Celebrations Gallery
Secret in the Sauce
Secret revealed. Celebration enjoyed.
White-Water Rapture
Honoring an adventurous spirit.
Passion Play
A ceremony for golfers.
A Shimmering Remembrance
A memorial for the matriarch.
Cultivate What's Personal
A gardener's love celebrated.
Homage to the open road: Reginald "Dude" Lawson
Not long after he learned how to walk, he learned how to ride. A bright-blue Schwinn gave way to a moped soon enough, and before long the course was set — as was his own compass for the open road. At 19, he used his savings from working nights and weekends at the A&P to buy his first motorcycle: a second-hand beauty which led him to freedom, more than a few back-road adventures and — somewhere in Arizona — the nickname "Dude." So when it came time for a fitting memorial, his friends knew just what to do — nothing short of a motorcycle motorcade, heading straight into the chapel. Riding was his passion, so naturally that's how he should be chaperoned to his next destination. By working with Dignity Memorial® professionals, his vintage motorcycle group mapped the whole ceremony out — right down to the bouquets in vintage oilcans and 1947 Indian motorcycle key rings for guests. Heaven has no speed limit, so you go, Dude!
Celebrations Gallery
Secret in the Sauce
Secret revealed. Celebration enjoyed.
Passion for the Road
Riding toward a one-of-a-kind memorial.
Passion Play
A ceremony for golfers.
A Shimmering Remembrance
A memorial for the matriarch.
Cultivate What's Personal
A gardener's love celebrated.
The joy of paddling celebrated: Pat Nguyen
She first picked up a paddle in summer camp, and that was all it took to spark a lifetime passion. For their honeymoon, she and Evan traveled to Alaska to kayak amid the grandeur of glaciers and in the presence of remarkable wildlife. She became a certified instructor and on weekends encouraged others to experience the peace and wonder of being on the water. For her memorial, it wasn't hard to figure out what to plan. Her passion led the way, and the professionals at Dignity Memorial® handled all the details. It was an outdoor ceremony with candles in seashells, oysters on the half shell and the most personal of all touches: her fellow paddlers carried her urn in the beautiful kayak she had made by hand. Her husband had even arranged for a custom headstone to be made with a paddle and the words "Keep on paddling!" No doubt that's exactly what she's doing at this very moment.
Celebrations Gallery
Passion for the Road
Riding toward a one-of-a-kind memorial.
White-Water Rapture
Honoring an adventurous spirit.
Passion Play
A ceremony for golfers.
A Shimmering Remembrance
A memorial for the matriarch.
Cultivate What's Personal
A gardener's love celebrated.
One spicy send-off: Bill Malone
A guy like Bill could start a party just by entering a room. He was big in stature and generous in spirit — except when it came to his BBQ sauce. Everyone, including his pastor, had tried to pry that recipe out of him for decades, without success. They all thought he'd take it to his grave. Which is why he decided that his memorial service was the perfect place to "let the cat out of the bag." He planned the ceremony with us right down to the tablecloths — blue-and-white check, nothing too fancy. The main event was a down-home BBQ following his service — short ribs, brisket and chicken — right on the well-manicured grounds of the cemetery. He wanted a country band to keep things lively, and we helped him find one that certainly did. He also arranged for each guest to take home a bottle of his signature sauce and a copy of the no-longer-secret recipe. Now his spicy legacy will definitely live on.
Celebrations Gallery
Secret in the Sauce
Secret revealed. Celebration enjoyed.
Passion for the Road
Riding toward a one-of-a-kind memorial.
White-Water Rapture
Honoring an adventurous spirit.
Passion Play
A ceremony for golfers.
A Shimmering Remembrance
A memorial for the matriarch.
Cultivate what's personal: A gardener's love celebrated
There's one in almost every family — the aunt, sister, or cousin with the green thumb. While some can't keep a healthy houseplant, everything green seems to simply flourish under her loving care. For her funeral or memorial service, let her passion be the inspiration. Consider an outdoor service under a blooming trellis, with flower petals in her favorite colors lining a walkway. Custom seed packets as mementos for guests encourage them to plant new life in her honor, continuing her legacy. The music? Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" might be just right. Working with Dignity Memorial® funeral professionals, let your loved one's unique spirit plant the seeds of her perfect celebration.
Celebrations Gallery
Secret in the Sauce
Secret revealed. Celebration enjoyed.
Passion for the Road
Riding toward a one-of-a-kind memorial.
White-Water Rapture
Honoring an adventurous spirit.
A Shimmering Remembrance
A memorial for the matriarch.
Cultivate What's Personal
A gardener's love celebrated.
Passion play: A ceremony for golfers
Almost everyone knows a golfer who loves spending life on the green. When it's time to plan the perfect memorial service for your favorite golfer, consider some elements inspired by her favorite pastime. The setting? An outdoor service with a putting green, of course. For guests, custom imprinted golf balls and tees as fitting mementos and club sandwiches on the menu. Add a string quartet as an elegant final foursome. Whatever her handicap on the course, Dignity Memorial® professionals can plan a beautifully inspired celebration to capture the essence of what she most enjoyed.
Celebrations Gallery
Secret in the Sauce
Secret revealed. Celebration enjoyed.
Passion for the Road
Riding toward a one-of-a-kind memorial.
White-Water Rapture
Honoring an adventurous spirit.
Passion Play
A ceremony for golfers.
Cultivate What's Personal
A gardener's love celebrated.
A shimmering remembrance: A memorial for the matriarch
She always dressed to the nines and would never be caught in anything without her pearls. So how do you plan the perfect funeral service for such a classy — and classic — lady? Start by encouraging guests to wear pearls in her honor. Layer in a pianist playing 1940s standards. Add cupcakes in her favorite color and topped with pearl embellishments. Lastly, a custom monument for a timeless memorial. When it's time to plan the service that perfectly captures the essence of you or someone you love, the professionals at Dignity Memorial® funeral homes and cemeteries are experts at offering little pearls of wisdom.
Inspiration starts here. Let's create a fitting tribute.
What drives you? Defines you? Whether it's a team, tune, talent or anything else under the sun — there are as many ways to celebrate a person's life as there are stars in the sky. And it's the things that make a person one of a kind that should be celebrated at their memorial. What will you choose?
Your memorial can be as unique as you'd like. Dignity Memorial® professionals take care of every little detail. It's your story. We help you celebrate it.
More Life CelebrationsSpark some celebration inspiration.
From a cappella to zydeco — and everything in between — imagine the possibilities for a memorial with truly personal meaning.
Click the images above for several creative memorial ideas — and be inspired to imagine the essence of your life's celebration.
From bagpipes to cupcakes to convertibles to putters, we can take everything that makes up who you are, string them together, and create a singular, heartfelt celebration that reflects your passion, personality, and individuality.
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From flowers and music to food and mementos — it's special personalization that makes a celebration memorable. Imagine draws on our years of experience to help you envision the possibilities.