Unique Ways to Share Someone’s Life Story

By: Lauren Griffith

When a loved one passes away, many people find comfort in sharing their stories with others to keep their memory alive.

There are many ways to preserve a loved one’s story after they pass away. Sharing stories of their life with funeral attendees, close friends, family members, or anyone you feel led to talk about your loved one with can make you feel closer to them after they pass.

Todd Griffin, Managing Director of Stuhr Funeral Home’s West Ashley Chapel, says, “Stuhr Funeral Home believes that every life matters and deserves to be celebrated in a unique and fitting way.”

Some unique ways Stuhr Funeral Home clients celebrated their lost loved one’s life story during their funeral included cranking Harley motorcycles in front of the funeral home and riding them to the procession and placing a farmer’s casket on top of his wooden spoke wagon for his funeral.

Another unique way to tie a loved one’s story into their funeral could be honoring their career during the service. For example, registered nurses often have the Nurse Honor Guard come to their funeral or visitation to provide a ceremony to recognize the years their loved one spent serving others.

Stuhr Funeral Home also assists veterans’ families in obtaining veteran benefits such as burial benefits, a burial flag, military honors such as folding and presenting the United States flag and playing “Taps,” and reimbursement or allowance for burial expenses.

Some other unique ways to share someone’s life story at their funeral could include playing a slideshow with photos from different stages of their life, playing a playlist of their favorite songs during the service, and telling important stories from their life during the funeral.

Todd Griffin says, “From the time the first guest arrives at the funeral until they leave, every interaction should be used to share or tell the unique life story of their lost loved one. This is done through photos, props from hobbies, background music appropriate for the deceased, memories shared, casket/urn selection, burial vault themes at the cemetery, food, printed memorial folder themes, etc. Using as many of our senses as possible is the most appropriate way to share and tell the story of a life well lived.”

Stuhr’s staff pride themselves on creating a fitting, unique service to honor the deceased properly.

During the first consultation with a family member, Todd Griffin asks questions to help him understand what was most important to the person whose funeral is being planned, what’s important to their family, and what story needs to be told.

“Some want things very simple and low-key, and others want things big and bold. My role is to ask questions that will help me understand how best to assist in telling this important story,” he says.

Stuhr Funeral Home, a trusted name in funeral service for more than 150 years, cares for families of those whose lives have ended. Stuhr Funeral Home is committed to providing quality arrangements to honor loved ones and family traditions. For more information about available funeral services, visit JHenryStuhr.com or call (843) 723-2524.