Reel4LifeHow to make a funeral tribute video
Updated
In short: ask many people for one memory each rather than doing it all yourself. Give each person a different question, collect short videos, voice notes, photos and stories, keep the film to three to eight minutes, and test it on the venue's screen before the day.
A tribute video at a funeral or celebration of life works best when it sounds like everyone who knew the person, not just the family member who stayed up late making it. Here's how to make one in the time you have, without it becoming one more burden in a hard week.
1. Decide who is organising, and set a deadline
One person keeps track of who has been asked and who has replied. Set the deadline at least a day before the service so there's time to put it together and test it. If the service is in a week, a deadline in four or five days works.
2. Ask more people than you think
Family know the person at home. Old school friends, colleagues, neighbours and people from their club or church know the stories family have never heard. Ask all of them. A personal message with a link gets far more replies than a general post.
3. Give each person a different question
"Please send a memory" produces thirty versions of the same kind words. A specific question produces a story. Give each person a question that suits how they knew them, and don't give the same question to everyone:
- What's your first memory of them?
- What were they like to work alongside on an ordinary day?
- What little habit of theirs will you always remember?
- Which story about them gets told at every family gathering?
- What did they teach you that you still carry?
- What would you want to say to them if you could?
There are more in questions to ask for a tribute.
4. Collect video, voice and photos, not just photos
A slideshow of photos is lovely; hearing the voices of the people in the room is what makes it land. Ask for a short video message (under two minutes) from those comfortable on camera, and a voice note from those who aren't. Ask everyone for one or two photos with a caption and the year.
For the photo book afterwards, ask for the original photo file rather than a screenshot or a photo forwarded through a messaging app, which are too small to print sharply.
5. Shape it into chapters
A running order that follows a life feels natural: beginnings, who they were, work, love and family, what they loved, the stories people retell, what they taught us, and a farewell. Open with a portrait and their name, and end with the names of everyone who contributed.
6. Keep it to three to eight minutes
Most services have a few minutes for a video (see how long a funeral slideshow should be). Choose the strongest moments rather than including everything, and keep the rest for the book, which has room for every photo and quote.
7. Music
Choose one or two pieces that suit the tone, and let the music dip under voices so people can be heard. If you'll share the film online later, use music you're licensed to share.
8. Test it on the day's screen
Ask the venue what they use and test the file on it. Bring a copy on a USB stick and have it on your phone; a phone can AirPlay or Chromecast to many TVs, or connect with a cable.
9. Afterwards: a book to keep
A printed photo book of the photos and quotes gives the family something to hold. Contributors often want their own copy.
Doing it with Reel4Life
Reel4Life does steps 2 to 9 with you: you invite people from your contacts or one shared link, each person picks from three questions chosen for how they knew them (most can only be answered once), and they add videos, voice notes, photos and stories from the app or any web browser. It then chooses and orders the moments into chapters, sets them to music and makes the film and a photo book. Quotes are always people's own words. It's free to make and preview; the full HD film and book are A$14.99 (about US$10) for the event. Memorial tribute videos.
Questions
How long should a funeral tribute video be?
Three to eight minutes suits most services: long enough for a story from each chapter of a life, short enough to hold the room. If there's a wake or reception, a longer version can play in the background.
How many photos do I need?
Roughly six to ten photos per minute of film if they're shown on their own, fewer if there are video messages and voice notes between them. Quality matters more than quantity.
Can I use any song?
Songs played at a venue are usually covered by the venue's music licence, but a film shared online may not be. If you plan to post it, use licensed music or the tracks that come with the app.
How do I play the video at the funeral?
Ask the venue what they use: a TV with HDMI, a projector, or a laptop. Test the file on their equipment before the day, and bring a copy on a USB stick and on your phone.
How quickly can it be done?
Two or three days is enough if you ask people straight away and set a clear deadline. A week is more comfortable.
Let everyone help
Reel4Life gathers the videos, voice notes, photos and stories for you, then makes the film and a photo book. Free to make and preview.