I need suggestions on how to conduct a memorial for my mother

I am in the process of planning a memorial for a family member that passed away in March. We are having it at a local restaurant in the meeting room. Everyone can order if they want to eat or not. We are taking a bunch of pictures and creating a video of them to play at the luncheon. We will also have some laying on the tables and such to look at. His great niece will be playing a song on her violin because that made him so happy to listen to her. Others will be saying a few words. Just some ideas.

Hi dragon... I am a Hindu and according my customs we memorize our parents yearly. I mean my father does it every year for my grand parents. Its all religious and a long day program. Some invitees take launch at our home and we provide them vegetable plates. I think, you should go to an oldaged home and share your feelings with them who has no one to take care. It will give them immense pleasure and you will be satisfied and your mom who is now in heaven, will be pleased by it. but its your choice, just my humble opinion. Have a great day.

when we did it for my hubby, we had it in a friends house. we put his urn there, with pictures and cards and flowers on this big long table. and we had lunch and sat around talking about the wonderful things he did and what he'd been to us. it was quite beautiful.

These are very common in our family. They are treated like a big party, and they are a celebration of the loved one's life. We let those that wish to say something do so, we just visit and catch up with each other and we end up telling many good stories about the departed one's life. Sure there may be a few tears but mostly a good time has benn had by all. All we need in a large enough room, it doesn't matter if it's at a church or club anywhere there is room. In poor times it's pot luck, each brings a dish and in times when there is enough money it can be a sit down dinner with even a band. It all depends on how you want people to remember your Mom.

Hi dragon Wow time does sure fly as I do remember your discussion about her passing. I see from one of your comments you said that many will probably not be speaking in a presentation type. So I was wondering if you know how to put together perhaps a power point type of presentation whereas while many were sitting around and or eating they can see slides of her as a child until adulthood. With some nice background music within it. I think that would be lovely to see and many will certainly smile and tear of joy if you include some memorable pics. Whichever route you take I wish it to be a very lovely gathering and hope all have a great time discussing how great she was in each of your lives.

Well we had an Elder say a few words about my Mom at our congregation. All of her family & friends were invited. We had photos of her placed here & there & we all sat around looking at them sharing our memories of her with each other. It was very sad & yes we all cried, but it was nice being able to talk about my Mom & look back on all the lives she touched. Afterward we had a small gathering at a friends house where we all brought a dish of food or some kind of dessert. Then we shared some more of our memories of her while we all ate. Like I said there was a lot of tears both from our shared grief, but also from laughter at the wonderful memories that we had of my Mom.