Funerals are more than a farewell—they are a celebration of a life well-lived. In recent years, a powerful trend has emerged in the way we honor loved ones: the use of memory tables. These thoughtfully curated displays offer a tangible and heartfelt way to share stories, memories, and the essence of the person being remembered. If you’re searching for unique and impactful funeral display ideas, look no further than memory tables. In this blog, we’ll explore the power of memory tables, creative ways to design them, and why they make a funeral or memorial service truly unforgettable.
Why Memory Tables Matter
A memory table is a visual tribute that tells the story of a loved one’s life. It can include photos, personal belongings, mementos, awards, and even favorite books or hobbies. By creating a space that reflects the personality, passions, and achievements of the deceased, memory tables help family and friends connect, reminisce, and celebrate shared experiences.
Because we know that most still prefer land burial via plots, estate and niches, we have struggled to make deals for land owners: two in NL and one in ST. However these proposed deals are fraught with difficulties:
1. In NL, we still do not have right of way. While we have given money to the land owner, the ROW issue to make their land legally accessible and OK for development has not been accomplished
2. In NL 2, we have done a great deal on the contract. While the land owner has 90% agreed on the T n C of the agreement, they find it difficult to come out with the inventories. They are rather suspicious. The project of course was previously an MP but LTS cancelled by DHSUD. They have not cleanly eliminated previous JV partner. We are in danger of losing it, if the land owner decides we ask for so many things. The broker who is difficult to deal with, doest not side with us We could have closed the deal blindly yesterday. Other parties who were dealing with them
dropped them probably over the same matters
3. The ST project
Challenges:
1. ROW compensation is stiff. Two previous land owner and developer will grant us ROW
We consulted the land owner but willing to give only 1/2 of what the owner of ROW would
grant
2. Issue with Estate tax of land owner. We are awaiting the govt official demanding this to retire
3. The other land owner:
1. Its an adverse deal to be because the new landowner bought land that has an existing JV
3. Approached our other partners to join forces with him and buy us out. What in the world Whew. Formerly a contractor for the govt for school buildings
And forgive their tresspasses. All these happening and they forgetting that our planning, thinking and execution creates wealth for them.
We will overcome these challenges. More courage. More determination. More problem solving
We are really at a loss even for words when we sympathize with the families and friends of someone who passed. away. Sometimes we foolishly and hurtingly say: Una una lang talaga iyan. Lahat ay mamatay. It happens to every one.
Instead of asking generic questions about their state of mind, it's helpful to affirm that someone grieving is going through a difficult time. "Acknowledge that what they're going through right now is very painful," suggests Soffer. Don't gloss over their feelings—let them have the chance to grieve fully and without judgment.
Sample phrases to say:
"It's really tough right now for you."
"It's a challenging time."
"This is difficult."
Phrase to Avoid: "How are you doing?"
When you offer this well-meaning phrase, the person is most likely hearing something different: "Please tell me you're doing ok because it's uncomfortable if you say you're not doing well," says Brennan. When faced with this question, people are more likely to respond with "fine" or "OK" rather than truthfully communicating their feelings.
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Focus on the Griever
Focus on the person who is experiencing pain at that moment. "Certainly the person is glad [their loved one is] not suffering anymore," says Brennan, "but it doesn't make the pain any different." It might be tempting to comment on the status of the person who died, but it's better to comfort the grieving individual.
Sample phrases to say:
"I'm sorry you're suffering."
"Your pain is understandable."
"I'm sorry you're hurting."
Phrase to Avoid: "They're in a better place."
During such a confusing and personal time, it's better to be cautious than assume a belief system that the griever might not subscribe to, says Brennan. This phrase can also seem to de-emphasize the pain the bereaved feels in the moment. The person is still gone and not with them—and that's what is hard about loss.
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Offer Specific Help
Brennan says people are more willing to accept support if it's specific rather than a wide-open offer. Think of tasks that may be challenging to complete while grieving and volunteer to take them off their to-do list. No task is too small, and your efforts will be appreciated.
"I'm bringing dinner for the week and will clean up your kitchen."
Phrase to Avoid: "Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you."
