How to Create an Online Memorial Page
You can publish a memorial with just their name. A photo, and the time and place of any visitation or funeral, go on the card. The story can be written later.
In the first days after a death, few people are ready to write a life story. Some memorial sites ask for one before anyone can see the page. Candela lets you publish with just their name, and everything else can be added later.
Whether they died this week or many years ago, you can start here.
Step 1: Their name
Use the name they were known by. If everyone called her Nana Rose, that can be the name on the page. You can add their legal name later.
Their name is all you need to publish. You do not have to write anything else first.
Step 2: One photo, if you have it
One photo is enough for the page and the card. An everyday photo often looks more like them than a studio portrait. If you do not have one close at hand, skip this step and add a photo later.
Step 3: The visitation and the funeral
Add the visitation, the funeral, a memorial service or a religious service, or a 40-day memorial, with the date, time, and place of each if you have them. On an iPhone, everyone who has the card sees it on their lock screen on the day, with the time and the place.
An approximate time is fine. If you change the time later, the card updates on everyone's phone.
Step 4: Publish, then add the card
Publish the page so you have a link to send. Then add the card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Family and guests can add it from the page too.
Once the page is published, everyone you send the link to can add the card to their phone.
Later, if you want
After the page is published, you can add more whenever you are ready:
- The story. Write it when you can, or use the obituary writer to write a draft you can edit. You do not need it to publish.
- More photos. The photo gallery can grow over time. It does not need to be finished on the first day.
- Invitations and the guestbook. Send the link so family and friends can write in the guestbook. You can review entries before they appear if you need to.
- Dates to remember. Their birthday, the anniversary of their death, or a date your family or faith keeps, like a memorial Mass or a 40-day memorial. On an iPhone, the card also appears on the lock screen on those dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to create an online memorial page?
You only need their name to publish the page. Many people add a photo and the times of the visitation and the funeral at the same time. The story, the photo gallery, and the guestbook can be added later.
Do I need technical skills to create a memorial page?
No. Type the name they were known by. If you like, add a photo of them and the times of the visitation and the funeral. Then publish the page, and the card can be added to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet from there.
Do I have to write an obituary first?
No. The page can be published without a life story. You can write it later, or not at all. Family and friends can leave memories in the guestbook when they are ready.
Can I create a memorial for someone who passed years ago?
Yes. There is no time limit. Even with just their name and one photo, the memorial is a place people can return to.
What if I do not have many photos?
One photo is enough for the page and the Wallet card. You can add more later, and family members can share photos you do not have.
Start with their name
It is free, and you can publish before you write anything.
Create their memorial