Memorial website walkthrough
How to create a memorial website, step by step
This practical walkthrough shows what to prepare, what to add first and how to review a memorial website before sharing it with family and friends.
Before opening the editor
Gather what you already have rather than waiting for the whole family archive. A clear portrait, correct spelling of the full name, verified dates and a few notes are enough to make a useful first version.
- A portrait with enough space around the face for cropping
- Full name and any nickname the family wants displayed
- Birth and passing dates, checked against a reliable family record
- Five to ten moments that could anchor the life story or timeline
- Original photo files rather than screenshots where possible
- The name of one person who will make final editorial decisions
1. Create the account and basic memorial
Enter the core identity details first. The first uploaded photograph becomes the portrait, so use an image that still reads clearly on a phone. You can save each part and return later rather than completing the memorial in one sitting.
Begin with private visibility if several relatives need to check names, dates or photographs. Move to link-only or public only after the page has been reviewed.
2. Separate the story, facts and timeline
Use the life story for the narrative: what shaped them, the life they built and what people remember. Use the About fields for concise facts such as places, family, work and interests. Use the timeline for dated milestones or vivid moments that benefit from being seen in sequence.
This division prevents the page from repeating the same list three times. If writing the opening feels difficult, add factual notes first. The Premium writing assistant can shape only the details you provide into a draft for you to edit and fact-check.
3. Build a gallery people can understand
Choose photographs that show different periods, people and parts of life. A smaller, well-captioned selection is usually more meaningful than many near-identical images. Add names, places or approximate years while relatives can still identify them.
Held in Memory lets you add captions, position the caption note and change the gallery order. The free plan supports up to five photographs; Premium supports up to 50.
4. Preview the visitor experience
Read the page once as someone who did not build it. Check that the opening identifies the right person, the most important photo loads first, and the story makes sense without private family context.
- Open the page on a phone as well as a larger screen.
- Check every name, date, caption and place name.
- Follow the shared link while signed out of the account.
- Confirm the selected public, link-only or private setting.
- Ask one trusted relative to flag omissions or material that should stay private.
- Keep copies of original photographs and the final story outside the website.
5. Publish, invite and maintain
Share the direct address in a family message, funeral notice or email. Premium memorials can also accept written visitor tributes; each submission waits for account-holder approval before it appears. A downloadable QR card is available with Premium when the link needs to be used in print.
After publishing, set a reminder to review new tributes and add verified captions or stories. The memorial remains editable, but a considered update is better than publishing every anecdote immediately.
Want to see the result before building? Explore the complete example memorial, including its story, About details, timeline, gallery and QR treatment.
Common questions
Do I need technical or design skills?
No. The memorial manager uses forms for the story, About details, timeline, photographs and settings. The public page layout is created for you.
How long does a memorial website take to make?
A basic page can begin with a portrait, correct dates and a short remembrance. The time needed for a fuller memorial depends mainly on gathering and checking the story and photographs.
Can I change it after publishing?
Yes. The account holder can update the story, photographs, timeline and visibility settings after publication. Premium account holders can also review visitor tributes and personalise the QR card.
What if different relatives want different wording?
Choose one editor, circulate a private draft and agree on factual corrections first. For sensitive stories, it is reasonable to omit the detail until the family agrees.
Ready when you are
Build the first version, not the final word
Start free with the verified details you have. Save each section and return as the story takes shape.
Create the memorial