Program wording - deceased vs unable to attend

Could you say "passed on" or something for your parents and "unable to be with us" for his dad? that's a hard one..

I think what you suggested was very nice about honoring those that cud not be with you, because its true.... They cudnt be with you for whatever reason. Those who are close to you guys kno the situation.

I have been tossing this issue around for weeks. I've thought about just not listing their names on the program at all....just keeping it general ( Thinking of those who could not be with us today) and then during the blessing before dinner we could have them mentioned by remembering my parents who could not be with us, and a special prayer for FH's father who was unable to attend. ??

Or you cud say something like honoring those who are with us in spirit and those who cud not attend..." Kind of separates the two

This is hard. My grandfather has Alzheimer's. My grandmother and grandfather were going to attend the ceremony only (they live locally with my parents), but my grandmother decided it would be too difficult for them. I did not include their names on the program with deceased loved ones as I also didn't know what to say. I like your dinner blessing idea. Sorry I'm not much help, I couldn't figure it out either.

I just found an example online of one where they listed the deceased parents names with a cross symbol after their names, ,,,if we did that, and used an asteric after FH's fathers name...then at the bottom of the page used the cross with a statement about the doves present in memory of my parents (??how to word this??) and the asteric to say "Special prayers for FH's father who could not make the trip to be with us today" (other wording suggestions??)

Terri, what you could do is something like this:

In honor of those special family members who are not here today:

Mr. Your Father's Name (1940 - 2005)

Mrs. Your Mother's Name (1946 - 2007)

Mrs. Your FH's Mother's Name (1944 - 2001)

Mr. Your FH's Father's Name

Of course, I'm just putting in random dates. However, omitting the dates next to your FFIL's name will send a message that he has not passed away.

"In Honor (or memory) of those who have been called home"

and

"Even though you are not present to celebrate with us, we still hold you in our hearts Dad"

Or something like that?

For those of us who could not be here today but we know are here in sprit

Name

<3