Tribute Books & Celebration Books/Festschrifts

Tribute Books

Modern Memoirs, Inc. is honored to be entrusted with the creation of Tribute Books for you and your loved ones. These keepsake publications are published in hardcover or paperback and can be produced for a memorial service, the anniversary of a loved one’s death (Yahrzeit), or for other occasions meant to honor them. Tribute Books are typically comprised of some combination of the following:

  • front matter (a half title-page, frontispiece photo, title page, copyright page, and table-of-contents)

  • a brief foreword from the client introducing the book

  • an Ethical Will or Legacy Letter written by the deceased

  • an obituary

  • eulogies

  • 10-15 photos

  • prayers, poems, or quotations

  • other materials collected to honor a person’s memory

Most of these small books (roughly 50-100 pages) will cost around $5,000. This includes client communications, book design, printing and binding, and shipping. If you wish for design embellishments, such as fine endpapers, leather covers, ribbon bookmarkers, or other such flourishes, please inquire about the added expenses.

We know that these beautiful, tangible tributes to the deceased will bring comfort to the bereaved by affirming the legacy of their loved one’s essence and life.


Celebration Books/Festschrifts

A Festschrift is a book comprised of writings celebrating a scholar, often given to an academic upon retirement. Colleagues, friends, and former students contribute to the work, which is meant to honor and memorialize the recipient’s contributions to their field. At Modern Memoirs we know there are many reasons to celebrate and honor a person’s achievements and legacies, and we offer both traditional Festschrifts for retiring academics and Celebration Books for other happy occasions.

A typical process would include working with a single client responsible for collecting letters, photos, and other materials for the book, to design, print, and bind a gift book. Possibilities include:

  • Family Reunion Books—gather contributions from extended family members and share the resulting book at a family reunion to affirm and reinforce the special bonds you share.

  • Anniversary Books—collections of letters, photos, and other materials to mark a wedding anniversary. While the main recipients may be the couple themselves, our experience is that the contributors (perhaps their children, grandchildren, and friends) enjoy having their own copies as keepsakes, as well.

  • Birthday Books—present loved ones with a collection of letters, photos, and other materials to celebrate them and communicate their loved ones’ hopes and wishes.

  • This Old House Books—Does a family home have a special place in your heart? Gift your loved ones a book about its history and your family’s connection to this special place. Gather photos, letters, deeds, and other documents to trace the history of the place that means so much to you.

  • Your ideas?

Most of these precious books (roughly 50-100 pages) cost around $5,000. This includes client communications, light editing, book design, printing and binding, and shipping. If you wish for design embellishments, such as fine endpapers, leather covers, ribbon bookmarkers, or other such flourishes, please inquire about the added expenses.

Modern Memoirs Celebration Books provide a precious, tangible connection to your memories, your family history, and your friends. We trust these books will help you celebrate the special moments that shape the lives of you and your loved ones.