For celebrations of life
Memorial slideshow maker — a tribute that feels right
Honor someone you loved with a photo-and-music memorial slideshow. Emberframe is a free online memorial slideshow maker — drag your favorite photos in, pick a song that matters, and export an HD video to share with family or play at the service.
Photos that tell the whole story
Childhood, family, friendships, milestones — Emberframe handles phone photos, scanned prints, and old digital pictures all in the same project.
Music that means something
Their favorite song, a hymn, or an instrumental piece. Full track length, no time limit on what you can use.
Private to your family
Photos never leave your browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored, or shared. The tribute is yours alone.
Share anywhere
Download an HD MP4 to play at the celebration of life, send to family by text or email, or upload as an unlisted YouTube video.
How to make a memorial slideshow that feels right
Start by gathering 60–100 photos across the person's whole life — not just the polished portraits, but the candid, ordinary moments too. The picture of them laughing at a family dinner often hits harder than the formal one. A loose chronological order works for most families: childhood, young adulthood, family of origin, marriage and children, career and passions, grandchildren, and recent years. You don't have to be strict about it — group photos by feeling, not just date.
Choosing music for a memorial slideshow
The song carries more weight than people expect. If they had a favorite — the one they sang in the car, the one from their wedding, the one they hummed while cooking — use it. If you want something less personal, instrumental piano (Ludovico Einaudi, George Winston) or classic hymns ("Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art") work beautifully. One song for a 4–5 minute tribute is the cleanest choice. If you want two, pick a quiet song for the early life photos and something warmer for the family years.
When to show it
Memorial slideshows are shown at celebrations of life, funeral receptions, anniversaries of passing, and milestone family gatherings. Some families play it on loop in the background; others sit down together and watch it once. Both are right.
Frequently asked questions
What is a memorial slideshow?
A memorial slideshow is a photo-and-music tribute that honors someone's life — typically shown at a celebration of life, memorial service, or remembrance gathering. It usually runs 4–7 minutes and is set to meaningful music.
How many photos should a memorial slideshow have?
Most families choose 60–100 photos. At 4 seconds each that creates a 4–7 minute tribute, which is what families and venues recommend.
What's the difference between a memorial slideshow and a funeral slideshow?
They're nearly identical — a funeral slideshow is shown at the funeral itself, while a memorial slideshow is often shown at a separate celebration of life, anniversary of passing, or family gathering. Emberframe works for both.
What music is appropriate for a memorial slideshow?
Their favorite song, a hymn, instrumental piano, or anything that captures who they were. There is no single right answer — pick the song that makes you feel the most.
Can I share the memorial slideshow online?
Yes. The downloaded MP4 can be uploaded to YouTube (unlisted), shared in a family Google Drive, sent via text, or burned to USB to play at the venue.
Ready to make yours?
Free to preview. Pay once to download — no subscription.
Create your memorial slideshow