What is a Celebration of Life Announcement?
A celebration of life announcement is a message notifying family and friends of a recent death of a loved one and providing information about an upcoming memorial service.
It is one of the first things one will most likely have to write following the death of a loved one.
How is a Celebration of Life Announcement Different from a Funeral or Memorial Announcement?
Celebration of life services, funerals, and memorial services all focus on honoring and remembering the deceased.
The announcements for each of these services will all contain the same basic information; however, how the information in the announcement is conveyed may vary slightly depending on what type of service is being held.
Celebration of Life Announcement
Since a celebration of life service is typically more positive in nature, the announcement may also include more positive wording and imagery than that of a traditional funeral or memorial service announcement.
The idea is to honor the lives of loved ones and pay tribute to them. In the announcement you will want to include that the ceremony is intended to celebrate the life of the person who has passed away.
Funeral Announcement
A traditional funeral service focuses on the loss of a loved one and the grieving process that follows it. Therefore, a funeral announcement will most likely reflect that and be more somber and informative.
A funeral announcement will express grief for the deceased and ask family to come together to say their goodbyes. These types of announcements will also most likely use wording that expresses the family’s sorrow and loss.
Memorial Service Announcement
A memorial service is usually less mournful than that of a funeral service while still focusing on remembering and grieving the deceased.
The tone of a memorial service announcement will also match the tone of the service and may be more neutral or sympathetic. The announcement wording will also be respectful and informative.
Celebration of Life Invitation vs. Announcement
A celebration of life invitation and announcement are very similar. They both provide notification of a loved one’s death and information for the upcoming service.
The main differences between memorial invitations and announcements are the timing and formality of them. Below is more information about how announcements and invitations differ.
Announcement
An announcement is typically sent out first to give notification of the upcoming event either online or through the mail and may be less formal than an invitation.
The announcement usually contains a brief paragraph about the person who has passed and information about the ceremony. It can also contain any special requests or additional details.
Invitation
An invitation is usually sent after the announcement has already been shared. It is a more formal notification sent to specific guests with details about the service.
Celebration of life invitations will also have a slightly different format than an announcement. They will typically include the name of the deceased, birth date and death date, location of the ceremony, and date and time of the ceremony.
Types of Celebration of Life Announcements
There are two main types of announcements: digital and paper announcements. Deciding on which type you would like to create will depend on a variety of things. You may also decide to use both methods.
Digital Announcements
Digital memorial announcements are created online and shared through email or social media. These types of announcements may work best if you do not have guests mailing addresses or if you are tech savvy and prefer electronic communication.
Keep in mind who you will be inviting and if this is an appropriate method for sharing information with guests. If most of the family or friends do not use social media or frequently check their email, this might not be the best method.
However, if most of the attendees are active on social media or consistently communicate through email, a digital announcement may be a great option.
Another consideration when deciding which type of announcement to use, is whether you will also be hosting a virtual ceremony. If you are utilizing an online option for guests to join, a digital announcement would be appropriate and allow friends and family to easily access information about the ceremony and any links they may need.
Paper Announcements
Paper announcements are traditional physical announcements sent through the mail or published in the newspaper. These types of announcements are a good option if you have the address information for most of the guest list or if you have guests who prefer paper copies.
Paper announcements can be created online and then sent out through the mail. There are many websites that offer personalized announcements and you can be as creative as you would like with them. Keep in mind your time frame though and make sure you have plenty of time to get the announcements out if choosing this method.
Using Both Digital and Paper Announcements
In some cases, you may want to use both physical and digital announcements. By using both, you are able to send some paper announcements to some of your loved ones and also send out digital announcements to others through email or social media.
What to Include in a Celebration of Life or Memorial Service Announcement
A celebration of life or memorial service announcement is created shortly after the passing of a loved one and after the main details of the ceremony have been planned.
When writing the announcement, you will want to make sure to include important information about the deceased as well as details about the celebration of life ceremony. Feel free include additional information as you see fit and tailor the announcement to the specific needs of the event.
