Memorial guide
How to make a memorial slideshow for a funeral
The short answer
A good memorial slideshow uses about 30 to 60 photos that span the person's whole life, runs 5 to 10 minutes, and is set to one to three meaningful songs. Choose a mix of candid and posed pictures, order them roughly by time, and keep each photo on screen 3 to 5 seconds. If the timing is hard, it can also be made for you from the photos on your phone.
Putting together a slideshow in the middle of grief is a lot to ask of anyone. This is a simple, unhurried walkthrough so it feels manageable — what to gather, how long it should be, and the small choices that make it land in the room.
There's no wrong way to do this. These are gentle guidelines, not rules.
The steps, start to finish
You can do this over an evening. Take breaks; it's emotional work.
- 1
Gather the photos
Pull together roughly 30 to 60 pictures that cover their whole life — childhood, young adulthood, family, the everyday moments. Ask a few relatives to text you their favorites; people always have ones you've never seen.
- 2
Choose a rough order
Most families go chronologically, from earliest to most recent, because it tells the story of a life. You can also group by theme — family, friends, the things they loved. Either works.
- 3
Pick one to three songs
Music carries the room. One song for a short slideshow, two or three for a longer one. Pick songs that were theirs, or that fit the feeling you want (see the song ideas below).
- 4
Set the timing
Aim for 3 to 5 seconds per photo, and a total length of 5 to 10 minutes. Longer than that and attention drifts; shorter can feel rushed. Let the music guide the pace.
- 5
Add gentle motion, if you can
A slow zoom or soft fade between photos keeps still images from feeling flat, and brings older pictures to life. Keep it subtle — the photos are the point.
- 6
Plan how it will play
For a wake or reception, set it to loop quietly on a screen. For the service itself, cue it once at the moment you've chosen. Test the sound in the room beforehand.
Songs that work for a memorial slideshow
A few that families return to, grouped by feeling. Pick what fits them.
Gentle and uplifting
"What a Wonderful World" (Louis Armstrong), "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (Israel Kamakawiwoʻole), "Three Little Birds" (Bob Marley).
Reflective
"Fields of Gold" (Sting or Eva Cassidy), "The Living Years" (Mike + The Mechanics), "Vincent" (Don McLean).
Faith and comfort
"You Raise Me Up" (Josh Groban), "Hallelujah" (Jeff Buckley or Leonard Cohen), "Amazing Grace."
Classic and personal
"My Way" (Frank Sinatra), "Wind Beneath My Wings" (Bette Midler), or simply their favorite song, whatever it was.
If you'd rather have it made for you
You can send the photos on your phone and watch a free preview of a gentle memorial film before you decide. There's no rush and no payment to see it.
Common questions
- How many photos should a memorial slideshow have?
- About 30 to 60 photos works well for a 5 to 10 minute slideshow at roughly 3 to 5 seconds each. Choose pictures that span their whole life and mix candid shots with posed ones so it feels like them.
- How long should a funeral slideshow be?
- Five to ten minutes is the sweet spot. Long enough to tell the story of a life, short enough to hold everyone's attention during a service or reception.
- What songs are good for a memorial slideshow?
- Songs that were meaningful to them, or ones that fit the feeling — gentle favorites like "What a Wonderful World" or "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," reflective choices like "Fields of Gold," or a song of faith like "Amazing Grace." One to three songs is usually enough.
- Can someone make the memorial slideshow for me?
- Yes. If the timing is hard or you'd rather not build it yourself, My Video Gift can make a memorial film from the photos on your phone, set gently in motion, with a free preview to watch before you decide anything.
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Last updated July 7, 2026 · Written by Adam Kling, founder of My Video Gift. Song and idea suggestions verified July 7, 2026.