Celebration of Life Slideshow: What to Include

We are sorry for your loss. A celebration of life is often lighter than a funeral, and the slideshow can be too: the trips, the jokes, the people.

Include: childhood to recent years, the moments people smile at, group photos, a favorite portrait to close.

Length: 3 to 6 minutes seated, or a longer loop while people mingle.

Play it: an MP4 on a USB stick; ask the venue about a screen and speakers.

Cost: free if you make it yourself; about $129 to $299 done for you.

What to include

Childhood to the most recent years, roughly in order.
The moments people will smile at: holidays, hobbies, the dog, the kitchen.
Group photos, so friends see themselves in the story.
A favorite portrait to close, with their name and dates.

Sample film poster: Faro and Doris Caudill with their daughter at home, 1940 — A sample film (2:52): Faro and Doris Caudill and their daughter, homesteaders in Pie Town, New Mexico, in 1940, made from public-domain Library of Congress photographs by Russell Lee. Your film uses only your photos.

A simple running order

Their name and dates, over a favorite photo.
Childhood and family.
Growing up: school, first jobs, friends.
Love and the family they made.
Work, hobbies, the places they went.
The last years, with the people closest to them.
A closing portrait.

How long to make it

Three to six minutes for a seated moment, or a longer loop that plays while people mingle. At about 5 seconds a photo, 40 photos run a little over 3 minutes. See how many photos you need.

Music

Celebrations often use the songs they loved rather than hymns: look at what they played most, or ask family to suggest one song each. One or two songs is plenty for a short film; for a loop, a calm instrumental keeps conversation easy. Every Remembered Film comes with original instrumental music composed for it. Requests for specific songs are not available.

Playing it at the venue

Restaurants, halls and parks rarely have the setup a funeral home has. Ask before the day:

Is there a TV or projector, and does it take a USB stick or a laptop?
Can sound be played through speakers?
Who will press play?

An MP4 file is the safest choice: almost any TV, laptop or projector plays it. Bring a copy on a USB stick, keep one on your phone, and test it the day before.

Prices as listed on public price pages, read October 31, 2026: Fiverr memorial slideshow gigs (from $25), Milestone Slideshows ($129), Tributes by Tomorrow ($149), VideoMVP ($179 to $299), Everlasting Studios (from $299.99), EverPresent ($599) and Harmonicove ($695).

If you are making a film for a service this week: send up to 10 photos and watch a free 30-second preview of their film in about two minutes. The full film is $199, ready within 24 hours of your photos.

Free previews are open now. Paying for the full film is not open yet: your private preview page shows the button when it is.

See a free preview first

What should be in a celebration of life slideshow?

Photos from childhood to recent years, roughly in order, the moments people will smile at, group photos with friends and family, and a favorite portrait to close with their name and dates.

How long should a celebration of life slideshow be?

Three to six minutes for a seated moment, or a longer loop while people mingle. At about 5 seconds a photo, 40 photos run a little over 3 minutes.

What format plays at a venue?

An MP4 file, which almost any TV, laptop or projector plays. Bring it on a USB stick, keep a copy on your phone and test it the day before.

Can I see a preview before I pay?

Yes. Send up to 10 photos to Remembered Film and a free 30-second preview of their film appears in about two minutes. The full film is $199.

More guides

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