Celebration of Life
Planning your Ceremony
Decide on the type of service: Will this be a funeral or a memorial service? Will it be stand-alone or part of a more traditional funeral? What would you like the tone to be?
Set a budget: While worrying about the cost may seem inappropriate, it is important that you know how much you can reasonably afford. Having an idea of what your financial constraints are can help you narrow down your choices for the details of the celebration such as the type of food and the venue.
Estimate how many people will attend: It may be difficult to determine an exact headcount, but an estimate of the number of people you think will attend is important for selecting the right sized venue and refreshments, if you plan to offer them.
Choose a location, date, and time: When designing a Celebration of Life you are not limited in your choice of venue. You can certainly take advantage of the space available at a funeral home but you can also choose to have your event at your home, at a local park, or at some location that held meaning for the person you are honoring. Don’t forget to consider unconventional locations as well as the tried and true. For example, if the deceased was a film lover you consider renting a theater for your celebration.
Decide who you would like to speak: You can ask specific people to share their thoughts or invite anyone who would like to offer an anecdote to speak. You should give them guidance on the type of story they would share. YI can also speak on your behalf.
Decide on activities you would like to include: The beauty of a celebration of life is that you can customise your ceremony however you’d like. Think about the way your loved one preferred to spend his or her time. A sky lantern release, a group motorcycle ride, a book drive, or a group walk are all examples of the type of activities that are common. The important thing is that the activity is an appropriate tribute to your loved one.
Decide on what type of refreshments you would like to have: Your venue, budget, and other constraints can help you decide on the type of refreshments you serve. You are not expected to provide a full meal unless that is something you would really like to do. In any case, food and drink are not required.
Decide on how you will personalise the event: There are an unlimited number of choices when it comes to personalising your event. Many people create a tribute movie or slide show and display photos around the venue. Your choice of music and readings can also be highly personal.
Set your order of events: Many people choose to include structured elements such as readings and music followed by some type of group activity and then a reception. There is no right or wrong way to do it, only what is best for you and your loved ones.
Choose how you will decorate the venue: If you are having your celebration at an outdoor location such as on the beach or at a park, it may not be necessary to have decorations at all. This is entirely up to you.
Determine how you will get the word out: If your celebration of life is being held in conjunction with a traditional funeral or memorial service, include the details in the obituary and on social media. You can also ask others to spread the word to others who would like to pay their respects. If you are having a celebration that is separate from traditional services, stand-alone, or will take place sometime in the future, you may want to take the added step of calling or writing a note to those who may not be active online. Invitations are not normally sent for funerals, but it is perfectly acceptable to personally invite people to a Celebration of Life if you would like to. Keep in mind that people who do not receive a formal invitation may still want to attend.