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How to Plan a Celebration of Life
What is a Celebration of Life?
A celebration of life is an event that is held to honor a departed loved one’s life, focusing on the positive aspects and being more of a joyful celebration than a way to mourn.
Figuring out how to plan a celebration of life starts with choosing a location. If you’re unable to host the event, consider having it somewhere that was special to the deceased.
Unlike funerals or memorial services, a celebration of life event is typically more casual.
Why Have a Celebration of Life?
Hosting a celebration of life allows you to create your own unique experience for loved ones to honor the deceased. You’re able to relieve the financial stress and burden of an expensive funeral and can still offer friends and family a chance for closure.
What Should Be Included in a Celebration of Life?
Since a celebration of life event is meant to honor the deceased, each will be as unique as the person they are celebrating. Here are a few ideas for a celebration of life event:
Storytelling - Inviting people to share stories is a great way to highlight favorite memories and can serve to bring people together and help them heal. Prepare your guests before the event so they can plan to share special moments during the celebration.
Photos – Creating an album of photos from friends and family can make a great keepsake, especially since others may have pictures you don’t have. You can create a slideshow, a virtual album, or even print off photos to display during the celebration of life.
Music – Music can help set the ambiance of your event and help a sad occasion turn into a celebration of the deceased’s life. Compile favorite songs to make a playlist and invite friends and family to add meaningful songs.
Memorial Reveal – If you’re planning on purchasing or creating a memorial, share the details while loved ones are all gathered together. You can donate a tree, park bench, have a statue made, or set up a memorial garden in a loved one’s yard. Your celebration of life event can revolve around a reveal or an activity so that everyone has a chance to participate or say their goodbyes.
How Long Should a Celebration of Life Last?
A celebration of life event doesn’t have to abide by a set time frame. If it’s a small gathering to share memories and small bites of food, it may be a couple of hours. If you’re all planting a memorial garden, you may end up staying half a day. As a host make sure you clarify to attendees how long they are welcome to stay, and as an attendee make sure you’re not overstaying. A celebration of life event may be highlighting the happiness and joy of a deceased’s life, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be moments of sadness.
Do You Serve Food at a Celebration of Life?
Yes, you typically serve food at a celebration of life event, but you don’t need to prepare a large meal. Snackable items are best. Here are some suggestions of what to serve:
- Deviled eggs
- Meatballs
- Cheese platter
- Vegetable tray
- Casseroles
- Cold pasta salad
- Variety of sandwiches
- Cookies, cupcakes, or cake
- Tea, coffee, juice, and soda
Keep in mind that food allergies are common and it’s important to have a variety of options so that everyone has the chance to snack comfortably. If you aren’t sure if there are food intolerances, ask those invited to share their food limitations or ask them to bring their own meal.
Unique Ideas for a Celebration of Life
A celebration of life should be a reflection of the life a loved one had. There are many unique ways to theme an event around hobbies, interests and the personality of the departed. Here are a few more unique ways to celebrate.
- Paddle out – for those who had a love of water, consider having a beachside event. You can even incorporate paddling out on the water for a scattering of ashes ceremony. You can also have attendees write a goodbye to the deceased to send out on floating lanterns if it’s allowed by waterway regulations.
- Gardening – Planting a tree or forming a memorial garden is a great way to create a physical space others can spend time in whether it’s to mourn or reminisce. You can do this in someone’s yard, at a church, or even plant something in a public vegetable and fruit garden.
- Outdoors – If a loved one had an affinity for the outdoors see if you can host a celebration of life at a local park. Arrange a short hike, create a picnic setting, or have a bonfire in someone’s backyard. If it’s allowed in your area, see if there’s an option to light and release sky lanterns. There are biodegradable lanterns that won’t harm the environment the way balloons would if those were released.
- Live music – If your loved one had a passion for live music or was a musician, a musical memorial tribute by way of an open mic jam or hiring their favorite local group would be a beautiful way to honor them. Request that their favorite songs are included in the playlist.
- Charity fundraiser – A lovely way to pay tribute to a person who lived a life of volunteerism is to hold a fundraising event for their favorite charity in their honor. Let attendees know that donations will be accepted but are not required, so those who want to donate can, but those who are not comfortable doing so don’t feel obligated.
- Personalized Memorial Items – Gift or give attendees the option to purchase a customized memorial item in honor of the deceased. There are a range of gift items and memorials that can give people a physical object to display at home.
Celebration of Life Event Etiquette
Not sure what to expect at a celebration of life? These events tend to be less traditional than a memorial service and are meant to reflect the joy and happiness the departed experienced during their life. Dress for the occasion in more casual or festive attire instead of a somber black outfit. Check with even hosts whether there are any specific requests for attire since they might have a theme.
Do You Bring Gifts to a Celebration of Life?
If you’re planning to attend a celebration of life event, check the details with the host or organizer. They may ask you to bring something to contribute, such as a story, poem, or reading. Or they may ask that you bring food for a potluck. Each celebration of life party is different so be sure to check what’s expected.
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