A memorial video with old photos that gently move
For the service, the celebration of life, and the relatives who couldn't be there.
A memorial video with animated photos is a short tribute where a few old photos of the person gently move, set to calm music with their name and a dedication. At zazsi you choose the photos, we restore and animate each one, and a person checks the result before it reaches you. It usually takes 2 to 4 business days, so it suits a memorial, a celebration of life or an anniversary of their passing better than a funeral that is only a day or two away.
What makes it different from a slideshow
A classic funeral slideshow shows still pictures one after another. In an animated tribute, the people in the photos move a little: a smile, a glance, a small turn of the head. Nothing dramatic, nobody speaks. For many families, seeing a familiar face soften again is the moment they remember from the day.
How to put one together
- Choose 5 to 12 photos from different chapters of their life: childhood, wedding, young parent, grandparent. Fewer, well-chosen photos are more moving than fifty rushed ones.
- Photograph or scan the prints. A phone photo is enough if the print is flat, the light is soft and there’s no glare.
- Order with the montage add-on. Your animated photos are combined into one film with licensed music, an opening title and a dedication in your words.
- Tell us the date. If the service is on a particular day, write it in the order form so we can tell you honestly whether it’s realistic.
You receive a private link to watch and download the film, in landscape for a screen or projector and vertical for phones. One round of changes is included.
What it costs
$19 for the first photo, $9 for each extra photo, and +$49 for the montage film. Eight photos with the montage come to $131. You pay first, then upload the photos through the private link we email you, so you can order now and gather the photos later. See what it costs to animate an old photo for more example prices.
Honest limits
- Time. If the funeral is tomorrow, a simple slideshow you make yourself is the safer choice. An animated tribute can follow later, for the memorial or the first anniversary.
- Photo quality. Clear, front-facing faces animate best. Faded and creased prints can be restored first; see our guide to restoring faded photos.
- Feelings. Not everyone is comforted by seeing a loved one move. It helps to ask close family first. We wrote more about this in animating a photo of a loved one who has passed.
For the basics of how animation works, see our main guide to animating old photos.
Frequently asked questions
Can it be ready for a funeral?
Delivery is usually 2 to 4 business days, often sooner. Tell us the date in the order form. If it’s too close, we’ll say so rather than rush it.
Will it play at the venue?
Yes. You get standard HD video files in landscape and vertical versions, which play from a laptop, USB stick, TV or projector.
Can relatives who couldn’t attend watch it?
Yes. You can share the private link with family. Anyone with the link can watch, so only send it to people you trust.
Can black-and-white photos be used?
Yes. Black-and-white and faded colour prints both work.