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Finding a meaningful way to celebrate a person’s life does not have to mean holding a service in an unfamiliar church or hall.
Just as weddings are so much more personalised today, funeral services are increasingly following this trend.
A celebration of life is an event held to honour the life of a loved one, typically focused on positive aspects of their life. This event may be less formal and structured than a funeral or memorial service, and is often considered to be – as the name suggestions – a joyful celebration rather than a ceremony dedicated to mourning.
The event is usually held in a casual setting such as a park, on a beach or somewhere special to the deceased. Depending on the location, attire is normally more relaxed, children are often involved and people are encouraged to speak and share stories of their loved one.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, many funeral and memorial events are being held virtually or live streamed so loved ones can participate in the service from their own homes.
There are many wonderful ways to honour and remember a person. Some families choose to host a celebration of life instead of a funeral, while others have a funeral, then hold a celebration of life weeks or months later to include others who weren’t able to attend the funeral.
Here are a few ideas to think about when organising a celebration: Choose a meaningful location; let people know that there will be time to share stories so they have time to prepare; collect photos and memorabilia for display; create a playlist of the person’s favourite songs or music from their era; if you are on a budget, don’t be afraid to ask guests to bring a plate to share after the service; if appropriate, plant a tree as a living memorial to the person who has passed.
