The symbolic gestures we make towards lost loved ones are an essential part of the mourning process. They allow us to write out our feelings, to send a small but significant message of love at a time when our hearts need to mend. Memorial cards are often handed out at funerals, to provide a small reminder that helps keep their memory alive.
How your memorial card is made, and how closely it matches your vision of what you want to offer the dearly departed, will depend on a number of factors. To give some insights into potential ideas for a card, we explore some common memorial card themes below.
What goes on a memorial card?
What you put on your memorial card is entirely up to you. They’re a profoundly personal creation, and as a result, no two cards will be exactly the same. That being said, there are some very general content ideas that many memorial cards share in common.
A picture
Most memorial cards will include a picture of the deceased. Perhaps a portrait, or a fun moment shared – there’s no right or wrong answer, as long as the image connects with you and shows respect. The process of looking for an appropriate picture might be painful, but it will also involve sifting through plenty of good memories.
A short message
The card will typically also include a short message. This might be a poem or excerpt from a special text or book, something with a strong connection. It could also be a message or poem written for the occasion if you feel moved to write something yourself. Again, there’s no right or wrong message to include.
Not everyone will want to write their own message so soon after losing someone they love, while others will find it helpful and emotionally healing. We all have our own mourning process – it’s important to recognise that and be accepting of that process.
What format are memorial cards?
Memorial cards tend to follow a common formatting size. The most common size for cards is A7, which is 74mm wide and 105mm tall. Often they’re single panel, but they can also be four panels if you don’t think that one is large enough for everything you want to include. There are different kinds of memorial cards however, depending on your exact requirements.
What material are they made from?
Generally, memorial cards are designed to last. This means that the material needs to be high quality, and printed with a high-quality printer.
While you can do your best to look after them, some people like to carry them around in a wallet or pocket. As a result, it’s best to make memorial cards from thick card – some are as thick as 350gsm.
It’s also possible to have memorial cards laminated, although make sure that the laminating service you use is premium, you don’t want it to delaminate as a result of poor quality.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped to answer some of the questions you may have about memorial cards. If you’re looking for a more personal way to commemorate the loss of a loved one, then a memorial card may be the perfect option for you. Thank you for reading!