My View:
I had a close friend pass away very unexpectedly this week. This made me think of how I want my Celebration of Life event to occur. My friend was not in the best of health in the past couple of years. He made it past COVID-19. He will be missed since I spent every Thursday evening from 8:30 pm to 10 pm talking with him for the past several years.
His celebration of life will take place the next Saturday at the bar where he was the manager. I will not be in town that day to attend. A mini vacation out of town was planned several months ago ( our first in a year). I did order flowers to be delivered to the celebration of life event.
With some passing, we can see it coming, maybe a health turn of cancer or a physical accident. My friend was gone overnight. No chance to say goodbye or hold his hand. No one can see the event of someone passing from chatting with them yesterday to getting a call, but they are gone. I was lucky, a few days before his passing, to speak with him. I gave him a hug before I left that day, as I always do.
My end-of-life plans are complete, as you can read in my previous blog post. There is one item I did not want for my end-of-life plans. A wake service, I find viewing the body rather forced grieving. I plan to exclude that part of the services. But it has me thinking that I do want some celebration of life events. So friends and family can come together and celebrate my life.
We are very lucky today that the technology of computers allows us to store and manage video, audio, and images in the cloud. I can put it into a video montage of my life. The review video is of what I felt was important. Not leaving family and friends to sift through shoeboxes of old photos, videotapes, or DVDs, picking out what they think was your best moment.
I can get the last laugh with what I choose to include visually and what I choose to say verbally after I am gone. I do not plan to use this for negative space. But to demonstrate the joy of people who are left behind in my life. The final video can be put on a USB thumb drive or a DVD. I plan to do this and have it noted in a file to be used for my celebration of life.
I will have to update it every few years in the future. Maybe add volumes I, II, and III as I age every 10 years or so.
10 Themes for Celebration of Life:
I hope these themes give you an idea of a starting point for planning your own or others’ celebrations of life events. I seems to all come down to how the departed lived and surrounded themselves with life.
- Garden Party – A serene outdoor gathering surrounded by flowers and nature in a garden or park.
- Beachside Memorial – A peaceful service by the ocean, with waves and sand as a backdrop.
- Vintage Tea Party – A nostalgic event with vintage decor, tea, and light refreshments.
- Sports Tribute – Celebrate with a theme based on the deceased’s favorite sport or team.
- Music Festival – A lively event featuring the favorite music genres or bands of the loved one.
- Art and Creativity – An art-themed celebration showcasing their favorite artworks or inviting guests to create their own.
- Cultural Heritage – A theme reflecting the person’s cultural background, with traditional food, music, and attire.
- Travel Journey – A theme that highlights the deceased’s love for travel, featuring photos and souvenirs from their adventures.
- Book Lover’s Gathering – A cozy event in a library or with a literary theme, celebrating a love for reading.
- Community Service – A day dedicated to charitable activities that were important to the person, followed by a celebration.
Outline:
I. Understanding the Purpose of a Life Celebration
II. Choosing the Perfect Venue
III. Creating a Personalized Program
IV. Adding Personal Touches and Memories
V. Wrapping Up with Heartfelt Goodbyes
Section 1: Understanding the Purpose of a Life Celebration
When planning a celebration of life memorial service, the first step is understanding its true purpose.
This isn’t just about mourning a loss but celebrating a well-lived life. Think of it as a gathering where stories, laughter, and tears blend together to honor the person who’s passed on.
For those of us in retirement, we’ve accumulated decades of experiences, friendships, and memories.
So, this type of service should reflect the richness of that life.
A celebration of life is different from a traditional funeral. It’s less about solemn rituals and more about personal connections and meaningful moments.
You’re not just saying goodbye; you’re sharing in the joy of the life that was lived. This can empower seniors, allowing us to highlight what really matters in our lives – family, friends, passions, and values.
By keeping the focus on these elements, you can create an event that feels deeply personal and authentic. It’s a chance to showcase the unique aspects of the person’s life, whether through music, stories, or memorabilia.
The ultimate goal is to make this celebration reflect the individual’s spirit.
The person’s essence should be at the forefront, whether it’s a small, intimate gathering or a larger event.
This approach ensures that everyone leaves the service with a sense of closure and a smile, knowing that the person’s life was honored in a way that resonates with who they truly were.
As we get older, these moments of reflection become more important.
Planning a celebration of life memorial service allows us to focus on the positives, the achievements, and the love shared rather than just the loss. It’s a powerful way to remember and be remembered.
Section 2: Choosing the Perfect Venue
Choosing the right venue for a celebration of life memorial service is key to setting the right tone.
This decision can shape the entire event, so it’s important to select a place that feels meaningful.
