A while back a blogger friend at Far Side of Fifty blog made a post about a Funeral Book and I was surprised to learn that some commenters didn't know what that was. I assumed that was a normal thing that the family got when they planned a funeral. But I guess it's not. So not only am I sharing a funeral book but also my funeral box. But first the Funeral Book.
A Funeral Book for those that don't know is a book that the funeral home gives you with the name and information of the family member you are having the funeral for. The book is left out so that guests can sign their name also.
This is my mom's Funeral Book. This page is the Pallbearers- the people who carrier her casket at her funeral.
A list of her family on this page.
People at the funeral who signed the book.
There are poems that we the family picked out throughout the book.
Her information like her birthdate and where she was born is also in the book. It's a nice memento to keep.
I mentioned I have a funeral box. I just call it that because it's filled with mementos of family members who have passed on. I kept their birth certificates, death certificates, funeral book if I have it, floral cards and wallets-just how they left them at the time of their deaths.
These are my mom's floral cards. They are the cards that were attached to any flowers that were sent from family and friends to the funeral.
These are my grandfathers floral cards.
I also have the wallets of my mom, grandfather and my late husband. My step father didn't have a wallet but I have the ID cards he had in his pocket. My daughter told me I should make up a wallet of my own to put in the box of some old ID's and such in case something happens to the wallet I have on me at the time of my death. It might sound creepy to others but I have started putting together a wallet to add to this box. My daughter likes the idea of that type of momento too.
Do you keep these types of mementos?
Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal and meaningful post. Your funeral box is a beautiful way to honor and remember your loved ones. I’ve heard of funeral books before, but I hadn’t realized how detailed and thoughtful they can be—almost like a gentle archive of a life well-lived. The floral cards, old wallets, and IDs add such a human touch, capturing a piece of who they were.
ReplyDeleteIt’s not creepy at all—it’s a powerful tribute and a comfort for those left behind. You've inspired me to think about how I preserve memories of my own loved ones.
Greetings from Indonesia
Thank you so much, I truly appreciate that.
DeleteKeeping these mementos must bring a sense of connection to their lives and the memories shared. I agree with Asep - it's not creepy at all. I think it's a meaningful way to honor and remember loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteI agree. Not in the slightest bit creepy but a powerful and loving way to remember them - and to remember people who loved them too.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that.
DeleteI have never heard of these - what a lovely idea they are and a wonderful way to remember and be reminded.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI did know what a funeral book was.
ReplyDeleteMy wife keeps certain items as well. Not sure it's all organized in one box though.
I had it in different cabinets until I put it all in one box.
DeleteWe had a little, private funeral for my dad. While we had a public one for my mom, I don't know if we had or kept such a book.
ReplyDeleteThe funeral home usually gives them out.
DeleteI inherited my father's funeral box when my mother died. So I have both of them now. I don't know what happened to my maternal grandmothers. It probably went to my great aunt and then to her daughter. It's a wonderful way to look back and remember family and the good times not the sad.
ReplyDeleteThe little mementos are a good way to look back and remember them.
DeleteI must confess that no, I do not keep these kinds of mementos.
ReplyDeleteThat's ok.
DeleteGood idea, love your book and box.
ReplyDeleteI had a book at the church for my mother similar to yours, also for my father.
I've kept cards like you have done and a few personal items from my mum and my father similar, but kept all his medals, certificates all together in a cupboard - called 'The Parents' cupboard. 😉
What a great idea.
DeleteI have a couple of funeral books, and have cards and memorabilia stashed somewhere. It would be a good idea to put everything in one place.
ReplyDeleteYes I had it all over the place until I put it all in one box.
DeleteI like the idea of your funeral box, and the wallets, too. It's nice to have those kind of mementos after a loved one passes. I have a drawer with some of my Dad's stuff in it...including his wallet.
ReplyDeleteYes, its nice to keep these types of things to remember them.
DeleteYes, I have funeral boxes for my dad and paternal grandparents. And I do have a wallet of my maternal grandfather that includes some military stuff from WW1, which is cool.
