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A funeral is an event that marks the end of a loved one’s life, allowing family members and friends to gather in a peaceful setting and quietly honor their loved one. However, in recent years, some people have chosen life celebration funerals, which is a more non-traditional approach to saying goodbye. But what is a life celebration funeral, and what sets it apart from the standard funerals people are used to attending?
A life celebration funeral gives people a chance to honor their loved one in a more personal way. Rather than a somber funeral that recognizes the death of an individual, attendees celebrate their lost loved one’s life by showing appreciation for the joy they brought to everyone while they were alive.
An end-of-life celebration can mean different things to different people, but here are a few things that others have done that might interest people wanting to celebrate a life.
1. Favorite Music vs. Funeral Music
Rather than playing traditional somber music before, during or after the funeral, choose music the deceased loved to listen to. Opt for music that would help others think of their lost loved one in a happy way. Whether the music is live or recorded, it can set the tone of the life celebration funeral.
2. Speakers Don’t Have to Be Somber
Whether you use several speakers or just one officiant, their tone doesn’t have to be a sad one. Instead, they can tell wonderful stories that proved how much their friend loved life. Share stories that might make people laugh and understand what type of person they were.
3. Showing a Video of the Person’s Life
There might not be many videos of the deceased, but there are probably many photos of them throughout their life. You can do it yourself or get a professional to put all the pictures together into a slideshow video that shows pictures of their life as a baby, a child, a teen, a young adult, and then through the different phases of their adulthood and places they’ve lived.
4. Memory Table
Consider putting out a table that displays a scrapbook, memorabilia and personal items that will help everyone think about the deceased in a way they’d appreciate. Were they in the military? Did they have specific hobbies or talents? Were they on some recreational sports teams? What were they known for? What did they do that they weren’t known for, but people would appreciate learning about them?
Also, ask those coming to the funeral to bring copies of some of their own pictures to add to the table, which would help them feel involved in the life celebration.
5. Nothing is Required; All Options Are Open
The most important thing to remember about a life celebration funeral is that there is no specific way that every event is done. A funeral director can help you create your own celebration of life–or one for your loved one. You don’t have to follow any specific rules–and you can even combine the features of a traditional funeral with a life celebration funeral.
Talk with your local funeral home and ask them for some ideas of what they can offer for a life celebration funeral. The Gardens of Boca Raton Cemetery & Funeral Services has planned funerals in the South Florida area for many years. Call them at (561) 989-9190 if you’re planning a funeral or a life celebration event in Broward, Dade & Palm Beach Counties.
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