The Great Tribute: Funeral Trend Focuses on Life Lived, DVD Memorial Presentations and Personalization

As the trend of personalization and storytelling in funeral service grows, so does the need for DVD tributes that have impact.

Imagine sitting at a funeral service for your grandmother, as a DVD begins to play. The DVD Memorial Presentation starts with black and white photos from grandma's childhood, a photo from grandma's wedding, family photos of grandma, followed by an amazing photo of her holding her young blonde-haired grandson. Eva Cassidy's incredible voice sings "Over the Rainbow" in the background, as the photos seem to have movement on the screen, bringing memories to life.

Melody Harper, CEO and Founder of The Great Tribute in the South Bay community of Southern California, creates DVD Memorial Presentations for families after loss.

"People are moving toward personalization and party planning," Harper explains. "When given the opportunity, I ask people who have attended a recent funeral, if there was a movie shown. They say they have heard of DVD Memorial Presentations that are played at funeral services and they like the idea. The nice thing about DVD Memorial Presentations is that no two are the same. Each one is unique to the person and his or her life story."

Songs are used in the DVD Memorial Presentations that represent the deceased. Sometimes the families purchase music from iTunes and submit it for a DVD, taking a hands-on interest in the final presentation.

"I love music and we have over 1,000 great songs to offer," Harper says. "The music can make or break the quality of the movie. Most of the popular songs have words and they need to fit well. I always encourage the family to give me the era and all the songs they like, but let me choose. If they are not happy, I will re-work the movie with any song they want. Last month, a family requested 'In the Mood' for the main song but agreed to let me choose after all the pictures and video were submitted. I thought 'Twilight Time' fit so perfectly. After the preview, they were very happy."

There are many artists, songs and musical eras that The Great Tribute offers for DVDs. The 10 most popular musical selections that families use for The Great Tribute DVD Memorial Presentations reflect a certain time in history or capture the spirit of someone's personality or life story:

1. Oldies: Nat King Cole, Frankie Valli or Bobby Darin

2. Independent Woman: "I'm a Woman," Peggy Lee

3. Religious: "How Great Thou Art," Selah

4. Child: "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," Livingston Taylor

5. Long Illness: "You'll Never Walk Alone," Blues Singer Sara K.

6. Soundtrack: "Unchained Melody," Erich Kunzel

7. Meaningful: "I Will Follow You Into the Dark," Death Cab for Cutie

8. Enchanting: "Irish Lullabye," Bill Douglas

9. Feel Good and Uplifting: "Fallen," Pretty Woman Theme Song

10. Thinking Back: "Heavenly Days," Patty Griffin

Lead Out Songs:

"Feather theme" from the Forest Gump Soundtrack

"The Ludlows" from the Legends of The Fall Soundtrack

There are four basic steps to creating the DVD Memorial Presentations at The Great Tribute as Harper says, "The process is easy to create a DVD Memorial Presentation as we help guide families."

A. Submit Your Photos

Place Post-it Notes on backside of still photos and number in chronological order. We can also add landmark video clips or your home video footage.

B. Music Selection

Use your own songs or choose from our music library.

C. Submit Name, Birth and Death Dates

D. Quote for Closing Slide

Use your own quote or we will help ind the perfect quote for you.

The cost of a DVD Memorial Presentation through The Great Tribute is affordable. In fact, Harper says none of the families she has served have ever been concerned with the price compared to more expensive funeral items.

"The two most important tangible things left after the funeral service is over and everyone goes home are the Movie and the Audio of the Eulogy. These are the memories of the visual and spoken words that the family can continue to enjoy," Harper reminds. "The movie is very affordable. I compare the price of a casket ranging from $2,000 - $8,000 that the family will never see again to the $175 - $250 that they will have forever."

Harper has been moved by family reactions when they watch the DVD Memorial Presentations.

"By the time I am finished with the families, I have been thanked many times with their grateful words and then there are the tears during the preview. Family responses tell me that I got it right," Harper says. "I have received Thank You Notes by mail or e-mail, but truly it is the thankfulness from the families that keep me moving forward in this industry. I do give much more than I get paid for."

Harper believes it's important for a family to consider using a DVD Memorial Presentation in the funeral service.

"The Movie captures the memories of a loved one that a family can continue to enjoy, share and pass down to other generations. Honestly, I cannot imagine a service without a DVD Memorial Presentation. I would feel badly for anyone who was grieving a loved one not to have this lifetime opportunity. A tribute of moving photos set to music is truly an event that leaves friends and family smiling."

For more information or to view some of the DVD Memorial Presentations that The Great Tribute has created visit www.TheGreatTribute.com.

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