Designing Your Funeral

a personalized tribute

Planning a funeral is a deeply personal experience. It’s an opportunity to create a meaningful tribute that reflects your values, personality, and the life you’ve lived. At Fairhaven Memorial Chapel in Brooklyn, NY, we believe that every farewell should be as unique as the individual it honors. Our team is here to help you design a service that feels authentic, comforting, and memorable.

Honoring a Life

Honoring a loved one’s life is more than just a ceremony. It’s a celebration of their journey, relationships, and the impact they made on the world. Every life is unique, and the way we remember and pay tribute should reflect that.

At Fairhaven Memorial Chapel, we believe that every service should be as individual as the life it commemorates. Whether you choose a traditional service or a personalized celebration, we’re here to help you create a meaningful and healing experience for your family and friends.

Meaningful Gatherings

Bringing loved ones together is a powerful way to share memories, find comfort, and begin the healing process. A funeral or memorial service can take many forms, from traditional religious services to contemporary celebrations of life.

Your service can include:

A Celebration of Life | A more relaxed and personal event focused on sharing stories, music, and cherished moments.
A Private Family Gathering | For those who prefer a more intimate farewell.
Virtual or Live-Streamed Services | To include distant family and friends in the ceremony.

Lasting Memories

Many families find comfort in memorial keepsakes, which serve as a lasting reminder of their loved one.

Some meaningful options include:

Personalized Prayer Cards or Memorial Programs
Engraved Jewelry with Their Fingerprint or Handwriting
A Memory Book Filled with Stories and Photos
Wildflower Seeds or Tree Seedlings for Guests to Plant in Their Honor

A Lasting Tribute

Honoring a life doesn’t stop after the service. Consider creating a permanent tribute such as:

A Memorial Website | A digital space for family and friends to share photos, videos, and memories.
A Dedication Bench or Plaque | Placed in a meaningful location.
Annual Remembrance Gatherings | Celebrating their life on their birthday or other special occasions.

Personalized Touches

Adding personal elements to the service can make it even more special. Here are a few ways to honor your loved one:

Customized Ceremonies:

Unique Locations | Host the service in a place that was meaningful to your loved one, such as a park, beach, or even their favorite venue.
Themed Services | Incorporate their passions, hobbies, or profession into the memorial, such as a military tribute, sports-themed service, or garden ceremony.

Tribute Videos & Photo Displays:

Tribute Videos | A professionally crafted video featuring family photos, home videos, and meaningful music.
Memory Boards & Tables | A collection of favorite pictures, handwritten letters, and treasured keepsakes.
Memory Stations | Set up areas where guests can write down memories, share stories, or leave personal messages.

Music & Readings:

Favorite Songs | Play music that was special to your loved one, whether it’s a favorite song, a hymn, or live instrumental music.
Personal Readings | Invite family and friends to share poems, letters, or meaningful quotes that reflect their connection to the deceased.

Symbolic Gestures:

Balloon, Butterfly, or Dove Release | A symbolic farewell that represents love, peace, and letting go.
Candle-Lighting Ceremony | Family members and friends can light candles to honor their loved one.]
Planting a Memorial Tree – A living tribute that grows in their memory.

Burial or Cremation?

Choosing between burial and cremation is an important decision, often guided by personal, cultural, or religious beliefs. Usually, people are clear on this point. If your loved one expressed their wishes, following their preference can bring peace of mind. If the decision is unclear, we are here to help guide you.

Traditional Burial

A burial is a time-honored tradition that provides a dedicated resting place for your loved one. It offers a permanent, peaceful location for family and friends to visit, reflect, and pay their respects.

Things to consider:

Casket Selection | Available in a variety of materials and styles, from simple to ornate.
Vault and Liner Options | Some cemeteries require outer burial containers for protection.
Cemetery and Burial Plot | Choose a meaningful location that allows for future visits and remembrance.
Headstones and Markers | Personalize with inscriptions, engravings, or custom designs.
Traditional vs. Green Burial | While traditional burial includes embalming and vaults, green burials focus on natural, eco-friendly options that return the body to the earth with minimal impact.

Cremation

Cremation has become an increasingly popular choice due to its flexibility, affordability, and diverse memorialization options. It allows families more time to plan a meaningful service while still honoring their loved one in a special way.

Things to consider:

Memorial Service with Cremation | You can still have a full funeral or celebration of life before or after the cremation process.
Urn Selection | Choose from traditional urns, biodegradable options, or custom-designed keepsakes.
Religious and Cultural Considerations | Some faiths have specific views on cremation, and we are happy to discuss your religious preferences to ensure the process aligns with your beliefs.
Final Resting Place | Cremated remains can be:
- Buried in a family plot or cremation garden.
- Scattered in a special location that holds meaning, such as a favorite park, ocean, or mountaintop.
- Kept in a home memorial with a beautiful urn or keepsake jewelry.

Designing Your Funeral