15 Funeral and Celebration of Life Favor Ideas
Giving a small favor or gift at the end of a funeral or celebration of life is a beautiful way to thank attendees for joining you and to remember the person who passed away. Funeral favors aren't mandatory or expected, but they're a wonderful way to show your appreciation.
What are funeral favors?
Funeral favors (also known as funeral mementos or keepsakes) are small gifts or tokens that are given to funeral, celebration of life and memorial service guests. They serve as a reminder of the life of the person who died and can be kept as a keepsake or used in memorial rituals.
There are many different types of funeral favors, from baked goods to trinkets. It's really up to you what you give, as long as it's something that will be meaningful to you and the people who receive it.
Is it okay if I don't give out funeral favors?
It's perfectly okay if you don't give out funeral favors! Some people choose not to for a variety of reasons. Maybe you're on a tight budget, maybe you don't think it's necessary, or maybe you don’t have an item that you want to give away. If you don't want to give out funeral favors, that's totally fine. You can also consider something that's less expensive, like giving out thank you cards or writing thank you notes after the service to those who chose to attend.
Funeral, memorial, and celebration of life favor ideas
There are many different types of funeral favors you can give out, and the best type will depend on your budget, the number of people attending, and what you find feels meaningful. Some of these ideas are DIY funeral favors for those who enjoy crafting things, while others are funeral giveaways and keepsakes that you can purchase online. In either case, the memorial gifts that you hand out will be sure to inspire and comfort guests.
1. Personalized matchbooks and remembrance candles
Sites like Etsy are great for finding beautiful customized funeral favors for a low price. For this funeral favor, purchase personalized matchbooks through a site like Etsy and pair the matchbook with a simple tealight candle for each guest. This will let guests light a candle in honor of your loved one whenever they feel the need to and is a great way to keep their memory alive.
2. Personalized seed packets
If you're looking for a funeral favor that's both meaningful and eco-friendly, look no further than personalized seed packets. These can be filled with any type of seed, from wildflowers to trees, and attendees will be able to remember your loved one every time they see the flowers or trees blooming.
3. Personalized spice packets
Personalized spice packets are another great funeral favor idea, especially if your loved one was known for their cooking. These can be filled with any type of spices, and attendees will be able to remember your loved one every time they use them in their cooking. If you’re not sure of what spices make good combinations, consider some of the following: cumin + cinnamon + chili powder, rosemary + oregano + salt + smoked paprika, and oregano + thyme + parsley + salt + garlic powder + onion powder). These are a great option for those who are into DIY gifts and want their loved one to live on through the lives of others.
4. Words of wisdom cards
Words of wisdom cards are a DIY memorial favor that's sure to be loved and appreciated by those who receive it. Purchase index cards or other cardstock and grab some writing utensils to create your cards. Fill the cards with quotes, sayings, or advice your loved one had that you think would be meaningful to others. They're a great way to share your loved one's wisdom with others and help keep their memory alive.
5. Memorial coins
If you're looking for a funeral favor that's both unique and meaningful, consider giving out memorial coins. These can be made with a loved one's face on them or simply have an inscription that reads "In memory of" followed by your loved one's name. They're a great way to keep your loved one's memory alive and are sure to be cherished by those who receive them.
6. Personalized keychains
Keychains make excellent funeral favors because they're both practical and sentimental. You can have keychains customized on sites like Ever Loved, and can even include a special message honoring your loved one.
7. Engraved memorial stones
Engraved memorial stones are a unique funeral favor that can be used as a paperweight, decoration, or simply kept as a cherished memento. These stones can be engraved with your loved one's name and dates, a quote, or any other special message and can be made from different types of stones.
8. Booklet of famous recipes
If your loved one was known for their cooking, consider making a booklet of their most loved recipes to give out as memorial keepsakes. This is a great way to share your loved one's talents with others and help keep their memory alive every time someone uses a recipe. You can either make the booklet yourself or have it professionally done. You can also include the recipes on notecards and have attendees pick and choose a single recipe to take with them.
9. Personalized memorial bookmarks
Memorial bookmarks are a great funeral favor for those who love to read. You can have these bookmarks customized with your loved one's name and dates, a quote, or any other special message. Memorial bookmarks are also a wonderful idea if your loved one was a bookworm and you want to encourage those that knew them to be the same.
10. Personalized memorial ribbons
A simple but beautiful memorial memento, memorial ribbons, can be made out of many different types, sizes, and colors of ribbons -- making them highly customizable and relatively inexpensive options. These ribbons can be customized with your loved one's name and dates, and can even be made in their favorite color. They're a great way to show your love and appreciation for those who have lost someone special.
11. Baby succulents
DId your loved one have a green thumb? Consider giving out baby succulents as celebration of life or memorial favors in their memory. These plants are easy to care for and can be kept indoors or outdoors, making them a great option for those who may not have a green thumb. Plus, they're a beautiful way to remember your loved one and add some nature to any space and you can easily personalize them by writing something on the pots or decorating the pots.
12. Tree saplings
Another great option to honor those who loved nature is to offer tree saplings as celebration of life or memorial favors. You can have the containers holding the saplings engraved with your loved one's name and dates, and they're a beautiful way to keep their memory alive. They also make great gifts for those who are looking to plant a memorial garden in honor of your loved one.
13. Hot chocolate mix
For a memorial favor that's both unique and delicious, consider giving out hot chocolate mix. You can have the packets customized with your loved one's name and dates, or even with a quote or special message. To specialize these favors, consider purchasing customizable mugs and including a small bag of marshmallows with each favor. This is a great way to show your love and appreciation for those who are grieving, and is sure to be appreciated, especially during the winter.
14. Bird seed favors
Bird seed favors make a unique and practical funeral favor for those who loved nature, birds, or the outdoors. These favors can be customized with your loved one's name and dates, or even with a quote or special message. They're also relatively inexpensive, easy to use, and are great for those who want a unique favor that they can use.
15. Personalized charms
For a funeral favor that's both unique and sentimental, consider giving out personalized charms. These charms can be made out of many different materials and can be customized with your loved one's name and dates, or even with a quote or special message. They're a great way to show your love and appreciation for those who are grieving, and can be added to a charm bracelet, necklace, or keychain.
These are just a few ideas for funeral and celebration of life favors that you can give out to your loved ones. Consider what your loved one enjoyed in life, what their hobbies were, or what would be most meaningful to those who knew them. With a little thought and creativity, you can come up with the perfect funeral favor to commemorate your loved one's life.
