A Guide to Adding a Deceased Loved One to a Photo

A Guide to Adding a Deceased Loved One to a Photo
A Guide to Adding a Deceased Loved One to a Photo
Photo by George Milton from Pexels

Family pictures are a great way to remember the good times you had with people who have since died. A way for grieving individuals to find solace in looking at joyful photographs of themselves with the persons who have passed away is to add a deceased loved one to a photo 


There are many ways to include a lost family member in a family photo, so let's look at a few of them. There are good reasons to add photos of dead family members to the ones you already have. 

Why Add Someone to a Family Photo?

Whether it's for a memorial service or just to keep them close by, it's not uncommon to wish to add a deceased loved one to a photo. Those who have passed away are remembered for who they once were, not how they are now. Incorporating a lost loved one in family pictures is a touching way to remember and celebrate their life while also bringing comfort to the grieving.

Ways to Incorporate a Deceased Loved One into a Photo

Image Editing

If you know how to edit photos well, you can add pictures of deceased loved ones that you already have by using a program like Adobe Photoshop. If you know how to do the basics, this program isn't too hard to use, but you might need to look at an image manipulation tutorial.

Ghost Photo

Another unique photographic technique involves incorporating a lost loved one in pictures without them appearing. Ghost photos are such pictures. The technique is the same as adding a member to your family photo, but the deceased image must be set to a lower opacity. 

Collage Making

A photo collage can be created using physical or digital photographs, and it allows you to combine the old with the modern. Making a collage of images depicting members of the complete family is a wonderful way to remember everyone. You'll be left with a lovely memorial to a life well lived.

Painting

If you don't want to use a photo of your family, you may perhaps paint a portrait of your deceased relative alongside your living family members. In this way, you can make something special and touching to remember the one who is no longer with you. 

Memorial Corner

You could also add a memorial corner to your family photo, which doesn't require any photo editing. If you already have a family photo, you can get the same effect by adding a small corner where you share photos of the recently deceased. This way, they are still in the picture, but they are not the main focus.

Tips for Making Good Memorial Family Photos

Make It Collaborative

Let everyone in the family, even the kids, have a say in which photos to use when incorporating a lost loved one in family pictures. This keeps you from getting into a fight and keeps you from using a picture that someone might not like. It also makes sure that all of the deceased person's loved ones get the same amount of attention.

Pick Favorites

You might have to scan certain images throughout this choosing procedure. Scan the images at a resolution of 600 dpi if you can. If you want to print some of the images, this will provide you with the best results. If you lack scanning tools, there are persons and places that can perform this task for you.

Limit Large Group Photos

Cut down on the number of pictures where your loved one is just one face among many. Most of the photos should have the person who died in the front and center. As with all funeral arrangements, it can be hard to choose pictures. 

Avoid Issue Photos

Consider the ways in which you would like to honor the memory of your loved one. Do not include pictures of any person they never spoke to again or pictures that are unflattering to them in any way. After looking at the images you select, each and every person in attendance should be left with fond memories.

Final thoughts

For many reasons, family photos are significant. They preserve memories, record development, and display to the world our most prized connections. Family photos can serve as a method for some people to commemorate a loved one who has passed away. 


Having a family portrait serves as a tangible method to keep your departed loved one close to your heart and in your thoughts. Incorporating a lost loved one in pictures is one approach to honoring and memorializing the deceased person's memories.


With the help of Memorialize Art, you can create a beautiful tribute that preserves their memory for years to come. Whether it's for personal use or as a gift for someone else, this special photo addition is sure to bring comfort and solace during difficult times. Remembering our loved ones is important, and Memorialize Art provides a unique and creative way to do so.

Find the Perfect Portrait at Memorialize Art


If you want a professional portrait done, look no further than Memorialize Art. With the help of our skilled and creative artists, you can ensure that the memories of your loved ones are preserved in a way that will last a lifetime. Choose from a wide range of portrait options to find the one that best suits you.