Creating a tribute memory book is a wonderful way to honor a loved one who has passed. Memories and stories are therapeutic, allowing us to look back on good times and keep that person close in our hearts.
In a memory book, you can include photos with stories, quotes, memorabilia, and more that highlight what made that person special. You can also invite others to contribute their own content, creating a collaborative memorial that everyone can share.
Here’s how to make a tribute memory book:
1. Choose a Platform or DIY
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Decide whether you want to create the memory book yourself or use a professional service. There are platforms that make the process easier by allowing collaborators to add their own memories and photos. Alternatively, you can create the book from scratch using your preferred design software or a physical scrapbook.
This post will address both options, providing guidance on how to proceed with either choice, so keep reading to learn more!
2. Collect Pictures, Memories & Messages
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Start by collecting material for the book. You’ll want photos, stories, messages and memorabilia from the people who knew and loved the person who passed.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Consider Who’ll Contribute
Make a list of family, friends, coworkers, and anyone else who may want to contribute to the book. Ensure you include people from every facet of your loved one’s life. Reach out to these people via email, phone, or in person to gather their contributions.
Here are some ideas of who to contact:
- Immediate family members
- Extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles)
- Close friends
- Childhood friends
- Coworkers and colleagues
- Neighbors
- Members of their religious or spiritual community
- Members of any clubs or organizations they were part of (e.g., book club, sports teams)
- Healthcare providers or caregivers who had a special connection with them
- Teachers, mentors, or coaches from different stages of their life
- Local community members (e.g., favorite barista, hairdresser, or shop owner)
Ensure you include people from every facet of your loved one’s life. Reach out to these people via email, a professional platform like Newlywords, phone, or in person to gather their contributions.
Collect Photos That Matter
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Ask contributors to send any and all photos they have. Include photos that show stories, evoke good memories, or tell the life story of the deceased. Make sure to include details like the date the photo was taken, the names of people or pets, and the location. If you’re unsure, ask family members.
Then, choose the photos that show stories, bring back good memories or tell the life story of the deceased. Photos of their experiences, family and friends, vacations, milestones, and more are great options to include, since you may not be able to include every photo.
If you have photos that are well-worn or need improvements, you can edit them in a program like Photoshop to fix lighting, sharpness and coloring, or use a service like MyHeritage to fix or add color to old photos.
Share & Record Memories
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Write your own stories and gather stories from others. This can be through writing or digital recordings, which you can transcribe later. Use tools like Canva to make quotes and stories visual by adding related photos or graphics.
Here are some ideas and prompts for gathering memories that you can send people if they need some help, or to help you create sections in your book:
- Favorite Stories: Ask for a favorite story or memory they have with the person.
- “What is your most cherished memory with [Loved One’s Name]?”
- “Can you recall a funny or memorable moment you shared with [Loved One’s Name]?”
- Impactful Moments: Inquire about times when the person made a significant impact on their life.
- “How did [Loved One’s Name] influence your life?”
- “Can you share a moment when [Loved One’s Name] helped or inspired you?”
- Celebrations and Milestones: Request memories of special occasions or milestones.
- “Do you have any stories from celebrations or milestones with [Loved One’s Name]?”
- “What is a memorable holiday or birthday you spent with [Loved One’s Name]?”
- Everyday Moments: Encourage sharing of simple, everyday moments that were special.
- “What were some everyday activities or routines you shared with [Loved One’s Name]?”
- “What small, daily interactions do you miss most about [Loved One’s Name]?”
- Lessons Learned: Ask about lessons or values the person imparted.
- “What important lesson did you learn from [Loved One’s Name]?”
- “Can you share a piece of advice or wisdom from [Loved One’s Name] that you cherish?”
- Favorite Qualities: Inquire about their favorite qualities or characteristics.
- “What were some of [Loved One’s Name]’s best qualities?”
- “How would you describe [Loved One’s Name] to someone who never met them?”
