Most Weddings Include a ‘Moment of Silence’ or Memorial Table for Deceased Loved Ones, Says New AMM Survey

Most couples choose to honor deceased loved ones on their wedding day - learn how to prepare as a wedding officiant 

 

 

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AMM asked 150 soon-to-be-weds if they will include a ‘moment of silence / remembrance’ or memorial table in their wedding celebration this year, in order to honor deceased loved ones. 

 

44% of respondents answered that they plan to include a moment of silence. An additional 17% of respondents said they plan to honor lost loved ones in another way, such as a memorial table, photo display, or symbolic "In Memory Of" chairs. 

 

This means that over 60% of weddings this year will likely include a tribute to a couple’s deceased loved ones.

 

 

Survey Results: 'Will you include a 'moment of remembrance' in your wedding ceremony?'

45% of respondents said Yes; 17% said they would honored deceased loved ones in another way, such as with a memorial table or photos; and only 38% of respondents said they would not include a memorial of any kind in their wedding ceremony. 

 

 

This is useful information for our ministers and other wedding officiants, who may be asked to officiate a ceremony with a moment of remembrance, or to write a custom wedding script that includes a meaningful pause for this purpose.

 

Wedding officiants, take note: Wedding days are filled with big emotions, and this subject in particular might bring a few of those to the surface. Couples might ask to see examples of the wording you’ll use before the ceremony, or they might have suggestions on how to phrase this portion of the script. 

 

During a wedding ceremony, moments of remembrance often come after the Invocation and welcome, and before the Declaration of Intent. 

 

One simple suggestion is to say, 

 

“Let us take a moment to remember those who can’t be with us today, either because of distance or because they have gone before us. In particular, we lift up [Name any family members or others whom the couple chooses to memorialize.]”

 

The articles and wedding scripts below will help you prepare for ceremonies that include this meaningful element, including ideas on how to honor loved ones, and sample wedding officiant scripts for you to use: 

 

• Wedding Ceremony Scripts that include a Moment of Remembrance

 

• Honoring the Memory of Loved Ones in Your Wedding Ceremony

 

• How to Include a Moment of Silence in Your Wedding Ceremony

 

 

 

 

 

See More Results From Our 2023 AMM Spring Survey: 

 

• Survey Shows the “Threat” to Professional Officiants is Courthouse Weddings & High Costs, Not Online Ordination
   

 

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Read Next: 

 

 

• Pagan Weddings: Ideas for Offerings to Gods and Ancestors
   
• Personalized Wedding Invocation & Opening Words - Examples for First Time Officiants
   
• Officiants: Ask to Review a Couple’s Written Vows Before the Wedding Ceremony
   

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