At Lighten, we believe that a celebration of life guest book can go above and beyond the traditional compilation of signatures. It can take a creative form that reflects the personalized tone of the event. In this article, we offer ideas and creative alternatives to a traditional memorial or celebration of life guest book so that you may capture the words and memories from your attendees through a medium that is representative of your loved one’s uniqueness.
Photo Guest Books
Pictures are a beautiful way to recall momentous occasions, fun memories, and the spirit of your loved one. The following nontraditional guest book ideas incorporate photos to create a final product that can forever be cherished by friends and family.
A Photo Memories Collection
Rather than ask guests to sign a celebration of life guest book upon their arrival, one unique way to compile memories is to ask attendees to bring their “signature” with them. The idea is to have attendees find and copy their favorite photo of their loved one. They would then write a message on the back of the photo and bring this to the event. You may choose to collect these photo memories in a decorated box or jar, or you might have an area where guests can lay their photos out on a table. Another suggestion for displaying photos at the celebration of life event is to drape string and clothespins from which guests can then hang the photos. This guest book alternative results in a collection of photos that each carry a special meaning or memory about your loved one from those who love them.
A Framed Photo and Mat
You may also consider printing a large photo of your loved one and providing a mat that can be signed by attendees. After the celebration of life, this photo and the heartfelt messages can be displayed in a beautiful frame to keep the spirit of your loved one close.
Nature-Related Guest Books
If your loved one was passionate about nature, gardening, or simply had a favorite outdoor space, you can carry this aspect of their life into the celebration of life guest book.
Sentimental Tree Tags
One way you can bring your guest book into nature is by having guests create hanging tree tags. You may provide small wooden or plastic tags for attendees to write their name, a memory, or a quote. This idea can fit well into a memorial that is being hosted at home. Alternatively, if the celebration of life is not being held at home but the tags will be hung on a tree there, you can bring a photo of the tree and leave a description of how the tags will be used. If you plan to display them on a smaller tree or plant, you might bring the potted plant to wherever the event is being held.
Garden Stones
If your loved one was an avid gardener, or if you intend to create a memorial garden in their honor, memory stones may serve as a beautiful alternative to a celebration of life guest book. Small, flat river stones can provide a canvas for attendees to sign their names in permanent marker, which can be later sealed with an outdoor sealant spray paint. If you would like to give guests additional space for writing messages, you may also choose to provide a few larger stones for attendees to write on. Displaying these stones in a memorial garden can be a special way to include close family and friends in remembering your loved one.
Additional Alternatives
For a Sports Fanatic
For an individual known for their love of sports, providing an object for guests to sign that represents their favorite sport may create a unique keepsake. Items such as a basketball, a hockey stick, or a baseball bat may be symbolic options.
Attendee Artwork
You may also choose to create a piece of unique artwork that serves as a celebration of life guest book. To do so, you can provide attendees with an outline of a tree on a canvas, along with washable ink pads. Guests can then stamp their thumbprint and write their initials onto the canvas to create leaves that complete the scene. The finalized tree can symbolize the beauty of life, while also representing the care your loved one was surrounded with during their life. This is just one idea of a subject that can be created into an art piece, but you may be able to find an object or concept that most closely resembles the unique identity of your loved one.
Memory Jar
While a traditional celebration of life guest book can be provided with space for both a signature and a short description of a memory, a memory jar filled with folded slips of paper provides friends and family the opportunity to sit down and carefully unfold and reflect, one memory at a time.
Virtual Guestbook
A virtual celebration of life guest book is an opportunity for all who cared for your loved one to share a sentiment or memory, even if they could not attend the event itself. When you work with Lighten, we build you a personalized memorial website that includes an online guest book for family and friends to visit and sign.
Personalized Pages
A creative celebration of life guest book can be a personalized and meaningful keepsake that represents the beautiful life that your loved one led. If you are looking for a team to collaborate with on a personalized celebration of life, contact our team at Lighten.