- Funny or Quirky Memories: Request fun or quirky stories that showcase their personality.
- “Do you have any funny or quirky memories of [Loved One’s Name]?”
- “What were some of [Loved One’s Name]’s unique habits or sayings?”
- Photographs and Visuals: Suggest adding photos or visuals to accompany stories.
- “Do you have any photos that capture a special memory with [Loved One’s Name]?”
- “Can you find a picture that illustrates a story you’ve shared?”
Encourage contributors to write or record their memories in their own words, providing a personal and heartfelt touch to the tribute memory book.
Include Messages from Family & Friends
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Encourage family and friends to add messages for the deceased or for the family. This gives people a chance to express what they would want the loved one to know and can be therapeutic for everyone involved.
Think of Their Favorite Things
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Did your loved one have a talent, career or hobby or pet that they loved? Share it in the book! Whether they were an artist, gardener, dancer or something else, include photos and/or examples of their work. If your grandpa was a joker, write out some of his jokes and include them (possibly with images), or even artwork someone else created of your loved one, like a caricature or portrait.
If the person you’re commemorating had favorite artists, musicians, places they loved or movies, you can also include those in the book to remember their favorite things and memories associated with those things. If they were a part of a fundraising committee for charity, owned a business or something else, include memorabilia from those as well.
If you’re making a tribute memory book for a pet, you can include favorite toys and napping spots, for example.
3. Create a Structure
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After collecting all the materials, the next step is to look at what you’ve collected and decide how and in what sequence to organize the book. This could be a timeline or have varying sections with the different aspects of life you want to remember.
Figure Out The Structure & Sequence
The first step is figuring out the structure and sequence of the materials. You can organize the book as a timeline, by specific events like milestones, or with groups like family, friends, church group, book club, travel, and things of that nature.
Next, make sure you have all the information you need for each section. Get dates, locations, and names of people for all photos. Gather stories and information on each section to include in the book.
Design Page Layouts
If you’re designing the book digitally, choose a program for page layouts, like Adobe InDesign, and either use templates or design your own layouts. Consider:
- Themes to fit the subject matter of the page and/or sections;
- Page margin size;
- Page composition – how many photos on each page, what size should they be and where will they be placed?
- Text for each page – how much, where it goes and fonts/sizes;
- Background colors, patterns or images;
- Borders for photos, including shapes;
- Additional design elements, like if you’re going to include photos of things like handwritten recipes or type them out.
Format Correctly
Ensure all text and photos are in the correct file format and size. The final book should be formatted correctly for printing, usually as a PDF. Many online platforms like Newlywords include a free PDF of your book!
4. Send Invitations to Collaborators
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Send out invitations to contributors with clear instructions on what to provide and how to submit their materials. You can use email, social media, or a dedicated platform like Newlywords for this purpose.
5. Collect Contributions
Gather all contributions, including photos, stories, and messages. Follow up with reminders as needed to ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute.
6. Printing the Book
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Professional Printing Services
The next step is printing the book. You have some options:
- There are services that will print out everything and bind it in a book format for you, like at Staples;
- Some services let you design the book on the same platform where it gets printed;
- A service like Newlywords lets you make the whole process collaborative, so you can avoid handling all the files and inputting all the information yourself – people put in their own photos, text and memories, and you can edit and print all on the same website.
The process of printing a memory tribute book can get complicated, and the outcome might not come out great if you’re trying to execute this step alone. It can be a great weight off your shoulders to choose a professional platform that takes the work off of you for your own peace of mind to know it’s high quality, error-free and of lasting quality.
DIY Scrapbooking
If you want to make a scrapbook yourself, you’ll need to follow the above steps. Then, you’ll need to organize everything how you want it on each page, print out the pages and combine them into a book.
You can make your scrapbook as DIY as you want, from designing it all online and getting it printed, or placing pages in a book or binder with scrapbook pages you can buy from a craft store that you glue photos and memorabilia onto yourself.
