How we help bereaved families to make the most of their tributes
8 April 2025
Supporting bereaved families is at the heart of what we do at MuchLoved. That’s why we support tribute owners by sending them emails to help them make the most of their tribute.
How we help MuchLoved tribute owners
We know that, at the time when the tribute is created, families are very recently bereaved. They may already be dealing with a lot of information and making decisions around funeral arrangements, and grief can make even basic tasks feel overwhelming. That’s why we give them the space and time to get to grips with arrangements. We make using their tribute page as simple as possible, so it quickly becomes a special place to remember their loved one.
Sharing the tribute details and basic instructions in an email means it’s easy to revisit later when the person feels ready for it. Also, emails are easy to forward on to contacts, so the tribute owner doesn’t have to explain things multiple times to extended family and friends who ask about funeral arrangements.
What’s included in our emails to families
We send four simple emails over a 30-day period, so information is provided in a way that is not overwhelming, but succinct and timely.
While talking to a family or sharing a leaflet might help, this comes at a time when there is a lot of information to take in. We’ve found that a follow-up email with some essentials about the tribute is welcomed by those families.
Our emails help to familiarise them with the page as a place to remember, covering the basics of how the tribute works. We also explain that the tribute is theirs to keep, free of charge, for as long as they wish.
How we know that families welcome our emails
Since introducing the emails as a proof of concept, we’ve found that activity on those tributes has increased considerably:
The emails also establish a direct point of contact with MuchLoved and our friendly Support team can help with any questions they might have. Families can contact us by phone or email, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
Long term bereavement support
We know that sometimes, visiting the tribute page is overwhelming for a person in the early days of bereavement. Yet, coming back to the tribute at a later date to see all the messages and lovely memories shared by family and friends means the world. Being able to access the tribute, to share it onwards with family and friends with any special instructions or funeral details is a key part of accessing the service.
Thankfully, you as the funeral arranger can retain access and any control you need as part of the service you provide. When the family later on come back to the page to reflect and spend some time with memories of their loved one, they will also remember the wonderful service you provided.
Giving the family access to the tribute by adding them as tribute guardian enables them to do this at a time when they are ready, and to feel the benefit in the months and years to come.
While you might assume that all the activity happens in the lead up to the funeral, we know that 70% of tribute activity happens on tributes that are over a year old. Long term, re-visiting the tribute page on a regular or occasional basis and adding a thought or a gift provides a moment of connection. We see how much comfort this provides tribute guardians.
"Thank you so much. I have been on and lit a candle. Many thanks for making this day just a little bit easier. Appreciate very much your contact."
a tribute guardian
At MuchLoved, we’re committed to supporting our partners, helping them to make the most of their in-memory offerings. If you have questions about the MuchLoved service, please contact our Support team. Email support@muchloved.com or call our team on 01494 722818.
