10 ideas for creating a beautiful funeral
Hands resting on a wooden coffin at a flower-adorned funeral service

There are many decisions families need to make in planning their loved one’s final goodbye. We believe that each funeral service is unique, just as every person's life is unique. We are dedicated to making your loved one’s funeral service as special as they were. Here are some ideas to help make your loved one's funeral a wonderful tribute to their life. 



  1. Incorporate family traditions- Perhaps your family had fond memories of an annual vacation, or a board game your loved one was unbeatable at. These memories are special to you and your family and are worth sharing at his/her funeral service for friends and family to feel closer to your loved one.
  2. Create a keepsake for your guests - Send guests home with their favorite baked good recipe, or bringing in a book or jewelry collection that guests can choose from so they will always have a piece of your loved one with them.
  3. Use humor when appropriate- Maybe your loved one had a memorable sense of humor and appreciated a great joke. Using humor during certain points of the funeral may help to lighten the mood and create an uplifting feel to the service.
  4. Honor them with music- Whether your family member was a talented musician, or they appreciated good music, playing their favorite song is a sentimental way to feel connected to them during this time.
  5. Have a memory table- Collect items that your loved one used and appreciated over the years to display to friends and family. Showcase their love of golf, or running by displaying their gear for attendees to appreciate.
  6. Serve their favorite snack/beverage- Maybe your family member loved champagne, or was obsessed with Snickers, incorporating these is a nostalgic way to honor your loved one and to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
  7. Showcase photos- Displaying photos of your loved one during important times in their life is a sentimental way for guests to feel connected to their loved one, and to reminisce on fond memories with them.
  8. Include a special send-off- End the funeral service with a dove or butterfly release to symbolize peace and hope for the future.
  9. Allow guests to share memories- Make it an option for guests to come forward and share special memories, this will help people to grieve peacefully and relive precious moments.
  10. Personalize the casket or urn- Personalize a casket for your loved one by including photos or drawings from friends and family, or choose an urn with their favorite color or pattern to further honor them.


We've seen many unique and beautiful services over the years and can help you design one that is right for your family.

Share this article

Recent Posts

Two people at a desk signing paperwork during a meeting
July 1, 2026
Pre-Planning Suggestions
Two people holding hands across a table in a warm indoor setting
July 1, 2026
Grief Support Resources
Businessperson adjusting tie in a dark suit on an indoor staircase.
July 1, 2026
Funeral Etiquette
Lobby seating area with two chairs, small table, wooden door, and patterned carpet.
July 1, 2026
Witnessed Cremation
Person in a dark suit holding a paper labeled “FUNERAL PLAN”
June 30, 2026
Understanding Preplanning Arrangements for All Funeral Services
Blue water droplet splashing into calm ripples on a light aqua background
June 30, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Heart-shaped wicker decoration on green grass with scattered white flowers and petals
June 30, 2026
Rationalizing Away Grief
Wooden coffin on dry grassland with a small flower arrangement on top
June 30, 2026
Digging Deeper into Green Burial in Colorado
GOES Funeral Care logo in green and brown with stylized bird graphic
June 30, 2026
About Our Crematory
Silver urn surrounded by colorful flowers on a table in a softly blurred room
June 24, 2026
Cremation Services You Can Trust
Show More