"His light remains. Some individuals bring such a great light to the world that even after they have departed, their light continues to shine."
This holds true for the life of Maurtaé Lamont Cole. Even though its been over three years since his passing, Maurtaé's spirit still shines brightly. It's no surprise that his devoted mother, Jontae Palmore, opted to have a candlelit remembrance gathering at his graveside.
Jontae went above and beyond to ensure that her son's memorial service was exceptional. She allowed me to commission artist Kasper Swain to portray Maurtaé as a superhero, organized a casket wrap, and put together a comprehensive 8-page program. She truly is a remarkable mother, taking exceptional care of her son, who passed away during a transplant operation.
My challenge was to transform a $1.25 candle from Dollar Tree into a cherished keepsake in remembrance. Here's where the do-it-yourself (DIY) label came into play. I took her chosen photo and brainstormed to create a design that would make the most of her $1.25 investment. Designing labels for a glass cylinder can be tricky. If the label is too large, it might wrinkle during application, and if it's too small, it may not have as much impact. After a few failed attempts using my daughter's photo, I settled on a final design measuring 3" wide by 5.5" tall.
The results were outstanding. The forty-plus friends and family members in attendance each held a light that encapsulated the essence of Maurtaé, and everyone departed with a special keepsake of a young boy taken too soon. His photo was an invaluable part of this project, and the candle served as a poignant symbol of his everlasting light.
If you have a candle from Dollar Tree, some adhesive label material, and a home printer, you too can create a treasured memorial keepsake.
Key Notes:
You can purchase the candles online from Dollar Tree. The 8" tall candles can be ordered online (in sets of 12) and delivered for free to the store nearest to you. They come in a variety of colors.
Jontae purchased the candles in-store, but the stock and colors varied by location. I recommend visiting the store to ensure the availability of your desired purchase.
Most local printers will have adhesive stock on hand. I recommend using gloss paper.
If ordering adhesive label material online, note that there is a difference between Inkjet and Laser Adhesive Paper. Order based on the compatibility with your home printer.
Trim wicks to 1/4". Never leave burning candles unattended.
Best Rotary Cutter - for Home DIY (I own this)
Corner Rounder for Labels
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