A funeral guest book is where guests sign their names, and often a short note, so the family knows who came and who to thank. A paper book sits at the entrance of the visitation or service. An online guest book on the memorial page lets people sign from anywhere, including those who couldn't attend. On H Memorials the online guest book is free, never expires, and lets guests leave an address for a thank you card if they want.
Examples of what to write
With love and prayers for your family. Rosie was a light at St. Anne's, and we will miss her.
Coach Bell taught me more than soccer. Thinking of all of you. Jamal (class of 2009)
We worked together at the post office for 22 years. He always had a joke ready. Rest easy, Ray.
Sending love from Chicago. I'm sorry I couldn't be there in person.
Your mother welcomed us into her home every Sunday. Our family keeps yours in our prayers.
Con cariño y oraciones para toda la familia. Que descanse en paz.
Paper or online?
Paper guest book: a keepsake of who was in the room. Put it at the entrance with a pen, and ask someone to invite guests to sign.
Online guest book: people sign from anywhere, before or after the service. Names arrive spelled the way the guest writes them, and the family can download the whole list.
The free guest book on H Memorials
Free, with no expiration and no renewal fee.
Guests sign on their phones at the service: the QR code on the program's entrance sign opens the program, with the guest book in it.
Only the family sees the guest book. It is not shown publicly.
Guests can choose to leave a mailing address for a thank you card. The family can print cards, envelopes and labels for free.
The family can remove any entry and download everything as a spreadsheet.
Questions
What do you write in a funeral guest book?+
Your full name, and if you like, how you knew the person or a short memory. One line is enough. Family members often read the guest book again years later, so a specific memory means a lot.
Is an online guest book free?+
On H Memorials, yes. It never expires and has no renewal fee, unlike some sites that have charged families to keep a guest book online.
Can the family download the guest book?+
Yes. The family can download the guest book as a spreadsheet, with names, notes and any addresses guests chose to leave.
Should we have a paper guest book too?+
Many families have both. The paper book is a keepsake of who came that day, and the online one collects names and notes from everyone else.
Every free memorial page includes an online guest book that never expires, and guests can sign it on their phones at the service.