Though the intention is admirable, receiving multiple vague offers of support can be overwhelming for the person grieving. It also puts the responsibility on the bereaved to reach out for help, something they may be uncomfortable doing, especially during this difficult time.
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Ask About the Deceased
When dealing with the present pain of loss, it can be hard to look towards a future that's full of unknowns, says Soffer. Help someone grieving focus on the memories by asking specific questions about their loved one. While it's understandable you may not wish to remind a person of the loss and the fact that they're grieving, it's also OK (and often preferred) to speak about the recently deceased.
Sample phrases to say:
"Tell me about your loved one."
"What do you remember most about them?"
"Do you have a fond memory of your time together?"
Phrase to Avoid: "You can always…"
If someone loses a partner or a child, you might tell them they can always get remarried or have another child, thinking you're helping them see the silver lining. But to the bereaved, it can sound like you're suggesting a loved one is replaceable. "This plays on one of the biggest fears: that they will somehow forget that person and that they'll not be as important in their life in the future," says Brennan.
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Show Empathy
Approaching the bereaved with empathy is a great way to comfort them. Be sure not to compare your feelings to theirs, though. Brennan always recommends giving the person a chance to identify how they feel rather than speaking for them.
Sample phrases to say:
"I can imagine how you're feeling."
"I realize you're dealing with a lot."
"I'm sure this is difficult."
Phrase to Avoid: "I know how you feel."
Though everyone will at some time experience loss, it is an overwhelmingly personal experience. You're never truly able to know how someone experiences the loss and claiming that you do can feel invalidating. This is true even among family and relatives.
. When the wake is held in a household, cover all the mirrors with cloth.
They said that the dead tries to show themselves in mirrors, so they must be covered with a cloth. You must also avoid looking at your reflection in mirrors, too.
2. Family members aren’t allowed to take a bath or comb their hair in the house where the wake is being held.
But they can do it in another house.
3. Avoid sweeping the floors during a wake.
This applies most specially to family members. Apparently, cleaning means you’re trying to banish the spirit of the dead from the household.
4. Do not go straight at home right after attending a wake.
If you do, the dead will follow you home. Instead, drop by someplace else. Be it somebody else’s home, the neighborhood’s sari-sari store or the mall, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you do not directly go home.
5. Do not bring home the food served in a wake.
It’s customary for Filipinos to give takeout food to visitors, but it’s not practiced during a wake. They said you’ll bring bad luck if you take home the food with you. Another reason provided is so the dead won’t be hungry in the afterlife.
6. Avoid any tears from falling on the casket.
The spirit of the dead will have a difficult time transitioning to the afterlife if tears fall on the casket.
7. Pregnant women are discouraged to attend a wake or to look at the dead.
Doing so can serve as bad luck for the baby.
8. When the person who died is old, it’s good luck to eat the food served.
Many believe that you will gain the person’s luck of living into old age just by eating the food served in a wake.
9. Pinch anyone who sneezed during the wake.
Sneezing supposedly invites the dead to visit you. To avoid that, ask someone to pinch you.
10. The fist of the dead foresees the fortune of the family.
If the dead’s fist are clenched, it means that the family they left behind will have troubles with money. But if the palms are open, the family won’t have financial difficulties.
11. The dead shouldn’t be wearing shoes.
To avoid hearing the steps of the dead echo throughout the house, they must not be buried wearing shoes.
12. You must enclose cash on the hands of the dead during the wake, then take back the money before the funeral.
The money serves as the dead’s “pamasahe” on his way to the afterlife. It’s also said that anyone who uses the money or includes it in the capital to start a business will find success. Not spending the money can also bring luck to those who keep it.
13. Place a broken rosary on the hands of the dead.
Make sure that it’s broken so that there won’t be consecutive deaths in the family.
14. Immediately change clothes upon going home coming from a wake.
In Visayas, you must immediately take off the clothes you wore in a wake; don’t roam around the house and go to the second floor wearing the clothes.
15. It’s forbidden to eat malunggay during the wake.
In the Ilocos region, eating malunggay during a wake is forbidden because the manner of preparation strips the leaves one by one. Serving it in a wake might mean the relatives will also die one after the another.
