3. Photos and Memory Boards
Many funerals include a memory table, a slideshow, or a photo board. It’s easy to let these photos go—to leave them at the venue, hand them over to the funeral home, or toss them in the trash.
Don’t.
What to keep:
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All photos and copies of photos: Even duplicates. You can always share them with family later.
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Memory boards: If the funeral home created a display, ask to keep it. If there are loose photos scattered around, collect them all.
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Slideshow files and digital photos: Ask for copies of any digital presentations or video tributes. These aren’t just photos—they’re a curated collection of your loved one’s life.
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Photo albums and scrapbooks: If family members brought albums to share, ask if you can keep them or make copies.
Why it matters: Photos are irreplaceable. They capture moments you might have forgotten or never known existed. They become a family archive, connecting generations and keeping your loved one’s story alive.
4. Personal Effects and Small Treasures
This is the category that’s most often overlooked. At the end of a funeral, there are often small items left behind—things that belonged to your loved one or were used during the service.
What to keep:
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Jewelry, watches, and accessories: These items carry personal meaning. They were worn, touched, and loved by your family member.
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Clothing and accessories: A favorite scarf, a worn hat, a pair of glasses. These pieces of clothing hold your loved one’s scent and presence in a way that nothing else can.
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Keepsake items: A prayer book, a rosary, a favorite book, or a small trinket. Anything that was meaningful to them.
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Letters and journals: If your loved one kept a journal or wrote letters, they’re a window into their inner life. Even if they feel private, they are part of their legacy.
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Collections and hobbies: If they were a collector or had a hobby, some of their things might be at the funeral—a quilt, a painting, a set of tools. Don’t let them disappear.
Why it matters: These small items tell the story of your loved one’s life—the things they loved, the things they wore, the things they held dear. They’re tactile connections to the person you’ve lost.
What to Do With These Items
Now that you know what to keep, let’s talk about what to do with them.
Organize them. Put them in a box, a memory chest, or a scrapbook. Label them clearly. You might not want to look at them right away, but they should be safe and accessible for when you’re ready.
Share them. Pass them around to family members. Someone might treasure a photo you didn’t think was important. Someone might want a letter or a small memento.
Preserve them. Photographs and paper items fade over time. Store them in acid-free boxes, scan them, or consider professional preservation.
Honor them. Use the items to tell your loved one’s story. Display a photo. Frame a letter. Wear a piece of jewelry. Keep their memory alive in tangible ways.
Don’t rush. You don’t have to decide everything in a day. If you’re not sure about an item, keep it. You can always let it go later—but you can’t get it back once it’s thrown away.
