Making a Legacy Interview into a Celebration of Life Video

Create a video for your celebration of life event.

Creating Celebration of Life Videos

Losing a loved one is never easy. As families come together to mourn, it’s also a time to celebrate a life well lived. Often this involves gathering friends and family together to share stories about the deceased and to raise a glass in their honor.

If you’ve ever had the privilege of capturing a family legacy interview (a video interview documenting the life stories, wisdom and memories) you already have a great reminder of your loved one. Usually, these videos are private and meant only for the families of the person to see.

But what if that legacy interview could be transformed into a public-facing “Celebration of Life” video that honors their memory and shares their story with a wider range of friends and family? By investing in some time to edit your original interview, you could create a lasting tribute to your loved one for everyone to see and enjoy.

At Legacy Video Stories, the interviews we conduct are intimate and profound. They are typically at least a one hour video session using one or two cameras, that captures everything from family history to special memories and life lessons. This format allows the subject to reflect on their life, share personal anecdotes, and offer heartfelt advice and their wishes for future generations. It’s an invaluable resource for remembering and honoring their legacy.

But how can you take this already meaningful interview and turn it into a short Celebration of Life video that truly resonates with everyone who knew and loved the person? Your legacy interview is a great starting point for creating this tribute video.

Crafting the Perfect Tribute

If you’ve already done a legacy interview, you have the basis for a meaningful celebration of life video. It just needs some editing and a little finesse. Gather the stakeholders of the project together to watch the video to reflect on what was said. Here is what to think about:

1. Identify Key Themes

Start by watching the interview and identifying the central themes that stand out. What were the highlights of their life? Were there particular stories or moments that seem especially significant? By focusing on these key themes, you can create a narrative thread that weaves together their most cherished memories and values.

2. Select Meaningful Footage

Select segments from the legacy interview that showcase the essence of their personality and achievements. These might include touching family stories, humorous anecdotes, or poignant reflections. Look for clips that highlight their passions, achievements, the impact they had on others, and reflects their personalities. The goal is to choose footage that will resonate with viewers and evoke a sense of connection and remembrance.

3. Incorporate Photos and Videos

Enhance the video by incorporating family photos and home videos. These visual elements can complement the interview footage and provide a fuller picture of their life. Consider including images from significant life events, milestones, and everyday moments that reflect their personality and passions. You may need to gather pictures from the wider family in order to find enough supporting images.

4. Add Music and Narration

Music plays a powerful role in setting the tone of a video. Choose background music that reflects the mood you want to convey—whether it’s uplifting and celebratory or reflective and serene. Remember to make sure you obey all copyright laws. Music sites, like Premium Beat and MusicBed, allow you to choose from thousands of tracks to license at a very reasonable rate.

Additionally, consider adding narration or voice over to help bridge different segments of the video and provide context or additional insights.

5. Include Messages from Loved Ones

Consider including additional video clips from family members and friends. These personal tributes can add an extra layer of emotion and provide diverse perspectives on the person’s impact. These can be video messages, quotes that are shown graphically, or written notes that are visually displayed during the video. Use tools like Zoom and Facetime and smart phone recordings to accommodate your participants.

6. Edit for Flow and Impact

The final step is editing. A well-edited video will smoothly transition between different segments, keeping the viewer engaged and emotionally connected. Make sure the video flows naturally from one topic to another, and that the pacing allows viewers to absorb and reflect on each segment. The goal is to create a cohesive narrative that celebrates their life in a meaningful and respectful way. Expect your 90-minute legacy interview to be edited down to just 10-15 meaningful minutes.

Why Create a Celebration of Life Video?

A Celebration of Life video is more than just a tribute; it’s a way to preserve and share the essence of a person’s life with those they loved. It offers a chance to revisit cherished memories, hear their voice, and see their personality in a way that photos alone can’t capture. It’s a source of comfort and inspiration, and it serves as a lasting legacy for future generations.

Additionally, having a professionally crafted video allows families to share the essence of their loved one in a way that is both personal and polished. It can be played at memorial services, shared with family and friends, or kept as a treasured keepsake.

Getting Started 

If you’re ready to turn an existing legacy interview into a Celebration of Life video, be honest and consider what you can do yourself versus leveraging a professional. Chances are, you will want to make this video shortly after a loved one passes and you will be pulled in a thousand different directions at the time. Despite the pressures and stress of planning services, a celebration of life video can be created with some help. But using a professional company, the process can be easier than you might think. At Legacy Video Stories, we specialize in transforming cherished interviews into beautifully crafted tribute videos. Our team works closely with you to ensure that every detail reflects the personality and legacy of your loved one.

To get started, simply contact us. We’ll guide you through the process, from selecting footage to finalizing the video, ensuring that the result is a touching and memorable tribute.