Death respects no one. Its the great equalizer, not Denzel Washington. Really you cant take it with you. You are born with nothing and you leave with nothing.
And death makes equal the high and low. John Heywood
I’m Death, and I make sure that everyone is equal. Jacob Grimm
As men, we are all equal in the presence of death. Publilius Syrus
And they die an equal death — the idler and the man of mighty deeds. Homer
Death comes equally to us all, and makes us all equal when it comes. John Donne
No matter who you are, you will be put abed at last with a shovel. Austin O’Malley
When the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box. Italian Proverb
Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box. Italian Proverb
Sleep does make us all equal, it seems to me, like his big brother-Death. Arthur Schnitzler
Death doesn’t care about personalities – he’s more interested in meeting quotas. Jasper Fforde
Death does not discriminate; whether saints or sinners, in the end, all are equal. Tess Gerritsen
For all men are equal at the moment of death and who are we to judge them when a much greater judge awaits? Anthony Horowitz
Pale death approaches with equal step, and knocks indiscriminately at the door of the cottage, and the portals of the palace. Horace
In the democracy of the dead all men at last are equal. There is neither rank nor station nor prerogative in the republic of the grave. John James Ingalls
When death comes, it respects neither age nor merit. It sweeps from this earthly existence the sick and the strong, the rich and the poor, and should teach us to be prepared for death. Andrew Jackson
How terrible is Death to one man, yet to another it appears the greatest providence in nature; even to all ages and conditions it is the wish of some, relief of many, and the end of all. It puts us all upon a level; the prince and peasant are doomed to the same fate. Wellins Calcott
In life you may be poor or rich, but death is the great equalizer. The greatest communism is in death. Howsoever you live, it makes no difference; death happens equally. In life, equality is impossible; in death, inequality is impossible. Become aware of it, contemplate it. Rajneesh
Take me as godfather.” The man asked, “Who art thou?” “I am Death, and I make all equal.” Then said the man, “Thou art the right one, thou takest the rich as well as the poor, without distinction; thou shalt be godfather.” Death answered, “I will make thy child rich and famous, for he who has me for a friend can lack nothing. Jacob Grimm
It is our experience that despite the projection and estimate that cremation and columbarium will prosper, at least for our market, people still prefer below the ground traditional interment.
Pope Leo XIV questions the cremation in Catholic religion. So will Catholics avoid cremation.
This statement by Steve Jobs at Stanford commencement exercise stunned me. Really? It is an important invention of life. ? Then memorial parks (not Silicon Valley is the core of innovation) Because death clears away the old and allows the new to grow and prosper. No wonder there is a strong desire for people to acquire memorial parks despite limited supply and high price.
Thus death sucks in the old, the stale, the irrelevant and obsolete. (Very Schumpeterian) to draw in the new - the young and the innovative.
There was study if retaining the old and proven leaders turned out to be better than the young ones albeit inexperienced. The latter turned out to be better.
We taught about incubators at entrepreneurship and Silicon Valley as hotbed of entrepreneurship and innovation. Whats true is that death and memorial parks really drives up growth and progress.
Its no wonder that the space between the memorial park and the town, which used to be barren and ininhabited grew up to be developed and progressive. The progress included malls (like Gaisano) banks, hotels, resorts and many more
Incidentally this is the Gospel for todays mass Novemeber 23,, 2025 at todays St Clement Celebration in Angono Rizal
Many say that when we die we go to Heaven. But no one who has died and gone to heaven has reported what it looks like. May be Jesus Christ and or God knows how heaven looks like
But we are sure only that the Lord has told the thief that He will be with be the Lord in Paradise (not heaven) And Paradise means Garden.
The name Paradiso is of Italian origin, directly translating to "Paradise" in English. Its etymology traces back to the ancient Greek word "paradeisos," which originally meant "enclosed park" or "royal garden." This term was adopted into Latin and subsequently into Italian, evolving to signify a heavenly or idyllic place. The name carries strong connotations of beauty, peace, and perfection, often associated with religious or spiritual concepts of heaven. Derivable or associated names might include variations like Paradisa or similar names evoking idyllic imagery.
So may be we force the issue, that your dearly beloved shall be in a Garden. At Holy Gardens.
