How to Create a Digital Memorial for a Modern Tribute

Funeral costs have been steadily rising, with average costs reaching as high as $8,000 for traditional services in some regions. Digital memorial services offer a modern alternative that reduces financial burden while maintaining a meaningful tribute

The way we remember and honor our loved ones has evolved together with the world turning into more and more digital. So, new ways of tributes such as digital memorials have also emerged, giving us ways to meaningfully celebrate the lives of those who have passed. 

There are different types of digital memorials, but mainly they are online spaces that allow the creation of a digital tribute. 

As more and more people turn to digital funeral services to overcome the challenges of physical gatherings, these digital memorials have become convenient ways for family and friends from anywhere in the world to access the tribute. 

Understanding Digital Memorials

Online spaces that are dedicated to the memories of a deceased are digital memorials. They differ from traditional memorials, which are traditionally physical and at a specific location. Digital memorials exist entirely online, meaning they can be accessed from anywhere, anytime. Usually, these platforms let friends and families share messages of condolence or just stories and photos of the deceased. These online memorial services are very interactive and let users engage anytime they want, resulting in a living tribute that evolves over time, as more and more content is being added. 

The main benefit of the digital memorial is that it is free from any geographical or temporal limitations. Plus, it is a permanent place for remembrance, unlike traditional memorials. Digital memorials can’t be deteriorated, they can be preserved indefinitely. Another benefit is that they are highly customizable. You can create the content you want, feature guest books, virtual candles, social sharing options, photos, messages, and almost anything you want. 

Why Create a Digital Memorial?

Accessibility and Longevity

As mentioned above, one of the main reasons to opt for a digital memorial is that it is very accessible and long-lasting, which we can’t say about traditional memorials. As physical memorials are at a specific location and may only be visited occasionally, while digital memorials can be accessed from anywhere, at any time. This is the main reason people create digital tributes, especially today when loved ones can be spread across different countries and continents. 

Another key benefit is its longevity. We know that gravestones and physical keepsakes, deteriorate over time, due to different reasons, such as weather, neglect or other factors. In contrast, digital memorials remain intact and accessible indefinitely, they can be preserved for future generations.

Customization and Flexibility

There are unlimited ways to personalize digital memorials. Besides photos, videos, and personal stories, you can create any type of meaningful content you think reflects the personality and life of the deceased. 

Digital memorials have options to customize them extensively, by choosing specific themes, layouts, and colors, that will reflect the person’s interests. Commonly, online tribute services have features like guest books, where visitors can leave messages, some of them have virtual candles too, which can be “lit” by the users. 

Digital memorials can be updated constantly, as new photos or stories emerge, they can be added to the memorial easily. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Digital Memorial

Choosing the Right Platform

First of all, you need a platform, that aligns with your needs and the desires of those who will be participating. There are various online memorial services available and some of them are designed exactly for digital funerals and memorial tributes. They have specific features that cater to different levels of customization. 

Consider, whether the platform is easy to use, what kind of customization options it has, and if it’s possible to have multimedia content. Some of the platforms provide basic and straightforward templates for memorial pages. There are other digital memorial platforms too, that offer more extensive personalization tools. 

Additionally, pay attention to the platform’s privacy settings, check if it has a customized visibility feature to control who can view and contribute to the memorial. By doing this, you will make sure that the tribute remains a safe and respectful space for everyone. 

Gathering and Uploading Content

Once you have the right platform, it is time to upload the content. Gather material that will make the digital memorial a rich and meaningful tribute. 

Start by gathering multimedia content and stories about the person’s life. Ask family members and friends to contribute their own memories and keepsakes. Many contributions will create a fuller and more vivid picture of the person being remembered. 

On most of the platforms, content upload is typically straightforward. But before uploading, think and organize the material in a way to tell a story. You might group photos by stages of life, or create a timeline with events and milestones. 

Videos are also very powerful as they have the voice and presence of your loved one, and this can’t be done with static images. If you are using a platform like HonorYou, you will also get access to tools that will help to customize content effectively. 

Customizing the Memorial

Most of the online memorial services have customization options. Typically, they let you select themes and layouts. This could be something serene and understated or vibrant and celebratory, depending on what best captures the spirit of the person. 

There are a lot of pre-designed options for templates and they can be modified very easily. Some of the platforms allow music too, which can be good for setting the mood to accompany the memorial. 

Other special features of digital memorials can include virtual guest books for messages, or options to light virtual candles, adding a small communal element to the memorial. 

When the digital memorial is ready, encourage others to contribute to it, by sharing memories or uploading photos and videos. 

Digital Memorial Services and Tools to Consider

Online Tribute Services

Online tribute services typically specialize in hosting and maintaining digital memorials. They also have various features to help you personalize tribute. Online tribute services like Legacy.com, ForeverMissed, and HonorYou offer a wide range of customizable features, such as templates that can be personalized with photos, videos or written tributes. 

Some online tribute services also have an option to add music or edit videos. 

These services focus on community and interaction too, as they let users leave messages or share memories. It creates a space where friends and family can virtually come together to remember and honor the deceased, no matter where they are. 

Memorial Video Creation Tools

The central feature of a digital memorial or digital funeral can be videos. There are various tools that can help you craft a touching video tribute. Animoto, Adobe Spark, and iMovie are easy to use and you can leverage these platforms to create a personalized memorial video, even without having a video editing experience. These platforms have templates that can be customized and personalized according to your needs. 

When creating a memorial video, try to opt for content that was significant for your loved one. There are more advanced tools too, which let you create video montages with professional effects and audio. 

People upload those videos to online memorial services or social media, where they can be viewed by family and friends at any time. 

Digital Legacy Planning

A digital legacy is all the digital material, asset and content that individual leaves behind after their passing. It can be social media accounts, emails, drives, etc. More and more people are deciding to how they want their digital assets to be handled after passing. Some of them appoint a digital executor, someone who will be responsible for managing digital legacy. 

Social media platforms and also online memorial services, already offer options to memorializin accounts or giving access to a designated individual. People also document their wishes regarding their digital memorials and include which content should be kept, shared and with what access settings. 

Blending Digital Memorials with Traditional Funeral Services

Integrating digital memorials with traditional funeral services is both modern and time-honored practice. It lets families create a tribute that reaches beyond the limitations of physical space and allows anybody who wants to participate, regardless of location. 

It has become more and more common to live-stream the funeral or provide a recorded version of it, to ensure that everyone can be part of the farewell. This combination of traditional and digital memorial, creates more inclusive experience, honors the deceased’s life and accommodates the diverse needs of those who wish to remember them.

FAQs 

1.How do you make a digital memorial?

First, select an online platform or website designed for memorials. When you have the platform, start gathering the content (photos, videos, stories) to upload. Then customize the memorial, select theme, layout or interactive features. Once completed, share it with friends and family.

2.What is the best memorial website?

The best memorial website depends on individuals needs. Some top options are Legacy.com, ForeverMissed and HonorYou. They offer variety of tools to create a meaningful tribute for your loved one. 

3.How long has Dignity Memorial been around?

Dignity Memorial was founded in 1962 and since then it has been a network of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers. It is one of the largest networks in the country, that offers memorialization services and end-of-life planning. 

4.How do you create a digital legacy?

There are few steps to create a digital legacy. First, organize your digital assets, content and documents. Then use a password manager to store and share access information with somebody you trust, also known as a digital executor. Next step is to document your wishes, how these assets should be managed after your passing. Consider using services specializing in digital legacy planning.