Choosing music and words
The right song and the right words can help a tribute video feel calm, personal and true to the person being remembered. This guide will help you choose music, verses and titles in a way that feels manageable, even when time is short.
Start with the person, not the playlist
When families begin planning a memorial tribute video, music is often the hardest part. It can feel like a very big decision because one song can change the whole feeling of the slideshow. A good place to start is not with a list of songs, but with the person’s character, faith, values, humour and the way family and friends will remember them.
Think about the mood you want the tribute to carry from beginning to end. Some families want something gentle and reflective. Others prefer warmth and gratitude, or a sense of quiet celebration. There is no single right approach. What matters is that the music and words feel honest and not forced.
- Ask what kind of person they were at home, with friends and with family.
- Think about whether the service will feel formal, spiritual, simple or more conversational.
- Choose a tone that suits the occasion: comforting, thankful, peaceful or uplifting.
- If there are several close family members involved, ask each person for one feeling they want the tribute to leave behind.
How to choose music that feels right
Music does not need to be grand to be meaningful. Often the best choice is a song that quietly supports the photos and clips without taking attention away from them. If the person loved a certain style, that can be a natural starting point. If not, families often choose music that reflects the tone of the service or words that are already being read during the memorial.
Try not to choose too many different moods in one video. A sudden shift from very solemn to very lively can feel jarring. It is usually better to keep the music consistent, or to move gently from reflective to hopeful. If there are home video clips with important original sound, let us know so the music can sit around those moments rather than compete with them.
- Choose songs that suit the person, not what feels expected.
- Keep the overall mood steady across the tribute.
- Consider whether lyrics support the tribute or distract from it.
- Tell us if there are must-use songs and if there are songs you would rather avoid.
- If you are unsure, send two or three options instead of ten. That can make the decision easier.
We use properly licensed music where needed, and we can also work with family preferences where suitable for the tribute. If you are uncertain, we can help you narrow down what feels appropriate and gentle.
Choosing verses, messages and short readings
Words in a memorial video should be short enough to read comfortably and meaningful enough to add weight without overwhelming the tribute. A simple opening line, a favourite verse, a brief family message or a closing thank you can be enough. Long passages can work in some cases, but on screen they often need careful editing so that people can absorb them during the service.
Families sometimes include a scripture reading, a poem, a saying the person often used, or a short note written by a child or grandchild. These can be deeply moving, especially when the wording sounds natural and familiar. Formal wording is not always better. Sometimes the simplest line says the most.
- Pick one main reading rather than several unrelated pieces.
- Keep on-screen text short and easy to read from the back of a hall or chapel.
- Use names and relationships carefully, especially in blended or extended families.
- Check spellings for surnames, nicknames and place names.
- If more than one person wants to contribute words, combine them into a single closing message where possible.
Titles and captions that work on screen
Titles give the video structure. They can open the tribute, mark a change in life stages and close the slideshow with a final thought. In most memorial videos, less is more. A clear opening title, a few gentle captions and a short closing line are often all that is needed.
Good titles are easy to read and emotionally steady. For example, many families choose the person’s full name, dates, a phrase such as “In Loving Memory”, or a simple line of thanks. Captions under photos are optional. They can help where there are old family pictures, group photos or images from different towns and periods of life, but too many captions can make the video feel busy.
If you would like captions, think about what viewers really need to know. A place name, a relationship or a life moment is usually enough. There is no need to explain every image, and that can actually make the tribute feel calmer and more dignified.
A simple checklist before you send everything
Before sending music choices, verses and title wording, it helps to do one careful review. This can prevent last-minute changes when funeral arrangements are already moving quickly. If family members are in different parts of South Africa, choose one person to gather the final wording and song choices so there is one clear version for us to work from.
- Final full name exactly as it should appear.
- Any opening or closing line you want included.
- Song choices in order of preference.
- Any reading, verse or poem, copied clearly.
- Correct spellings for family names and place names.
- Notes about any photo or clip that should have special focus.
- Any content you do not want used, even if it was sent by relatives.
If there is uncertainty between two songs or two wording options, tell us which one is your first choice. That helps keep things moving with less back and forth, especially when the service date is close.
When emotions are high and decisions feel heavy
It is very common for families to feel stuck on music and words. Grief can make even small choices feel exhausting. If that is where you are, try to simplify. Choose one song that feels kind and familiar, one short reading or message, and one clear title. That is enough for a meaningful tribute.
You do not need to create a perfect summary of a whole life in a few screens of text. The photos, clips and the person’s presence in those memories already carry a great deal. The role of music and words is to support that, not to say everything. A simple tribute can be very moving, sometimes more so because it feels quiet and sincere.
Families in Durbanville often drop off printed photos for scanning, while others send images and clips online from elsewhere in the country. In both cases, a calm shortlist and clearly written wording helps us shape the tribute with care. If you are unsure between sentimental and formal wording, the gentler option usually reads better on screen and feels more natural in the room.
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Questions we get asked
Can we include more than one song in the tribute video?
Yes, if it suits the length and flow of the tribute. Many families choose one or two pieces that keep the mood consistent rather than changing style too often.
What if our family cannot agree on the wording?
It often helps to keep the on-screen words short and neutral, then allow longer personal messages to be shared during the service. One family contact can gather the final agreed wording.
Can you help if we only have rough ideas for music and titles?
Yes. If you send a few preferences and the general tone you want, we can help shape the tribute so the music and wording feel appropriate and personal.
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