Sympathies to GC and GF.

Experiences at memorial services, if you still want some ideas: An in-house smallish memorial (~30 people.) A table set up with photos of the person, albums, things that like. A notebook or other book to write down memories of the person + writer's name (address if it's wanted). One person to read a poem or a prayer, then raise a glass and toast the departed. Others to speak if they want.

Larger/in church: similar, but with family members going to pulpit to talk about the person.

One big tip, have the last person who speaks, if there's a family line-up, for example, be someone who can tell a story about something amusing and/or wonderful that the departed said or did. If people laugh or smile, it prompts them to remember similar things and tell them, which, it's cool to get other's people's experience of a family member.

So sorry, GC. My very best wishes to you and GF and family.

When my dad died, we went through all of our photo albums and made big boards covered with photos of him at all stages of life. We tried to pick lots of candid ones which showed his personality. I know people really liked those. We also divided the eulogies up by theme--one person spoke about my dad's personality, one on his accomplishments, one on his friendship. After the services, we all gave my mother copies of our speeches, and put them in a really pretty book, which she added all the condolence notes she got over the next couple of weeks to. She still looks at that book a lot six years later, and it gives her a lot of comfort

Condolences, GC and GF.

An idea for you. Here at our theater, we've had a number of memorial services these past few years. Are there any groups/organizations that he was involved with? Lions Club? Masons? A theater? Golf Course? Often these places have a congregating room that might be nice.

Condolences, GC. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Make sure you take care of yourself too, in addition to taking care of GF.

GC, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I wish you and yours all the peace in the world.

I'm so sorry for your and your GF's loss, GC. May he rest in peace.

Since a religious ceremony is not preferred, perhaps a friend might be willing to step in as a sort of MC. Sometimes it's best to ask someone who wasn't a close friend of her father, but rather a friend of someone else in the family, so that it's someone trusted, but not overwhelmed by the situation.

All my sympathies, GC and GF. Peace and strength to you both, and to all who knew and loved him.

Peace and strength to GC and her BF and family.

I've been to memorial services in which people were just asked to come forward if they had something to say and to ones in which just a few friends were asked to say something. I think the main keys to a smooth process are telling people ahead of time that you'd like people to contribute and a gentle reminder of a time limit for each speaker. I agree with libkitty that an MC type helps. Maybe he has a friend who has done some public speaking? Also, there are religious people who will conduct nonreligious memorials. Around here, it's usually the people who also conduct nonreligious weddings and commitment ceremonies. A university chaplains' office might have suggestions.

Oh, GC, I'm sorry. At least you're past that whole tension of wondering when it will happen, but I'm sorry for your GF's loss.

I think I don't want to go to Qatar, but it seems the American University in Cairo is looking for people. That could be interesting.

Awesome!

{{{meara}}}

{{{GC&GF&Family}}}

Sox, I may COMM the unravelling line.