Memorial Service AV Equipment Checklist — Raleigh, NC
Provided by Event Rentals NYC, a KLAV Group company. A practical, dignified guide to renting the right audio, lighting, video, and music equipment for a Memorial Service in Raleigh.
A Memorial Service is a sacred moment. The AV equipment must be reliable, gentle, and invisible — supporting eulogies, slideshows, and music without ever distracting from the family. Use this checklist to plan a service for 75–250 guests at a chapel, funeral home, banquet hall, or outdoor pavilion in the Raleigh area.
1. Sound
The most critical category. Eulogies must be heard clearly in every seat.
- PA Speaker System (2 tops + 1 sub): Needed for any service over 50 guests. Recommended quantity: 1 system covers up to 200 guests. Rental: $250–$450.
- Wireless Handheld Microphone: Essential for the officiant, family speakers, and tributes. Recommended quantity: 2 (one primary, one backup). Rental: $75–$125 each.
- Wireless Lavalier Microphone: Needed for clergy or hosts who move during the service. Recommended quantity: 1. Rental: $85–$125.
- Podium / Lectern Microphone: Needed when a fixed pulpit is used. Recommended quantity: 1. Rental: $50–$85.
- Floor Monitor: Needed if a vocalist or musician performs live. Recommended quantity: 1–2. Rental: $75–$125 each.
- 4–8 Channel Mixer: Needed to manage mics, music playback, and tribute videos. Recommended quantity: 1. Rental: $100–$200.
2. Lighting
Lighting for a Memorial Service should be soft, warm, and respectful — never club-style.
- Warm Uplighting (amber / soft white): Needed to add reverence to the room walls. Recommended quantity: 8–12 fixtures. Rental: $25–$40 each.
- Stage / Pulpit Wash Lighting: Needed so speakers and the memorial display are clearly visible on photos and video. Recommended quantity: 2–4 fixtures. Rental: $45–$75 each.
- Ambient String / Pin Lighting: Optional, used outdoors or for evening receptions following the service. Recommended quantity: 100–200 ft. Rental: $75–$200.
- Dance Floor Lighting: Generally not appropriate for the service itself, but available for the celebration-of-life reception afterward. Recommended quantity: 2 fixtures. Rental: $75–$150 each.
3. Video
Video tributes and photo slideshows are the emotional centerpiece of most modern memorials.
- HD Projector (5,000+ lumens): Needed for slideshow tributes and memorial videos in larger rooms. Recommended quantity: 1. Rental: $200–$400.
- Tripod or Fast-Fold Screen (9 ft – 12 ft): Needed when projecting. Recommended quantity: 1–2. Rental: $125–$300.
- 55" – 75" TV Displays on Stands: Needed for foyer photo loops and overflow rooms. Recommended quantity: 1–3. Rental: $175–$350 each.
- Laptop & HDMI Playback Kit: Needed to run slideshows reliably. Recommended quantity: 1. Rental: $75–$125.
4. DJ / Music
Soft music before, between, and after the service helps the room breathe.
- DJ Controller (Pioneer / Denon): Needed for curated playlists, hymns, and live transitions. Recommended quantity: 1. Rental: $150–$275.
- Pro Turntables (pair): Optional, for traditional DJ setups. Recommended quantity: 2. Rental: $200–$350.
- DJ Booth Façade with Scrim: Needed to keep the DJ presence discreet and respectful. Recommended quantity: 1. Rental: $125–$225.
5. Extras (Celebration of Life Reception)
- Photo Booth (open-air with memorial backdrop): Recommended for guests to leave photo memories. Recommended quantity: 1. Rental: $500–$900.
- Light Fog / Haze Machine: Use sparingly, for lighting depth only — never heavy fog. Recommended quantity: 1. Rental: $75–$125.
- Confetti Cannons: Only appropriate for upbeat celebration-of-life moments per family request. Recommended quantity: 2–4. Rental: $50–$100 each.
Rent From Event Rentals NYC — Now Serving Raleigh
Event Rentals NYC, a KLAV Group company, brings 20+ years of production experience and 1,000+ events delivered for clients including Madison Square Garden, Hillsong NYC, and the City of New York. We deliver, set up, run, and strike — so the family never has to worry about a single cable.
Reserve your Memorial Service AV package today. Call 646-280-9522 or visit klavgroup.com to book Event Rentals NYC for your Raleigh service.