Illustrated Eulogies.
It’s incredibly special when a family chooses me to illustrate a Eulogy.
Death is a taboo subject in the UK, but this wasn’t always the case.
For example, The Victorians were fascinated with the concept, and formed an entire etiquette to mark the stages of mourning as well as keeping objects associated with the memory of the one who had passed on.
My Illustrated Eulogies are similar in that they are keepsakes, but instead they focus on the life of the individual.
please note that the example given below is for illustrative purposes only, and any similarity to any persons living or dead is entirely coincidental
So why choose an Illustrated Eulogy?
Photographs can be an important memory prompt, but illustration has many benefits too.
It adds warmth and a human touch to the life story, and can be used to show memories that may have escaped the camera roll.
When a memory emerges that hasn’t been photographed, I use family photos as likeness references to ensure that the memory is illustrated in a recognisable way.
Due to the short turn around of funerals, these keepsakes are intended to be received after the event, and act as a reflective tool for the family going forward.
The form of an A5 concertina is comforting, as it is reminiscent of a picturebook when folded, then slowly reveals the life story as it opens.
Each one is complete with a timeline of important dates on the reverse, highlighted with gold foiling.
The concertina is respectfully held in a navy blue envelope, tied with string. Having something that can be put away, then brought out when needed seems to soothe the grieving process more than always having a constant reminder on display, although the concertina will stand up on it’s own if preferred.
Illustrators are visual storytellers, so my goal with each piece is to create a unique tribute to share the stories of the wonderful people who touch our lives.
