The loss of someone close to us affects the way we see everything, even something as simple as our rituals. One such ritual, which has been practiced in Ireland for many years now, is the tradition of memorial cards. Kept in missals, carried in wallets, placed between the pages of prayer books, the little printed pieces serve as a reminder long after the removal and the funeral Mass. Should you be organizing the funeral of someone dear to you, or simply trying to learn more about the importance of this ritual, let us look at memorial cards in Ireland.
What Exactly Is a Memorial Card?
A memorial card is a type of card that bears the name and the dates of birth and death of the deceased person, a photograph, and also a verse or a prayer. In Ireland, this kind of card is handed out at funerals in Irish Catholic tradition and is left on the table during the removal or reposal so that each mourner could have his/her own memorial card to keep forever.
It is different from those temporary flowers and wreaths that become wilted after a week or so; families keep their memorial cards for decades. They may put them in Bibles or keep them in drawers and accumulate over time because of each passing grandmother, uncle, aunt, and even old friend. It is typical for Irish people and represents a very traditional way of paying respects that has remained non-digital.
Why the Tradition Has Lasted
A tangible object that one can feel gives comfort. Memorial cards are not reliant on charge, require no internet, and cannot be deleted due to changing algorithms of a social networking site. The card is carried in the pocket through the funeral and back home by the recipient. It becomes a tangible part of the deceased's story.
In Ireland, the act of printing memorial cards for family members during this difficult time provides solace when so much else seems to be out of their control. Deciding on what photograph to use, what words to write and which prayer to say becomes a way of expressing the truth of the loved one who has passed away.
What Goes Into a Traditional Memorial Card
Most memorial cards in Ireland generally have a standard format, but families have freedom to make changes as per their wish. Most cover pages contain a picture of the dead person, and this is usually accompanied by a religious image such as the Sacred Heart, Our Lady or Celtic cross. This is followed by the names of the deceased, as he or she was known to other people, including nicknames, date of birth, date of passing away and also date of funeral.
A poem, a prayer, a verse, traditional Catholic prayer, personal poem, or personal message is usually written in the family's own words in the card's interior or on the back page. A majority of cards end with a phrase like "Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord" or a soft plea for the reader to pray for the departed soul. The card usually takes the form of a folded small size card similar to the size of a wallet, printed in high-quality cardstock.
Families tend to request for addition of another picture inside the fold, showing the deceased person during an enjoyable time in life, wedding, with children or walking his favorite beach.
Choosing a Printer for Memorial Cards
Printing memorial cards in Ireland has gotten much simpler than it used to be, though the nature of the job makes it worthwhile to make a choice wisely. These are the things that usually matter most to the family:
•Fast turn-around.
In Ireland funerals are normally arranged two to four days after the person passes away, so it is important to get cards printed very quickly, even within 24 hours.
•High print quality.
When a family keeps a card as a memory for decades, they will notice that the picture is blurred or badly cropped, so high color reproduction and paper quality are important.
•Range of templates
. While some families prefer traditional design with religious picture on it, others choose less complicated cards. Good printers offer both options.
•Proofreading.
Given that there can not be any typos on the person's name or dates, it is important to get the job properly proofread before printing.
•Local expertise.
The printers who regularly deal with Irish funeral directors know what is expected of the cards in regards to conventionality, language, and timeliness.
Nowadays, many funeral parlors throughout Ireland have printers that they recommend; however, the family can choose any other printer. Printers in local print shops of all cities in Ireland provide memorial card services, and even now some print shops allow online ordering of memorial cards for those families that cannot visit Ireland.
A Note on Cost and Quantity
Most memorial cards are printed in bulk amounts, often 50, 100, or even 200 pieces depending on the estimated number of attendees. The pricing of memorial cards will depend on the type of printer used, quality of paper, and number of prints, but it is among the less expensive parts of arranging a funeral. Some people order additional cards to be delivered to family members abroad who could not attend the funeral.
Pro Tip: Remember to bring a very clear picture of your deceased loved one taken under natural lighting conditions; a picture of someone taken using a computer screen or even the web would not provide very impressive results.
Memorial Cards in a Changing Ireland
The rituals surrounding Irish funerals have changed significantly in the past couple of decades. Some removals aren't done anymore, some funerals are live-streamed to families abroad, and nowadays death announcements are published on RIP.ie just as much as in the local newspaper. However, memorial cards have survived. They have even become more individualized; people put pictures and phrases that describe the person's life.
Organizing a funeral is a stressful experience for most people, but making memorial cards doesn't add much to the burden. Making sure everything about the cards is done correctly, from picking up a nice picture to using proper wording and working with an experienced printer results in a keepsake that the family can remember the deceased person by many years later.
Creating a memorial card is like putting the life of a person into a small thing that will be kept in the pocket of a living relative for years to come. It doesn't matter whether a person is organizing a funeral in advance or in a few days after losing a close one; finding a reliable printer and paying some attention to the picture and wording make all the difference.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top 5 FAQs
1. How long does it take to print memorial cards in Ireland? Most printers can turn around memorial cards within 24 to 48 hours, which fits within the typical two-to-four-day window between a death and the funeral in Ireland. It's worth confirming turnaround time upfront, especially during busy periods.
2. How many memorial cards should we order? Families usually order between 50 and 200 cards, depending on expected attendance at the removal and funeral. Ordering a few extra is common, since relatives abroad or those unable to attend often like to receive one too.
3. What photo works best for a memorial card? A clear, high-resolution photo taken in good lighting works best. Avoid screenshots or images pulled from social media, as they often print blurry. A recent, well-lit photo that captures the person's personality tends to make the most meaningful keepsake.
4. Can memorial cards be non-religious? Yes. While most traditional Irish memorial cards include a Catholic prayer or religious image, many printers now offer non-religious options with a personal verse, poem, or simple message instead, suited to families who prefer a secular or more personalised tribute.
5. Do funeral homes arrange memorial card printing, or do families need to do it themselves? Both approaches are common. Many funeral homes have a preferred printer they work with regularly and can arrange everything on the family's behalf. Families who prefer more
