A digital memorial becomes so much richer when the whole family contributes. The aunt who has the old photographs, the grandchild who shared special moments, the childhood friend who knows stories no one else does. Each perspective adds a layer to the life story of the person who passed.
But how do you invite family to participate? Especially when they're scattered across different countries? This guide explains everything — step by step.
Why it matters to have the whole family contribute
Memorials with contributions from multiple family members receive, on average, three times more visits. The reason is simple: the more memories, the more complete the story. The more people contribute, the more people feel connected to the memorial — and keep coming back over time.
A photo sent by a sister living in France, a story written by a grandson in Brazil, a memory shared by a childhood friend in Portugal — together they create something no single person could create alone.
Who should be invited?
Before sharing the link, think about who has valuable memories to share:
Close family:
- ✓Children and grandchildren — have the most recent memories
- ✓Siblings and cousins — know the older history
- ✓Spouse or partner — knows the intimate life
Family abroad:
- ✓Emigrants in France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, UK, Germany
- ✓Family in Brazil or other countries
- ✓Relatives who couldn't be present at the funeral
Friends and community:
- ✓Childhood and school friends
- ✓Work colleagues
- ✓Long-time neighbours
- ✓Parish or association members
How to share the memorial link
Vidalem automatically generates a unique link for each memorial. That's the link you share with the family.
Via WhatsApp (the most effective method)
WhatsApp is the fastest way to reach all family, especially those abroad. Here's a message you can copy and adapt:
"Hi everyone. I've created a digital memorial for [Name] on Vidalem. You can see photos, read the biography and — most importantly — add your own memories and photos. It would be very special to have everyone's memories together in one place. The link is: [memorial link]
Thank you 💙"
Send to the family group and also individually to anyone you know has special memories. An individual message has far more impact than a group message.
Via email
For more distant family or those less comfortable with WhatsApp, email is the best option:
Subject: Digital memorial for [Name] — your memory matters
Dear [Name],
I've created an online space to preserve [Name]'s memories. It's a digital memorial where all the family can keep photos, videos and stories forever.
I'd love for you to add your own special memory. It could be a photo, a moment you remember, or simply a few words about who [Name] was to you.
Access it here: [memorial link]
With love,
[Your name]
On social media
If the memorial is public, you can share it on Facebook or Instagram with a simple post:
"We've created a digital memorial for [Name]. If you knew them and would like to share a memory, you're very welcome. [link]"
For emigrant family abroad
This step is especially important for families with members who have emigrated.
Those living in France, Switzerland, Luxembourg or the UK often feel they can't contribute in the same way as those in Portugal. Distance creates a physical but also emotional barrier — the sense that the important moments are happening far away.
The digital memorial eliminates that barrier. A relative in Geneva can add photos taken on their last visit to Portugal. A grandchild in Paris can write a memory in French — Vidalem accepts contributions in any language. A cousin in Luxembourg can send a video they recorded years ago.
The message for emigrant family can be more personal:
"I know you're far away and couldn't be there. This memorial is a way to stay connected — you can add your memories and photos from wherever you are. It would mean a lot to have them here with everyone else. [link]"
Managing contributions
In the Vidalem dashboard, the memorial manager can:
Approve memories before they're published
You can set all contributions to go through approval before appearing on the memorial. This ensures the content is appropriate and there are no duplicate memories.
Notify family about new memories
Each time someone adds a memory, you can share it again with the family so everyone sees what was added. This creates a participation cycle — one memory inspires another.
Create different access levels
On the Family plan, you can add up to 5 members as memorial managers — each can edit, add and approve content. For members who only view and contribute, simply share the public link.
What to ask people to share
Sometimes people want to contribute but don't know what to write. A concrete suggestion helps enormously:
- ✓"Do you have a photo of [Name] you could share?"
- ✓"Do you remember a special moment with [Name]?"
- ✓"What personality trait did you most admire in [Name]?"
- ✓"Do you have a video or voice recording of [Name]?"
- ✓"What was something [Name] always used to say?"
When you ask for something specific, the chance of getting a response is much higher than a general request.
The QR code as a physical invitation
For family who visit the grave, the QR code is the most powerful invitation that exists.
Anyone who scans the code with their phone accesses the memorial directly. From there, they can leave a message or — if they've been invited — add their own memories.
Vidalem offers physical plaques with QR codes to place on the grave, weatherproof and with a discreet, elegant design. It's the most natural way to invite cemetery visitors to participate.
The memorial grows over time
A digital memorial isn't a finished project. It's a living space that grows over time.
On the anniversary of the passing, the family gathers again around the memorial — some add new photos they've found, others write about what the first year without that person was like. At Christmas, someone shares an old photo. On the birthday, a grandchild adds a new memory.
With each contribution, the portrait of the person becomes more complete. With each visit, the connection to their memory grows stronger.
Start today. Invite the family. And let the memorial grow.
Frequently asked questions
Does the family need to create an account to contribute?
No. To view the memorial and leave condolence messages, no account is needed. To add memories and photos, a simple free registration is required.
Can I control who adds content?
Yes. You can enable prior approval for all contributions, ensuring total control over what appears on the memorial.
What if someone isn't comfortable with technology?
The process is very simple — as easy as sending a WhatsApp message. And the Vidalem team is available to help at contacto@vidalem.com.
Can family abroad contribute?
Yes, from any country and in any language. Vidalem was created especially for families with emigrant members.