into a visual biography by depicting all aspects of a life – from
military service to special honors to leisure activities. For
example, the Matthews Lasting Memories collection allows you to add
up to eight of your favorite photos – such as snapshots with your
children, your fishing pole, a favorite car or your family home –
to a memorial plate through a bronze casting process. The result is
a highly detailed and extremely personal memorial that can be used
in conjunction with ground burials, cremation and mausoleum
entombments. Professional designers work closely with individuals
or families to create detailed renderings of each memorial.
* Select the right words. Memorials can communicate much more
than birth and death dates. While many people choose to have a
favorite religious verse or inspirational quote engraved, also
consider an excerpt from a beloved poem, lyrics from a song or even
a special message to loved ones.
* Involve family and friends. Asking loved ones to participate
in designing your memorial can make the process less intimidating
and help them to fully understand your final wishes. Look through
old family photo albums together, and share anecdotes and favorite
stories that may provide inspiration when selecting the creative
elements of your memorial.
“Whether it’s just adding a photo or more detailed information
and imagery, families have told us that personalized memorials
provide future generations with more information about their past
and evoke powerful memories among visitors to the gravesite,” says
Newcombe. “Each memorial can truly be a one-of-a-kind work of art
that makes it possible for an individual to express his or her
religious devotion, patriotism and personal passions.”
For more information and inspiration on creating customized
memorials, visit www.matw.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
