Unique funeral favour ideas

Funeral favours are a thoughtful way to celebrate the life of a loved one while giving attendees a meaningful keepsake to remember them by. These small tokens of appreciation can reflect your friend or family member’s personality, interests, beliefs and values, which can give everyone a greater sense of connection during a difficult time. Here are some personal ways to create memorable favours when planning a funeral.

What are funeral favours?

They are simply small gifts and mementos given to guests at a funeral or memorial service. As a token, they serve as a tangible reminder of the deceased and are often reflective of their personality or hobbies. They could be anything – from simple items like bookmarks or candles, to those more personalised gifts that hold special significance.

7 ways to personalise funeral favours

Not sure about the most appropriate way to memorialise a loved one? Here are some favour ideas that could be a good place to start:

1. Grow their favourite plants

One meaningful way to honour your loved one is by sharing their favourite flowers with guests. Provide small packets of seedlings or saplings that they cherished. This means attendees can grow their own living memorial in their garden, where it can be nurtured and enjoyed for years to come.

2. Savour their favourite snacks

If your loved one had a favourite treat or snack, you might consider packaging it up as a funeral favour. This could be anything from homemade cookies to a small jar of their most-loved jam. Including a note about why it was so special to them for a personal touch.

3. Share their favourite music

Music often holds a special place in our hearts and memories. Create a playlist of your loved one’s favourite songs and share it with guests. You can give each person a CD or USB drive, or send them a link to a digital playlist.

4. Celebrate their life philosophy

For those who were religious or lived by a particular philosophy, there are a few ways you can incorporate these into your funeral favours. A religious quote, for example, can be printed on bookmarks, cards or small plaques. It will not only honour the deceased’s beliefs but also give those who receive them a chance to reflect on the words.

5. Digital photo albums

Making up a personalised digital photo album can be a unique funeral favour that lasts for years to come. Compile a collection of some memorable photos of your loved one and create a digital album that guests can access online and download permanently. You might like to include captions or short stories to accompany the photos, or do a voice-over for a montage of the images.

6. Personalised memory gifts

Personalised memorial gifts – from keychains to photo frames – can be a lovely way to memorialise your loved one. These items can include the deceased’s name, a special photo or a specific date.

7. Memory stones

Memory stones are small, smooth stones that you can customise with a name, date or short

message about your loved one. Hand them out to attendees at the funeral so they can place the stones in their own gardens or carry them as keepsakes. They are a tactile memento, and most importantly a powerful symbol of remembrance that can be touched and held at any time to remember and honour the deceased.

Important ways to remember your loved one

Funeral favours are just one small way to remember and honour someone who has passed away. Here are some other ideas to think about:

• Create a memory book: Ask guests to add photos, stories or memories of the deceased to create a collective memory book. This can be a comforting way to remember your loved one.
• Plan a memorial activity: Organise an activity that reflects your loved one’s passions. That could be a charity walk or a tree-planting ceremony, or just a commemorative gathering on a special date.
• Support a cause: You might want to ask guests to donate to a particular cause or charity that was important to the deceased, in lieu of flowers.

Meaningful farewells

Funeral favours are a thoughtful way to honour your loved one and present guests with a meaningful keepsake. Whether it’s growing a plant, sharing a favourite snack or hand-making a personalised gift, these funeral tokens can provide comfort and connection during a difficult time.

With Guardian Funeral Insurance, you may help to relieve the financial burden on your loved ones so they can focus on arranging the perfect farewell for you when you pass away. Request a quote today to find out more.