As a gifted individual, one of the ways to market yourself and making money is by writing plaques for the families of the dead who might need it to make the tombstones of their loved ones more descriptive. The first step is by learning the 7 ideas of writing memorial plaques for celebration of life.
The memorial plaque, also known as commemorative plaque, is a plate of metal, ceramic, stone, wood, or other material, typically attached to a wall, stone, or other vertical surface, and bearing text or an image in relief, or both, to commemorate one or more persons, an event, a former use of the place, or some other thing. It can also be described as wooden, metal, or concrete plate commemorating a deceased person or persons, can be a simple form of church monument.
The 7 Important Ideas of Writing Memorial Plaques for Lost Loved Ones
Below are these brilliant steps or ideas you need to have:
1. Get a Captivating Opening
Many people will simply glance at the memorial, so you want to make sure the message is passed across quickly. Some of the most popular words include:
- In Memory of
- In Loving Memory
- Dedicated to the Memory of
- In Honor of
- Forever in Our Hearts
- A Life Well Lived
- In Treasured Memory of
- In Fondest Memory of
These common phrases, followed by the full name of the person honored, ensures that everyone quickly understands why the plaque is there. Those people who were known and loved in the community, or who lived most of their life with a nickname, always include that name in quotes to keep that loving memory intact.
2. Research a Meaningful Quote
Although this is not a must, many memorials include a quote that reflects the person’s beliefs, something in their own words, or a quote that refers to life and death. It helps show a little more about the person while adding a touch of eloquence to the memorial plaque.
If including a quote, it is best to write it with quotation marks and the person credited with saying it. For example:
- “Ours is not to reason why. Ours is but to do and die.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson.
- “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James.
Also write summaries such as:
- “Loving and devoted wife of John and mother of Sam.”
- “Her joyous laugh will be greatly missed.”
- “A dedicated father, husband and friend.”
3. Take Your Time and Find out Reason for the Plaque
Many memorials state the reason the plaque was installed. For example, if you were to place a plaque on a donated park bench, you might add something like: “To remember the cherished moments we spent in this park together.”
If it is someone involved in the community, it might state, “A strong member of the community donating 20-years of their time to improving the lives of children.”
This addition helps tell the story of the person and helps preserve their memory with respect. It also allows people who read it to reflect on their contributions and life.
While there might be time constraints on getting the words to the sign maker, you really shouldn’t rush your decision. Since the words will be etched in metal, you should reflect on the final message that best honors the person. Step back for a day or two and give yourself time to consider what you want to say. Speak to others who know the person, and consider where the plaque will be placed.
4. Think of the Size
Before you start composing a long bio, be sure to ask the plaque maker how many words will fit nicely on the plaque. If you get too wordy, you might lose people who won’t get the message. At the same time, you want to reflect on the person and present their story in a meaningful way. A word count helps you find the perfect wording and focus on creating something that really tells their story and why they are being honored efficiently.
5. Get to Find Your Inspiration
While the person being honored might be inspiration enough, it helps to do a little research to get more ideas. Some things that might help you find the right words include:
- A favorite song
- A poem they loved
- A line from a movie
- Religious references
- Famous quotes
- Something in their own words from social media, emails, letters, etc.
Research is especially helpful if you’re at a loss for words.
6. What About the Design?
While the words on the plaque are important, you should also consider how you wish them to appear. The key is to make them as legible as possible while remaining timeless. It can sometimes be tempting to be drawn in by trends or something fancy to add more importance to the plaque. But simplicity is always the best way to let the words remain the focus.
7. Seek Second Opinions
Once you get some ideas down on paper, share them with family and friends. See what words resonate the most with people before you commit to what you want to say. Listen to feedback, and see if anyone has other ideas you missed.
Often you get stuck in your memories of the person, which can make the plaque have meaning only to you. Your goal is to choose words that reflect the deceased, not their relationship with a particular person.
An excellent way to keep things more objective is to ask your sign maker what they think. They might spot things their experience has shown them won’t work or where you might have missed an opportunity.
