Virtual & Hybrid Memorial Services
Mindful Planning | Easy Technology | One-on-One Support
When communities of friends and family are geographically separated by miles, we bring everyone together for a connective and moving experience.
Holding Space Events reimagines end-of-life Memorial Services so that everyone can attend and participate in the essential ritual of honoring a loved one. Organizing a memorial is hard and overwhelming. Our approach combines planning with purpose and intention, easy-to-use technology, and dedicated support, throughout an unfamiliar process.
Schedule a Call with a Planning Facilitator
Schedule a time to speak with a member of our planning team. During this discovery meeting we’ll share an overview of how we’ll work with you, to plan a meaningful virtual event that everyone can attend.
Are you feeling overwhelmed and have questions about how it works?
We are here for you with structure, collaborative tools, and many options to share. We’ll explain how we will support you throughout, and answer all of your questions.
“Relieved,” “lighter” and “excited” for this event, are adjectives that we hear most often, after an initial consultation.
Do you have a specific date in mind?
Great - we’ll check our availability during the consultation.
Not sure when or where to plan a Memorial Event?
We’ll share some scheduling considerations to help you decide on a date and location. In fact, we can share considerations for all virtual memorial arrangement details. There is a reason for everything we do and we’re ready to share options.
What’s the difference between a funeral and a celebration of life?
A traditional funeral usually occurs within a week or two of a loved one's passing, while a celebration of life is held without a casket and can be held in the weeks or months after death.
Many families have a funeral, followed by a celebration of life. The focus of a celebration of life is not on death, rather on celebrating their loved one's passions, achievements and intellectual pursuits. It’s about storytelling and highlighting how your loved one brought joy into the lives of others.
What are the next steps to begin?
We take detailed notes during our initial meeting, so the planning process has already begun. A formal planning meeting is scheduled and we assemble your custom planning tools. First up is creating a digital event announcement and Event Information page, so that everyone know when the service is scheduled. At the planning meeting we’ll ask you lots of questions and share options as we identify meaningful program elements. Upcoming deadlines are called out and gentle reminders will be shared along the way.
There are many more Frequently Asked Questions in our Resources section.
GETTING STARTED
The Planning Process
The planning process begins during our first conversation. Your dedicated planning facilitator will collaborate with you to incorporate elements reflective of your loved ones personality, values, and what brought them joy.
Celebration of Life Programs may look similar, but the planning process is different for every event. Here are some commonly asked questions about the planning process:
What if I never planned a memorial event before?
While most of the families that we work with have never planned a memorial event, this is all that we do. We know that you have lots of content, logistical, and technical questions. You may worry that you didn’t ask all of the “right” questions… We know what questions to ask you to develop a meaningful program.
Is there a program template?
Yes, it’s part of a comprehensive workbook that we create for each event that also includes placeholders for all elements and links to upload media (photos, video and music) into organized folders. Your dedicated planner will share the workbook with you during the your planning meeting.
Event Announcement & Information Page
We create an Event Announcement and Event Information page for each event.
The Event Announcement (on the left) includes a link to the Event Information Page that has all of the event related details. Here’s a sample.
This page is created by Holding Space Events and is customizable to include virtual and hybrid event details, what to expect and what to bring details, directions and lodging information for in-person guests, an obituary, donations in lieu of flowers, and a link for guests to share a private messages and pohtos.
Sample Event Digital Announcement
Technical Walkthrough Rehearsal
A technical walkthrough, is usually scheduled 48 hours before each event, with your planning and technical facilitators, along with all the speakers and performers. We set up the hybrid components if a group will gather in one location (i.e. living room, funeral home, house of worship, reception hall), we will work with you to set up the audiovisual connection between all large screen and the virtual gathering. Here are some commonly asked questions about the technical walkthrough:
Do I have to rehearse my speech at the Walkthrough?
No. During this technical walkthrough, speakers are not expected to share their prepared remarks. Our goal is to confirm everyone can log into the event, check microphones, cameras, and lighting to ensure we can hear speakers, and make necessary adjustments.
Will you help us set up a viewing area for guests?
Yes, that’s an essential part of the walkthrough. Your planning facilitator discuss the in-person set up prior to the Walkthrough.
Event Day
With all of the preparation complete, your focus remains solely on being fully present to celebrate the life of your loved one and receive the support of friends and family.
What happens at the Pre-event A/V check?
All speakers join 30 minutes before the event start time. Our facilitators will do a final check with all the speakers to confirm audiovisual equipment settings and review the program order.
What do guests see as they arrive?
Virtual event guests typically join shortly before the event start time. Once the Speaker AV check is complete, as guests join, we share the event program along with custom music selections.
How does the event begin?
Once we are ready to start, the Holding Space facilitator will introduce themself and provide some brief instructions on navigating between speaker and gallery views in Zoom on various devices, explain the audio settings, announce that the event is being recorded and then introduce the first speaker.
We then seamlessly transition between program elements, including a facilitated story sharing section, when all guests are invited to share their favorites memories or stories about the honoree. This is an organized process and our team handles all of the muting and unmuting of guests audio. It’s often the favorite part of the event for many families and friends.
After the Event
What happens after the event?
Approximately 48 hours after the event you’ll receive the following post event material:
Event Recording
Event Slideshow created by Holding Space Events Media Team
List of Guests from Zoom
Content of the Zoom Chat and Virtual Guest Book.
The Event Information Page is updated with the event recording.
Holding Space Events makes a donation in your loved ones name to plant a tree through One Tree Planted, an organization dedicated to reforestation efforts around the world.