Thinking Beyond the Graveside - Creating a Memorial

There usually comes a time, after the passing of a family member, when you realize your loved one deserves to be remembered, but you're undecided about exactly how you would like to preserve and safeguard their memory; which leaves us wondering how we can best pay tribute to the memory of a beloved family member.

Traditionally families purchase gravestones or niches in cemeteries as places of lasting memory for their loved one in addition to cremation urns and keepsakes to keep at home as remembrances. Today, a new variety of options abounds that allows for a much wider variety of memorialization options that can be shared much more broadly and serve to impact those who may not be able to access the cemetery or location chosen for the memorial. 

Fortunately, we recognize today's technology makes memorialization both meaningful and affordable. Our firm offers you a variety of options to assist you in memorializing your loved on in the most fitting way. We invite you to read the memorialization insights and information below, and naturally; when you're ready to take the next step in preserving your loved one's legacy of memories, we ask you to call us at 828-680-9963.

Memorial Stationery

Our staff can produce your personalized memorial stationery by adding a picture, emblem, or personal photo of special significance.

We have a selection of several designs, for you to choose from. A complete line of acknowledgment cards, memorial folders, service programs, memorial bookmarks, register books and prayer cards are currently available. Give us a call at 828-680-9963 to discuss your memorial stationery needs.

funeral stationery

Online Memorials

Forty years ago it was commonly expected that an obituary for a loved one would be published in the print newspapers in the community or communities where the deceased resided for any length of time. But the continued decline in readership, due in large part to the Internet, has greatly affected this long-standing tradition. In fact, today's newspapers are changing the way they deal with obituary submissions: while some local newspapers publish obituaries or death notices at no charge to the family; others demand a rather significant publication fee, based on word count or the number of column inches used, and there is usually an extra fee for any photographs submitted for inclusion.

Today, There's the Internet

Fortunately, online memorials have taken the place of the print obituary or death notice, and Blue Ridge Funeral Service offers what we consider to be the finest example of online memorials, the Book of Memories™. Created by a team of award-winning web developers and designers lead by a funeral professional with over 25 years of experience, the Book of Memories™ is intended to provide your family with a permanent place to pay tribute to your loved one.

More About the Book of Memories™

Far more than a traditional obituary—which is usually published only once and has no interactivity at all—the Book of Memories™ Memorial Website is a fully-interactive archive of treasured photographs and stories remembered from their time spent with friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.

online memorials

You'll be able to invite others to visit the online memorial, where they can upload images, light a virtual memorial candle, send a sympathy card, share stories, write heart-felt messages of condolence, send a floral tribute to the funeral, or make a charitable donation in memory of your loved one. And the built-in social media integration means they can then “spread the word” about their addition to your loved one’s Book of Memories™ using Facebook and Twitter.

We offer the families we serve a Book of Memories™ memorial website with the intention that it gives you a measure of solace and comfort during the coming months. To arrange for a Book of Memories® memorial website for your loved one, call us today at 828-680-9963.