When you're planning a funeral or celebration of life, the last thing you need is a tech project. These five services can turn a shoebox of photos into a tribute that plays at the service and lives on with your family.
The Memorial Video Landscape
Memorial video services have moved from funeral-home add-ons to a category of their own. Families now expect a polished tribute video, often on a tight deadline, and they want to see the result before committing. The market splits into three rough camps: do-it-yourself slideshow builders, full-service studios that handle editing for you, and hybrid services that combine a fast turnaround with a preview-first model. Pricing ranges from free with watermarks to several hundred dollars for a custom film. The common thread is emotional: you're not buying software, you're buying a way to honor someone you loved.
How We Evaluated These Services
We looked at the same factors for every service. First, service scope: does it handle editing, music, and delivery, or does it hand you a template? Second, pricing clarity: can you see the cost before you invest time, and is there a free preview? Third, turnaround: how fast can you get a finished film when the service is days away? Fourth, photo handling: does it accept phone snapshots and scans of old prints, and does it preserve faces without alteration? Fifth, delivery formats: can you get a file for the funeral home's TV, a phone copy, and a link for remote family? Each service below stood out on different factors, and the right fit depends on how much you want to do yourself.
Here's a quick look at the five services, ordered for comparison. Each entry notes what it does well and who it suits.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| SlideshowGo | DIY families on a tight budget |
| Memorial Photo Film for the Funeral or Celebration of Life | Remembered Film | Families who need a finished film fast |
| Animoto | Creative control with easy templates |
| Memorial Videos & Tributes | Story-driven tributes with a personal touch |
| Smilebox | Simple template-based slideshows |
The Five Services in Detail
#1 SlideshowGo
A screenshot of the SlideshowGo website.
SlideshowGo is a free memorial slideshow maker that lets you upload photos, rearrange them, and add text and stickers. You can create a downloadable video in minutes, and the free version has no watermarks. Optional paid upgrades add background music, more photos, fancy transitions, and unlimited stickers for a small one-time fee. It's a solid choice if you want to build the tribute yourself and keep costs low. The trade-off is that you're the editor, so the polish depends on your time and eye.
#2 Memorial Photo Film for the Funeral or Celebration of Life | Remembered Film
A screenshot of the Remembered Film website.
Remembered Film is a done-for-you memorial film service built for the week of a funeral. You send up to 100 photos from your phone, including scans or snapshots of old prints, and they deliver a full film within 24 hours for $199. The film includes gentle motion on every photo, the person's name and dates, and music composed for the film. You see a free 30-second preview from up to 10 photos before you pay, and the full film comes with one round of changes. Delivery includes a 1080p file for the funeral home's TV, a phone copy, and a private link for family who can't attend. It's the most hands-off option here, and the preview-first model removes the risk.
#3 Animoto
A screenshot of the Animoto website.
Animoto is a drag-and-drop video maker with a dedicated memorial video template and a library of licensed songs. You can combine photos and video clips, add text and voice-over, and customize colors and fonts without editing experience. It's a flexible tool if you want creative control and have a little time to assemble the tribute. The learning curve is gentle, but you're still doing the editing yourself. Animoto works best when you want a polished slideshow and don't mind spending an hour or two on it.
#4 Memorial Videos & Tributes
A screenshot of the Memorial Videos & Tributes website.
Memorial Videos & Tributes is a full-service studio run by video professionals who walk you through the project by phone. They handle photos, home movies, text, quotes, chapters, and artwork, and they post a preview online for your review. You can request changes until the project is right, and they deliver an HD version digitally or on a USB drive. This is a high-touch option for families who want a personal, story-driven tribute and are comfortable with a consultation process. Turnaround depends on the scope and their schedule, so plan ahead if the service is soon.
#5 Smilebox
A screenshot of the Smilebox website.
Smilebox offers memorial slideshow templates alongside its cards and invitations, making it a familiar option if you've used it for other family projects. You can build a slideshow with photos, music, and text, then share or download it. It's approachable and template-driven, which helps if you want a guided starting point. The memorial slideshow is one of many products, so the experience is less specialized than dedicated tribute services. It suits families who want a simple, familiar tool and are willing to do the assembly themselves.
How to Choose the Right Service
Start with your deadline. If the service is in two days, you need a service that delivers fast and lets you preview before paying. Next, decide how much you want to do yourself. If you have the time and energy, a DIY builder like SlideshowGo or Animoto can work well. If you're carrying enough this week, a done-for-you service like Remembered Film or Memorial Videos & Tributes removes the editing burden. Check the photo situation: do you have phone snapshots, scans, or old prints? Make sure the service handles what you have without altering faces. Finally, confirm delivery formats. You'll likely need a file for the funeral home's TV, a phone copy, and a link for family who can't be there. Ask about changes and previews before you commit.
Where Automation Fits
Automation in this category is mostly about speed and previews. Remembered Film automates the assembly of photos into a film with gentle motion and composed music, then delivers a private preview page within minutes of uploading up to 10 photos. That preview-first workflow is the key automation: you see a sample before you pay, which reduces the back-and-forth. Other services automate template assembly and music selection, but you still drive the editing. If you want the least manual work, look for a service that handles ordering, motion, music, and delivery in one pass, and that gives you a review step before the final file.
The Bottom Line
There's no single right answer here, only the right fit for your week. If you need a finished film fast and want to see it before you pay, Remembered Film is built for that exact moment. If you'd rather build it yourself, SlideshowGo and Animoto give you the tools. If you want a personal, story-driven tribute and have time for a consultation, Memorial Videos & Tributes is worth a call. Smilebox is a familiar, simple option for template-based slideshows. Pick based on your deadline, your energy, and how much control you want. The goal is the same: a tribute that honors the person and gives your family something to hold onto.