Unique ideas for a funeral, plan a unique memorial service at the zoo

You only have one opportunity to create a funeral or life celebration that represents the unique life that was lead and lost. Hopefully, by reading the examples of what others are doing you’ll be inspired to create a memorable, creative and moving service that no one in attendance will ever forget. More importantly, the service will serve as a symbol of who your loved one was and the joy they brought and shared with all.

The unique funeral or life celebration below exemplifies how with a little creativity a personalized memorial service can be designed. We hope this idea will lead to some creative ones of your own.

Dave had a love for animals and had many safari adventures with his wife Margaret. It seemed appropriate to make animals the focus of his celebration of life.

At Dave’s service:
Funeral attendees were invited to greet the family under an outdoor tent outside of the zoo gates where coffee and cocktails were served, and an opportunity for informal social exchange between family and friends was provided. They were given a 10-inch square memorial folder imprinted with the ceremony agenda and pictures of Dave throughout his life.

At the appointed service time, family and friends boarded one of several waiting zoo trains and began a slow Ride to the first “ceremony presentation,” this one in front of the outdoor bear pavilion. At this station, several tripods held enlarged photographs of animals that had been taken by Dave. These were on display next to a podium with a microphone.

Once family and friends disembarked the trains and gathered around the podium, Dave’s wife, Margaret, began a discussion of her husband and, in particular, their safari experiences and devotion and love for animals. At the conclusion of her remarks, she invited others to share memories and recollections of her husband. The group then re-boarded the trains for the short ride to the next “ceremony Station”.

At the second stop, at the lions’ pavilion, several more tripods displayed blown-up articles about Dave, his work and his devotion to the animals, and a display table held Dave’s PETA awards and PETA donation envelopes. Dave’s closest friend, Don Strattermier, began the presentation, talking about his friendship with Dave and Dave’s love for animals. He then introduced Christine, who related her “behind the scenes” experience of Dave’s work in PETA, sharing several little known but admiral successes and breakthroughs he had accomplished on behalf of animal rights. At the conclusion of her remarks attendees were given another opportunity to make spontaneous remarks.

The entourage re-boarded the trains and proceeded to the zoo arboretum. Chairs facing a large screen enabled family and friends to sit while viewing an eight-minute slide presentation of the deceased life; photographs taken from the family album depicted Dave from his childhood to present, including several safari scenes. The very last picture was a close-up of Dave’s face. While that photograph remained on the screen, attendees heard four rings of a telephone, followed by Dave’s voice on his personal home message machine, a message most of the audience was familiar with: “Hi, this is Dave. I’m on safari, leave me a message and I hope to meet you along the trail somewhere someday.” Following the slide presentation, each person was given a three-by-five card and pen to write a message to Dave and/or Margaret.

Following the slide presentation, an opportunity was provided for those who cared to, to pay their last respects to the deceased, whose casketed body lay in state among the foliage and flowers of the arboretum. As they went by the casket, each was greeted by Margaret who received their message cards, hugs and loving words.

At the conclusion of the viewing, the funeral procession was formed in the zoo parking lot for the trip to the cemetery.

The casketed body was hoisted atop of Dave’s beloved 75 year old elephant Tranzago which began a slow trek to “The Teachers Valley”; a well groomed animal cemetery at the zoo, followed by friends and family on foot. Prior permission had been obtained from the local city Mayors office for the burial.

Although the family was not religious, the funeral director felt that Dave had lived a spiritual life and suggested that a local Buddhist devotee and friend of Dave and Margaret who could draw those parallels between his devotion to animals and his spirituality be asked to make brief remarks to that effect at the committal service.

The funeral director also suggested that Don Strattermier remain at the gravesite until the casket was lowered and the graved filled. It should be noted that Tranzago refused to leave the burial site until the burial was complete.

Our top selling items for personalizing a life celebration

These plantable heart cards can be personalized with your loved ones name and distributed to friends and family. They can then plant the heart and wildflowers will grow in their memory.

Have friends and family share memories of your loved one on these memory cards. Often these are distributed at the service, the memories that are shared will provide comfort to you now and in the years to come. Available with and without drilled holes, holes are for inserting into our memory books.

Click here to see candles and bud vases

Have you found these ideas helpful? Check out this book with everything you need to create a personalized memorial service. It is only $9.95 and will ship the same day it is ordered for quick delivery.

You can find poems, sayings and lyrics here.

For samples of eulogies click here.

If you're looking for interesting memorial products to personalize a life celebration click click here.

We welcome your ideas and suggestions, please email them to us at info@nextgenmemorials.com.