All Videos Are NOT Created Equal
by Alan Naumann, Memory Vision, www.memoryvision.tv
Since producing my first memorial video in 1988, I have seen many changes in the video as well as the funeral industries. In 1988 funeral homes were unsure about using videos, and families were often uncerain if they should include this new technology to memorialize a loved one. Today the use of a memorial video - either at a visitation or as part of a service - has become not only accepted but is a vital part of the funeral/memorial process, many families will only use a funeral home if they are equipped to show a memorial video.
Video is a powerful tool to help keep the memory of a loved one alive. This is especially helpful for younger people who are perhaps experiencing the death of a loved one for the first time. A grandmother shared with me how her grieving grandson watched a memorial video over and over of his best friend - his grandfather - at the visitation. At the end of the evening this 7 year old was ecstatic that he would have his own personal copy. Video (memorial videos as well as a video of the service) helps the grieving process.
Unfortunately, some videos are unacceptable as far as quality is concerned, and have been a real disappointment to families with expectations of a quality keepsake video. Oftentimes families try to make the video themselves, only to find the DVD they made was incompatible with the equipment at the funeral home and wouldn't play. I have received many 11th hour emergency calls -most of which were too late to resolve. Many funeral homes attempt to produce their own videos using inexpensive software designed for the funeral industry. The problem with this is both the quality and the procedure itself. A funeral director chose to be a funeral director to help families and serve them during their time of need - NOT to be a video producer.
Ideally, hire a professional videographer or ask your funeral home if they offer a professional's services. Scott Mueller, the owner and operator of Mueller Memorial of St. Paul and White Bear Lake, offers a memorial video to each of his families as part of their service - at no extra charge to the family. The families often expect a "slide-show" yet are overwhelmed when they see the final production - a customized video that includes restored photos with movement time to music of the families' choice and personalized with a theme representing the life of a loved one. In an interview with the Minneapolis Star and Tribune, Mueller stated that choosing the photos for the video is an important part of the grieving process. "They sit down as a family to go through photo albums, and they're talking about all the times Dad threw water balloons or bought a new car. It focuses on 'how do we remember life rather than how do we say goodbye to this body.'" Mueller also talked about the importance of the memorial video at the visitation. "There are almost always light hearted pictures in the video that bring laughter, and laugher changes the mood instantly." (Star and Tribune - August 21, 2005).
Here are my suggestions regarding a memorial video. First, be sure to have one. A poorly produced video is still better than no video at all. If possible, don't settle for mediocrity. Start by selecting 30-50 meaningful photos (those that represent a person's life). Hire a professional to restore the photos so that they are in pristine condition for the video. Professionals have high end software, such as Photoshop and a high quality photo scanner, and the ability to create a video which includes movement and timing to selected music. Finally, the final product should be delivered on a high quality DVD with graphics printed on the disc itself (never use labels) so that from the very first look people can tell the care that has gone into producing the video. There are professional videographers who are committed to producing high quality memorial videos with a short turnaround time at a reasonable cost. To really honor a loved one a keep their memory alive, make sure the video is well produced and truly reflects thie life of the loved one.