Photo Board

• 1). Gather all the photographs you want to display on the easel. Try to find pictures of the deceased during happy or momentous times. Your goal is to tell the story of their life through photos.
  
  
• 2). Measure the dimensions of one of the photographs. Add 1/2 inch to all sides, then use your ruler to mark out the new dimensions on your sheet of decorative paper. Cut out the rectangle, using your utility knife.
  
  
• 3). Lay the photograph in the center of the decorative paper, and trace out the dimensions of the picture. Decide how much you want the mat to overlap the picture, and use your ruler to draw a new outline, inside the outline of the photograph.
  
  
• 4). Cut out the inner rectangle to complete your photo mat. Place the photograph behind it, and secure one corner with tape. Flip it over to make sure it is centered, then secure the remaining corners.
  
  
• 5). Repeat Steps 2 to 4 to create mats for the remaining photographs.
  
  
• 6). Secure them to a display board, using double-sided tape or push pins.
  
  

Easel Setup

• 1). Place the easel in a location where it will be easily visible to funeral attendees. Many families choose to place photo easels around the room during the wake or beside the casket during the memorial service. Photo easels are often a conversation piece, so place them in a location where they will not impede the flow of guests.
  
  
• 2). Spread out the easel’s three legs, and adjust the extender legs so the easel sits at a comfortable height. You want the easel to be eye-level with your guests, so the pictures are easy to view.
  
  
• 3). Insert the palette support bars into the notches on the far right and left of the easel’s crossbar. Place the canvas support pegs in the notches on the easel’s front. The location of the pegs depends on the height of your photo board, because the pegs should support the top edge of the board.
  
  
• 4). Set the completed photo board in place on the crossbar. Lift the hooked rod at the top of the easel, and use it to hold the board in place.