Our Meeting Explained
At the meeting we can quickly go through the admin checking the details I have.
Who needs to be there
At our meeting it would be helpful to have everyone there who wants to be involved in the preparation of the service, usually close family members or friends. I appreciate not everyone will be available at the same time, if someone had a story to relay or something they thought I should know about, they could email it through to me.
My suggestion would be that people give some thought as to the stories and memories they would like to include within the service prior to our meeting. I will approach our meeting with empathy and conduct our meeting in a professional, compassionate and sympathetic way.
I may ask if the meeting can be recorded as this could aid my writing of the tribute (eulogy). This of course will be deleted when the final version of the tribute is approved.
Creating your loved one’s story
Following this, the aim of the meeting is to gain a clear understanding of who your loved one was.
Including:
- Their loves
- Loathes
- Passions
- Favourite colour
- Football team
- Hobbies and interests
- The music they made memories to
- Their great escapes
- Anything else who made them who they were.
We will also go on to discuss some practicalities of the service. This is the part when we can discuss songs, hymns, music (entrance, reflection and exit). We will also make decisions on poetry and decide if there is anyone in the family and friendship group who want to participate directly.
This is the time where I need to get to the depths of who they were and apologise in advance if I appear nosy.
After the Meeting
Following our meeting, I should have all the necessary information to create a story of your loved one’s lifetime.
Once I have drafted the same I will send the draft to you for approval/amendment within a couple of days of our meeting. If you haven’t received it within a couple of days please check your junk mail and contact me if there is an issue.
Upon your perusal the first draft, if you could let me have any changes that need to be made. I will then send you an amended version. Once you approve the amended version (you need to be fully happy with the same) I will then forward you the confirmed Tribute that will be used in the service.
On the day of the service I will be waiting for you at the venue and conduct the service in a professional and memorable manner.