You may also want to consider how many copies you’ll need. If you only want one book, you can use any of the above methods, but if you want copies to give to family and friends, it may be a better option to print the book since it’s more easily reproducible and won’t take as much time to finish and send out to people.
Making A Tribute Book With Newlywords
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Everything we’ve talked about so far is a normal part of the process of making a memory book to pay tribute to a loved one. However, getting professional help can be easier than having to gather everyone’s photos and stories, organize and format them yourself, print them out and create the book, all of which can be incredibly time-consuming, uncertain and possibly frustrating.
Today, services exist that make it easy to make a memory book where people have direct access to the book to add their own information. Plus, it doesn’t take the final control from you – you can still edit, add and refine as much as you need to before printing the final product. When the book is printed, it’s done in a professional, hard-cover format that can be prominently displayed on coffee tables or wherever to be admired for years to come.
This is why Newlywords decided to make memory books easier for people – they automate the entire process so it’s easy to create tribute memory books without the fuss. You just send out the book access to people on your list, they add their memories, and you check it over to edit as needed and order your copies.
Newlywords simplifies the creation of a tribute memory book by offering:
- Easy Invitations and Reminders: Invite others to contribute and send reminders as needed from the platform, taking some of the work off of yourself;
- Questionnaires for Contributors: Help people know what to write by sending out pre-made questionnaires;
- Multiple Layout Types: Choose from various layout options to include longer stories, shorter text, and numerous photos.
FAQs About Tribute Memory Books
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How do I write a memory of someone who passed away?
To write a memory of someone who passed away, start by reflecting on your favorite moments with them. Think about the times they made you laugh, supported you, or simply enjoyed life. Describe the scene, include details like sights, sounds, and feelings, and explain why this memory is significant to you. Be honest and heartfelt in your writing.
How do I write a book about someone who died?
Writing a book about someone who died involves gathering comprehensive information about their life. Interview family, friends, and colleagues, collect photos and documents, and write detailed chapters about different stages and aspects of their life. Include personal anecdotes, reflections, and the impact they had on others.
How do you write a heart touching tribute?
To write a heart touching tribute, speak from the heart. Start by expressing your love and admiration for the person, share specific memories that highlight their unique qualities, and describe the positive impact they had on your life and others. End with a message of gratitude and how you plan to honor their memory.
What is a tribute example?
A tribute example could be a written speech or a short paragraph that honors someone’s life and achievements. To write a short memorial tribute, focus on the key qualities and moments that defined the person. Examples include:
- “[Name] was a beacon of kindness and generosity, always ready to lend a hand or a listening ear. His laughter was contagious, and his love for his family and friends was boundless. We will forever cherish the memories of his warm hugs and wise words.”
- “Her unwavering spirit and compassionate heart left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.”
- “In loving memory of [Name], whose kindness and laughter brightened our days. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched. We miss you dearly, [Name}.”
What is a nice message to write when someone dies?
A nice message to write when someone dies could be: “My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. [Name] was a wonderful person who will be deeply missed. May their memory bring you comfort and strength.”
What is a good memorial quote?
A good memorial quote captures the essence of the person and provides comfort. For example: “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” — Helen Keller
Another good quote to say when someone dies could be: “Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.”
Some short sweet memorial quotes include:
- “Gone but never forgotten.”
- “Forever in our hearts.”
- “Your memory is a treasure we hold dear.”
- “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.”
Bottom Line
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Losing a loved one is never easy, but remembering them can bring you joy in times of grief. Tribute memory books are an amazing way to bring a smile to your face when you’re missing someone, and a great way to combine memories from everyone who knew the person. Helping everyone share memories, and knowing all these people have a copy of the stories, photos and memorabilia important to that special person, makes something sad become a way people can connect and share. Memory books let that person live on through their family, friends and stories. If you’re looking to make a collaborative tribute memory book, be sure to check out Newlywords and see if it’s a good fit for you!
