Hiring A Photographer For A Memorial Service: What You Need To Know

A photographer can capture significant moments during a memorial service and provide a visual record of the event. Although the day is likely to be extremely somber, the memorial service itself is often at least partially a celebration of who the person was, the way they lived their life, and the love that others had for them. A photographer can capture these positive things, which can be especially meaningful if the deceased had young children who can't fully comprehend the significance of the memorial service until they are older. Here's what you need to know if you're considering a photographer for the service.

Be Confident in Your Decision

Make your motives behind the photographs clear, and be sure to discuss the photography with those closest to your loved one thoroughly before the memorial service. Try to meet any requests that they may have, and honor their preferences. If the deceased is your spouse, child, or parent, you have the right to make any decision you want on the photography. If not, defer to the wishes of the closest family members. Contact the funeral home, like the Richard H Keenan Funeral Home, to make sure they allow photography during the service.

Have a Long Discussion with the Photographer

It's probably best to ask someone you know to photograph the funeral. Even if you don't know the photographer, be sure to schedule a meeting with them prior to the memorial service to discuss the following points:

• Let the photographer know if there are any people who should not be photographed at the event.
• Explain any situations or parts of the memorial service that are off-limits for photography. For example, some people choose to not have photographs of the deceased if it's an open-casket service.
• Make specific requests of moments you want captured. It is best to make a list prior to the discussion so you don't forget any. Give the list to the photographer so that they have a reminder as well.
• Plan how the two of you can communicate during the memorial service. Photographing funerals and memorial services is still not mainstream, so you may experience some negative feedback from others. You need to be able to be reached at all times in case someone does request that the photographer stop taking pictures.

Finally, keep in mind that everyone grieves in a different way, and everybody processes a memorial service differently. Some people may be repulsed by the idea of photographing the service, while others may request copies of the photographs for their own purposes. When you are in the midst of grief, you may not be able to take everything in. Having a photographer there will help document the moment and leave behind a record of the love and support that was expressed during the difficult time.