A memorial wall made with care
A wall or a table of photographs lets people remember someone together. It can be simple: a name, the years, the pictures that feel most like them, and a place for others to add a memory.
Memorial walls and remembrance displays
A memorial display usually has a framed photo or a name and dates in a larger size, a group of smaller photographs from across a life, and cards where guests can write a memory. Plan the photos to scale before hanging, print the name on 250 to 300 gsm card, and use copies so the original photographs stay safe.
Last reviewed 3 October 2026
What a memorial display can include
- 1
A central photograph
One picture that feels most like them, larger than the rest, at the centre of the wall or on an easel by the door. Families often choose a relaxed, smiling photo over a formal portrait.
- 2
Their name and dates
The name they were known by, with the years, on a welcome sign or as lettering above the photos. A short line such as in loving memory or a favourite saying is enough.
- 3
A wall of photographs
Pictures from childhood to recent years, in a loose timeline or grouped by family, friends, work and travel. Guests often find themselves in one, which starts conversations.
- 4
Memory cards
Blank cards and pens on a table, with a line such as share a memory. Collected in a box afterwards, they are often what families treasure most.
- 5
A small sign for the table
A card explaining the display, such as please take a moment to look and add your own memory, so guests feel welcome to stop.
Sizes for a memorial display
| Piece | Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Central photograph | A4 or A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | Seen from the doorway on an easel |
| Name and dates sign | A3 or A4 | A3 for a hall or a church, A4 for a table |
| Photo wall prints | 6 × 4 in (10 × 15 cm) or 7 × 5 in | Standard print sizes, quick to get from a high street shop |
| Memory cards | A6 (10.5 × 14.8 cm) | Room for a few lines; four per A4 |
| Table sign or name card | 9 × 5.5 cm folded or A5 | Stands beside the photos or the memory box |
Free printables for a memorial display
Plan the photo wall before anything is fixed, print a sign with the name and dates, and make small folded cards for the table.
Gallery wall planner
Plan a gallery wall of frames: a scale plan with every nail height worked out, and true-size paper templates to tape to the wall. Free A4 PDF.
OpenEvent sign maker
Make a big printable sign for a wedding, party or event: your words as large as they fit, an optional arrow, on A4, A3 or as a folded table tent.
OpenPlace card maker
Make folded name place cards for a wedding, dinner party or event: names on both sides, an optional second line, at a true printed size. Free A4 PDF.
Open
Want the name set in lettering?
WallKiwi's lettering maker designs display lettering from a word and a style, such as a name in soft lilac script, one letter per sheet, ready to print and fix above a photo wall. Designs use credits, and a free account includes some each month.
Questions people ask
What do you put on a memorial photo board?
A central photograph, the person's name and dates, and a selection of pictures from across their life with family, friends, hobbies and places they loved. Many families add a space for guests to write a memory.
How many photos should go on a memorial display?
There is no right number. Twenty to forty prints fill a standard board without crowding it. Choosing fewer, well-loved photos is often easier for a grieving family than gathering everything.
Can I put up a display at a crematorium or a church?
Often yes, but ask first. Many venues have easels or a table you can use and rules about fixings and timings. Your funeral director can usually check for you.
How do I keep original photos safe?
Scan or photograph the originals and print copies for the display. If originals must be used, keep them in sleeves or frames and give one person the job of collecting them at the end.
What can we do with the display afterwards?
Many families keep the photos and memory cards in an album or a box, or hang part of the display at home. Some share a scan of the memory cards with relatives who could not attend.