ReplyDeleteThat is cool.
DeleteGreat info about funeral boxes ~
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores ~ clm
aka (A Creaitve Harbor)
Thank you.
DeleteI have seen funeral books open to the pages where guests sign, but I guess I never turned the page back to see what else was part of the book.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of info inside the books.
DeleteI haven't heard the book called "the funeral box," and have been involved with more than my share of funerals. I do have things from family members to remember them by: A desk box from my great-grandfather, a coin purse from a great-grandma, a gun from a grandfather, etc.
ReplyDeleteNo, it's two different things. The funeral book and the box I keep all the mementos in is what I call the funeral box.
DeleteIt's nice you have all of those things.
My mother ended up with those things. I think I saw them once when she was going through some old things (clippings and letters and such) 15 or so years ago. I don't know if she kept them. So, if she did, they'd be in my brother's possession now. I'll have to ask him if he has them. He kind of cleared out her stuff quickly after her death.
ReplyDeleteOh sorry to hear that. When my mom passed, my two brothers and I all went to her apartment and cleaned stuff out together.
DeleteOh, it's not like that. She was living with him at the time. And he's been very interested in storing the family's history. (He insisted our dad pass along his parents' slides from back in the day.) He mostly got rid of her clothes and such.
DeleteOh ok. Glad to hear.
DeleteI don't know if anyone does funeral books in Italy - I've never seen one (but then again, I have attended very few funerals). I don't think it's creepy, but I'm not sure keeping such things would make a difference for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm sure things are done differently in different places. I like keeping these things nad my daughter likes the idea of it too.
DeleteThank you for sharing such a personal and meaningful tradition. Funeral books and mementos like your box hold a quiet power—they keep memories alive and offer comfort through tangible connections to those we’ve lost. It’s a beautiful way to honor your family’s story and legacy.
ReplyDeleteNew post: www.melodyjacob.com
Thank you so much.
DeleteHow interesting. I've never seen nor heard of a funeral box. I've seen online memorials where you can say something about the deceased. My Creative Memories scrapbooks are like a history of the family, and I have included a few remnants of those who have passed on, like my mom’s funeral program, a funeral flower I preserved from the funeral of one of my brothers. I myself have made it clear I don’t want a funeral or memorial service, want nothing of me preserved. Either cremation or donate my remains to the Body Farm. I’m quiet in life, want to be quiet and not remembered in death.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that. I want to be cremated as well. I like doing scrapbook pages, but haven't done any like what you've done.
DeleteNot sure I would want a memory on such an event. We don't really have much time for planning a funeral in my country, you usually bury them two or three days tops after they die. When our father died, my brother was doing the bureaucracy around it and I spent those two days in the kitchen baking for the guests and then it was all done and finished in a weekend.
ReplyDeleteWow, we take a lot longer when necessary. We waited 2 weeks to have my moms funeral so other family could get flights out here and take time off from work.
DeleteThis is such a cool idea--I'm inspired!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteYes, I have one of those for each of my parents and there are several of their personal things included too.
ReplyDeleteI's a nice memento.
DeleteI have never heard of these, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
You're welcome.
DeleteThanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteFascinating! I remember seeing some of these books at funerals I have attended, but I don't know what became of them.
ReplyDeleteThe lady at the funeral home asked me and my siblings which one of us wanted it. So I got them.
DeleteI have seen this book at funerals and it makes me wonder who got my late mother in law's book from the funeral home. It wasn't to my husband (her oldest son's). Nor do I think it's creepy to keep a wallet. I know someone who lost his best friend on 9/11 and I believe his wallet was almost the only thing that survived and was found - it must have become so precious to the friend's wife. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOh absolutely.
DeleteThat's a nice way to remember your loved ones. I hope making the box brought you comfort.
ReplyDeleteIt did, thank you.
DeleteI had no idea what it was. It might be smth similar here, but I have never seen anything
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I could show you something new.
Delete