Memory books
A memory book can be a very cathartic and healing process for everyone involved, and I highly recommend them as a way to deal with grief.
If you are dying, you may wish to make a memory book for your family and friends to remember your story, as told by you. Or you might want to leave thoughts and advice for your children or partner. It is really up to you what you put in it! I call this type of memory book the Grasshopper.
If your person is dying you might want to make a book to give them by inviting family and friends to contribute images and stories … it can be a very special gift to help a dying person see the impact their life has had on their community, and it is very cathartic for the contributors as well. Of course these also make a lovely gift for a significant birthday or life event as well… you don’t need to wait until someone is dying to give them a memory book of their life! This type of memory book is called the Bear.
Or perhaps your person has already died, but you would like to do a book with photos and memories of them as a lasting memorial to their life, for their community to cherish. This style of memory book is known as the Elephant, and they also make excellent presents for significant birthdays and life events.
Each book is created in conversation with you so it is unique and completely specific to your person. And every book is designed and created with love and care.
The Bear
A living life story. A collection of memories and images in book form, from you to your person, while they are still able to read about the impact they have had on their community. These can be done for special celebrations as well as part of the end of life experience.
Surprise your person with a bear hug, right when they need it most.
The Grasshopper
Written by a person with a life-limiting condition for their loved ones. A collection of thoughts, hopes, ideas, advice, images, stories. Whatever you want it to be… but it’s from you to your people.
Passing on the grasshopper wisdom.
The Elephant
A memory book for after your person has died.
A collection of images and memories from family and friends to memorialise your person.
A keepsake to share with children and grandchildren to keep your person’s memory alive.
An elephant never forgets.
Some examples of recent memory books
Please note for privacy reasons stock photos have been used in most instances and some names changed but these are all real books designed for real people!
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Send me an email and we can have a chat about your vision!
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As each book is different, each process is a bit different, but essentially I work with you to come up with a design and layout you are happy with. This usually involves some stock images or I might draw some bespoke illustrations myself if that is appropriate.
I then lay out the book and we go through an editorial/revision process before printing your book.
You have full editorial control at all stages and it won’t be printed until you are happy with it.
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This is also variable, as mostly it depends on how long it takes to assemble the content and then get back to me with revisions and corrections/additions.
I work to your timetable, though. So if you are doing a Bear and there is a short timeframe, I make sure it is a priority. If you have all the images and text ready, I can usually turn the design process around in a week, but printing will always take at least a week and it can be longer depending on how busy the printers are.
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In the interests of time and efficiency I recommend supplying good quality digital images, however, I can scan printed photos if that is all you have available.
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This is also up to you. If you want to do a more straightforward biography and don’t have the capacity to write it yourself, I can set you up with a professional biographer (which is a separate service). They will then supply me with a file to layout.
Depending on the type of book you are wanting, the copy might come from various people writing about the person, or it might come from a dying person who has things they want to say. I can help to shape these kinds of books into good copy if required.
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I have a local digital photobook printer who can print hard cover books at a reasonable price. I usually quote with one copy included in the price, but I can order as many copies as you need.
If you want a premium quality finish I have several book printers I work with, but the cost for small runs of a book are very high, so I would need to quote on a case by case basis.