For seniors and retirees, it might be a spot that holds special memories – perhaps a favorite park, a beach where family gatherings were held, or even your own home.
The venue should reflect the life of the person being celebrated. If they loved the outdoors, a garden or park could be perfect.
If they were more of a homebody, a cozy living room or backyard setting might be more fitting.
The goal is to create a space where everyone feels comfortable and connected to the person’s life.
Another consideration is accessibility, especially if older family members or friends will be attending.
Make sure the venue is easy to reach and navigate. This ensures that everyone can participate without any stress or inconvenience.
You could also consider venues that offer a blend of indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing for flexibility depending on the weather or the type of activities planned.
Remember, this isn’t a traditional funeral home service. It’s a celebration.
The venue should be a place that encourages conversation, connection, and sharing of memories.
By choosing a location that resonates with the life lived, you create a foundation for a memorable and heartfelt service.
Section 3: Creating a Personalized Program
A well-planned program is the heart of any celebration of life memorial service.
This is where you can really bring the personality of your loved one to life.
Start by thinking about the flow of the event. What would they have enjoyed? How can you weave in elements that reflect their passions, hobbies, and values?
The program could include speeches from family members and friends and sharing stories that highlight different aspects of the person’s life.
You might also include readings of their favorite poems or scriptures or even play their favorite songs.
Music can be especially powerful in setting the mood and evoking memories.
Visual elements like photo slideshows or video montages can also be impactful.
These allow everyone to see the person at different stages of life, reminding them of the good times shared.
Don’t forget to include moments of reflection, where attendees can silently honor the person in their own way.
This could be a candle-lighting ceremony, a moment of silence, or a symbolic release of balloons or doves.
The program should be balanced – offering moments of joy and laughter as well as times of quiet reflection.
By personalizing the program, you ensure that the celebration of life memorial service is a true representation of the person’s legacy.
Section 4: Adding Personal Touches and Memories
Adding personal touches to a celebration of life memorial service makes the event uniquely special.
Consider incorporating items that were important to your loved one. This could be as simple as displaying their favorite books, artwork, or collections.
You might set up a memory table where attendees can leave written memories or mementos.
This creates an interactive experience, allowing everyone to contribute to the celebration.
If your loved one was known for a particular hobby or passion, make it a part of the service.
For example, if they loved gardening, you could hand out small potted plants or seeds as keepsakes.
Or, if they were a passionate cook, you could share a favorite recipe with guests.
Another idea is to create a memory book where people can write down their favorite stories or thoughts about the person.
This becomes a cherished keepsake for the family.
Personal touches like these make the service more meaningful and help everyone feel more connected to the person being remembered.
They also provide comfort, reminding everyone of the joyful moments shared.
Section 5: Wrapping Up with Heartfelt Goodbyes
The conclusion of a celebration of life memorial service is just as important as the beginning.
It’s the final opportunity to honor the person and bring closure to those in attendance.
You might end the service with a collective toast, where everyone raises a glass in the person’s honor.
Or, you could invite attendees to share one last memory or thought.
Consider playing a favorite song as the final send-off, something that encapsulates the spirit of the person.
If the service is outdoors, you might end with a symbolic gesture, like releasing butterflies or lighting floating lanterns.
These actions create a lasting memory for everyone involved.
As the service comes to a close, it’s important to express gratitude to those who attended.
Thank them for being a part of the celebration and for sharing in the memories.
This not only provides closure but also strengthens the sense of community and support among the attendees.
By wrapping up the service in a meaningful way, you ensure that everyone leaves with a sense of peace and connection.
I plan to have me celebrations of life at a different location than a funeral home. I want mine to have dancing and music. So maybe a nightclub event for me. But plan your budget if you want a more elaborate celebration of life experience for your friends and family. You will be unique to you. Here is further reading on COF events
Takeaways:
a. Understand the purpose behind a life celebration.
b. Choose a venue that reflects the person’s life.
c. Personalize the program to highlight their unique qualities.
d. Incorporate personal touches to make the service special.
e. Conclude with a heartfelt goodbye that brings closure.
Conclusion:
Planning a celebration of life memorial service is about more than just saying goodbye.
It’s an opportunity to honor a life well-lived, filled with moments of joy, laughter, and love.
By focusing on what truly matters to the person, you can create a service that feels personal and meaningful.
From choosing the right venue to adding those special touches that reflect their passions, every detail counts.
This isn’t just a memorial – it’s a celebration, a time to remember and be inspired by the life they led.
As we grow older, these celebrations become a powerful way to connect with our own lives, reminding us of the value in every moment.
So, take the time to plan a celebration of life memorial service that truly honors your loved one.
It’s a gift to them and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing them.
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