Photo presentations in Funerals

Lots of people opt to have a photo presentation at funeral ceremonies. It is a lovely way to visually pay tribute to your loved one.

When putting the photos together, I recommend that you include at least one of every family member. Think of all of the people that are important in the life of the person who has passed. Their partner, children and their partners, grandchildren/great grandchildren, parents, siblings and partners, nieces and nephews, friends, neighbours,work colleagues.

Generally speaking, the average length of a photo presentation is one song - one song is generally between 3 1/2 minutes and 5 minutes in total. So that the photos on the screen flash before your eyes too quickly, or at the other end of the scale, stay on the screen for a long period of time, you should compile roughly 50 photos. This is just a guide - but if you have an average length song, this is a good amount of photos so that everyone gets the opportunity to see the photos, and for a brief moment reminisce of those times.

Some people choose to do two songs - this is something that you work out with your celebrant or clergy as far as timing etc.

My only recommendation is to not have the photos playing in the background throughout the service. There are a couple of reasons for this.

Firstly, it can be very distracting. A person is speaking of your loved one, and no-one listens to what is being said because they are looking at the photos. People write eulogies and memories so they can be shared. So it is nice for the congregation to be able to hear and take in what is being spoken.

Secondly, if you put the photos to a song, everyone in the chapel has the chance to look at them, and think of where they were taken and what they were doing together at the time the photos were taken. Photos are very precious and a lovely way to reflect and reminisce.