Creating a Memorial Book from Text Messages: A Heartfelt Guide

Why Create a Memorial Book?

Text messages capture the authentic voice of our loved ones in ways that other mementos can't. Unlike formal letters or staged photos, texts show their personality—their humor, their wisdom, their everyday kindness. Creating a memorial book transforms these digital conversations into something tangible you can hold, share with family, and preserve for generations.

A memorial book serves many purposes:

• Personal comfort: Having a physical book to hold during difficult moments
• Sharing memories: Giving copies to family members who also miss them
• Preserving their voice: Ensuring their words survive beyond your phone
• Healing process: Creating the book can be a meaningful part of grief work
• Family legacy: Future generations can know them through their own words

Before You Begin: Emotional Preparation

Creating a memorial book is emotionally intense work. You'll be reading through final conversations, reliving beautiful moments, and possibly encountering messages you forgot about. This can bring both comfort and fresh waves of grief.

Consider your timing:

• Some people create memorial books immediately as part of processing loss
• Others wait months or years until they feel emotionally ready
• There's no "right" time—whenever you're ready is the right time
• You can always create multiple versions (chronological, by topic, favorite moments)

Step 1: Export Your Messages

First, you'll need to export your text conversation to a format suitable for printing. The best option is PDF export because it preserves the visual appearance of your messages and can be professionally printed.

Using ChatKeepsake

ChatKeepsake is specifically designed for this sensitive work. The Pro version includes features perfect for creating memorial books:

1. Download ChatKeepsake from chatkeepsake.com
2. Load your messages from your Mac or iPhone backup
3. Find the conversation with your loved one
4. Optional: Edit the conversation to remove sensitive information or focus on meaningful exchanges
5. Export to PDF with customized settings

PDF Export Settings for Memorial Books

When exporting your PDF, consider these settings:

• Color Scheme: Choose "Professional (Blue/Gray)" for a subtle, respectful look, or keep "ChatKeepsake (Gold/Pink)" if those colors feel meaningful
• Font: System or Helvetica are easy to read; Times looks more formal
• Page Size: Letter (8.5" × 11") is standard; Legal gives you more room per page
• Include Page Numbers: Recommended for navigating the finished book
• Binding Margin: Enable this if you're creating a physical book

Step 2: Preparing Your Content

Once you have your PDF, take time to review it. You might want to make some thoughtful decisions about what to include:

Deciding What to Keep

You don't have to print every single message. Consider creating different versions:

• Complete Archive: Every message chronologically—preserves everything
• Highlights Collection: Only the most meaningful, funny, or loving messages
• Themed Sections: Organized by topic (advice they gave, jokes, daily life, expressions of love)
• Specific Time Period: Focus on a particular year or era of your relationship

Using ChatKeepsake's edit mode, you can selectively remove messages before exporting. This lets you exclude:

• Mundane logistical messages ("Running 5 min late")
• Content that might be hurtful to re-read
• Private matters you don't want in a permanent book
• Duplicate or repetitive exchanges

Adding Personal Touches

Consider adding a custom introduction page to your memorial book. You might include:

• A favorite photo
• Your loved one's full name and dates
• A brief reflection on your relationship
• Context about when these messages were exchanged
• A dedication or poem

Step 3: Printing Your Memorial Book

You have several options for turning your PDF into a physical book, each with different price points and quality levels.

Professional Printing Services

Online Book Printing (Recommended for Quality)

Services like Blurb, Lulu, or Shutterfly offer professional book printing:

• Hardcover binding: Most durable and presentation-quality ($30-60)
• Softcover: More affordable, still professional ($15-30)
• Premium options: Leather binding, dust jackets, special paper ($60-150)
• Multiple copies: Easy to order copies for other family members

Local Print Shops

Office supply stores (FedEx Office, Staples, UPS Store) offer same-day binding:

• Coil/spiral binding: Lays flat when open, very durable ($8-15)
• Thermal binding: Professional appearance, permanent ($10-20)
• Comb binding: Most affordable, pages can be added/removed ($5-12)
• Advantage: Can see and touch before finalizing

Home Printing Options

If you have a home printer, you can create a more personal, DIY memorial book:

• Print at home: Use high-quality paper for a better feel
• Three-ring binder: Simple, allows easy additions ($10-20)
• DIY perfect binding: YouTube tutorials show how to create glued bindings
• Decorative covers: Scrapbooking supplies can make beautiful custom covers

Creating Multiple Copies

Consider printing multiple copies to share with:

• Other family members who were close to your loved one
• Your children or their grandchildren (for the future)
• Keeping one safe copy and one "reading copy"

Digital printing makes it affordable to order several copies at once, and the cost per book usually decreases with quantity.

Step 4: Storing and Protecting Your Memorial Book

Your memorial book is irreplaceable. Here's how to keep it safe:

Physical Storage

• Keep away from sunlight: UV light fades ink over time
• Moderate temperature: Avoid attics (too hot) and basements (too humid)
• Upright storage: Like other books, to prevent warping
• Protective sleeve: Consider a cloth or archival-quality bag

Digital Backup

Always keep a digital copy of your PDF:

• Store on external hard drive
• Keep a copy in cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox)
• Email yourself a copy
• This ensures you can always reprint if needed

Ideas for Using Your Memorial Book

Once your book is complete, here are meaningful ways to honor it:

• Create a memorial display: Place the book alongside photos and other mementos
• Read on special occasions: Their birthday, anniversary of passing, holidays
• Share during gatherings: Let family members take turns reading favorite messages aloud
• Gift to family: Surprise relatives with their own copy
• Therapy companion: Bring to grief counseling sessions if helpful
• Legacy item: Include in family archives for future generations

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this process take?

The technical export takes minutes, but allow yourself time for the emotional work. Some people complete a memorial book in an afternoon; others work on it gradually over weeks. There's no right timeline.

What if I don't have many messages?

Even a short conversation can make a meaningful memorial book. A 10-page booklet of final messages can be just as precious as a 200-page archive. Quality and meaning matter more than quantity.

Can I include photos?

If your text messages included photos, ChatKeepsake will include them in the PDF export. You can also use photo editing software to create custom cover pages or section dividers with photos.

What if some messages are painful to read?

This is completely normal. You can:

• Use the edit feature to remove difficult messages
• Create multiple versions (one complete, one edited)
• Take breaks when needed
• Ask a trusted friend or family member to help review

Is this disrespectful to their privacy?

This is a personal decision only you can make. Consider:

• Would they have wanted their words preserved this way?
• Are you creating this for yourself, or sharing widely?
• Can you edit out anything truly private while keeping meaningful content?

Most people find that creating a memorial book honors their loved one's memory and keeps their voice alive.

Final Thoughts: A Gift to Your Future Self

Grief changes over time. The sharp pain softens into gentler remembrance. Years from now, you may struggle to recall the exact sound of their voice or their particular turn of phrase. This memorial book will be there, preserving not just the words but the essence of how they communicated—their humor, wisdom, and love.

Creating this book is an act of love—for them, for yourself, and for everyone else who misses them. It transforms ephemeral digital messages into a lasting tribute. Take your time, be gentle with yourself, and know that you're creating something beautiful.