Important Information to Include
When writing a celebration of life or memorial announcement, there are a few key details you will always want to include. These details let guests know who the ceremony is for and when the event will be taking place.
Be sure to include these main points in the announcement:
- Name of the deceased
- Date and time of the event
- Location of the event
Optional Information to Include
After writing out the key details, you can decide if there is any additional information you would like to include in the announcement. Some details you may want to include are:
- Reception location and time (if a reception follows the ceremony)
- Live stream URL and passcode (if hosting a virtual ceremony)
- Any special requests such as items to bring or donations
Some families choose to include a picture of the deceased and a short description honoring them. Just remember to keep it short and sweet. Longer stories and specific memories can be saved for the memorial event to share with family members and friends.
Celebration of Life Announcements for a Family Member or Friend
A celebration of life announcement is usually written by an immediate family member or close friend but can be written by anyone who was special in that person’s life. The announcement is written once the details of the event are planned and all the key information is gathered.
Below is more information on what type of wording to include in the announcement and a few examples for reference.
Celebration of Life Announcement Wording
Whether you are creating a celebration of life invitation or announcement, you will want to keep the celebration of life invitation wording simple and respectful.
You can also include positive words to help express that the purpose of the celebration of life ceremony is to celebrate the deceased’s life and share happy life memories of that person.
Celebration of Life Announcement Wording Examples
Sometimes looking through examples of announcements can be helpful to get a better idea of what to write. Here are a few announcement wording samples to guide you in creating the announcement.
Wording Example 1
Please join us to celebrate the amazing life of Olivia Jones.
We will gather to share some of our favorite memories and favorite stories and remember the wonderful wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend who is greatly missed.
The celebration of life in honor of Olivia Jones will be held on May 21, 2021 at 2pm at Circle Oak Ranch.
Wording Example 2
We hope that you can join us in celebrating the full life of Daniel Williams and sharing stories and happy memories with us.
Dan was a dear friend, loving father and grandfather, and unforgettable brother who will be greatly missed.
The celebration of life service will be held on October 10, 2021 at 4pm at Waterfront Park. Reception with light hors d’oeuvres to follow.
Wording Example 3
Dear family and friends, please help us honor and celebrate the incredible life of Miles Anderson.
Miles always brought more joy and contagious laughter wherever he went. We would hope you can join us in sharing a funny story, favorite memory, and a few light snacks with us.
Celebration of life event in honor of Miles Anderson will be held on November 7, 2021 at 3pm at Lakeside Community Center.
Sending out the Celebration of Life Announcement
After the celebration of life announcement is created, you can share it with family and friends. The announcement can be printed on paper and sent out in the mail or can be created online and sent through email or shared on social media.
If also hosting a virtual celebration of life for your loved one, it may be a good idea to share the announcement online so that a few people who are not able to attend in person can easily access the information.
A Celebration of Life Service with Eternally Loved
At Eternally Loved, we help with all the planning and coordinating needs that go into creating a celebration of life event, so that you can focus on being fully present with family and friends and honor your loved one.
Our event planning services include a complimentary consultation to determine your memorial service needs, coordination and contracting with all service providers (venues, caterers, florists, entertainment/music, photographers/videographers, décor, hotels/transportation, and any other arrangements), and staying involved throughout the entire process to ensure a successful and memorable event.
We will also consult with you to provide announcements, invitations, releases, execution of personalized theme, memorable elements, video presentation, and general coordination.
If you are planning a celebration of life event and need assistance, please contact us for more information.
Celebration of Life Wording
Celebration of life wording is most often positive and respectful. It focuses on the joy loved ones brought to our lives and the happy memory we have of them.
Celebration of Life Announcement
A celebration of life announcement is similar to a funeral announcement but with a more light-hearted tone. The purpose of the announcement is to notify family and friends of the death of a loved one and give details of the upcoming ceremony.
What do you say in a Celebration of Life Invitation?
Celebration of life invitations should include important information such as the name of the deceased, birth date and death date of the deceased, date and time of the service, and location of the service. It can also include a picture of the person and a short description about his or her life. The celebration of life invitation wording should be positive and simple.
