A New Trend to Honor Your Loved Ones Who Have Passed
Lately, there has been a noticeable shift in the way families and friends honor a loved one who has passed away. More and more people are looking into cremation alternatives after they pass on. In California, the number of people who choose cremation is projected to increase by nearly 80% by 2030. A part of this rise in popularity can be attributed to the changing notions on how funerals are conducted, the purpose they serve, and the effect they have.
Recent shifts in social values have also influenced the increasing popularity of celebration of life ceremonies and cremation, as people seek more personalized and meaningful ways to remember loved ones.
What is a Celebration of Life Ceremony?
A celebration of life ceremony is a gathering for the grieving family and caring friends who come together to honor a person who has passed away. These ceremonies are often held close to the time of death and can be arranged by friends, family members, or clergy. They can be held at any location that you choose, ranging from a restaurant to a reception hall.
The primary purpose of a celebration of life ceremony is to allow people to bid farewell and remember the person who has passed away. Attendees can generally expect elements such as speeches, songs, prayers, and shared memories, which may be casual or formal, depending on the family’s wishes.
The ceremony focuses on honoring the unique aspects of the person’s life, and may include memories and stories that reflect their experiences, passions, and the impact they had on others. Celebrations of life are not just for funerals; they can also be held after someone dies from natural causes, such as an illness or accident.
Celebrations of Life are a fresh, unique affair, where you can reminisce about your favorite memories, share stories and toasts, and simply celebrate a life that was lived.
How is a Celebration of Life Different from a Traditional Funeral Service?
A funeral service traditionally is religious and is an opportunity for a bereaved family to honor a person’s life. Both celebrations of life, living funeral ceremonies, and traditional funeral services tend to serve as a way for families to acknowledge the passing of a loved one and say goodbye. A typical funeral follows a predictable order, unlike celebration of life events, which are more casual and can be unique and customized.
While celebrations of life are not burdened by social expectations—life celebrations can be pretty much anything you want them to be—it is crucial to understand that the event you are hosting should consider the guest’s emotional needs while being an opportunity to pay tribute to a family member.
Some families opt for a hybrid event, which combines the personalized aspects of a celebration of life with the structured elements of a traditional funeral, providing flexibility and creativity in planning.
Traditional Funerals
Funeral services have been a part of human culture for centuries and are an integral aspect of the grieving process. Funerals are also a time to celebrate the life of a loved one.
Traditional funerals are typically held in a funeral home, church, or other location chosen by the family. A pastor or a funeral director leads them. It is not uncommon to see mourners wearing black clothing or other signs of mourning, such as a veil or armband. A funeral service can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours and may include religious ceremonies, hymns, and eulogies.
The individual’s physical remains are often present at the funeral service during viewing, and are cared for through burial or cremation before a celebration of life event takes place. Usually, there will be flowers on display in honor of the deceased who has passed away.
Is a Celebration of Life Service the Same as Other Memorial Services?
A memorial service is a ceremony held to remember and honor the life of someone who has passed away. A memorial service typically includes some type of ritual or ceremony, such as a eulogy, prayers, or a reading of the deceased person’s favorite poem. The service may consist of family members and friends paying their respects to the deceased by sharing memories and discussing what they will miss most.
A celebration of life is an event that is usually informal and focuses on remembering the person’s life. The difference between a celebration of life and a memorial service is that a memorial service is a way to commemorate and remember the life of a loved one. In contrast, a celebration of life focuses on the deceased person’s life achievements.
Family and friends usually attend both. The celebration of life is more about celebrating the person’s life, their accomplishments, and sharing memories with family and friends. As life author Barbara Kingsolver reflects, storytelling is a powerful way to honor and commemorate a person’s unique experiences, making each celebration of life a deeply personal tribute.
Why Choose a Celebration of Life?
A Celebration of Life ceremony is a way to show your gratitude for a loved one’s life. Instead of dwelling on grief and sadness, which are often the focus of traditional funeral services, celebration of life ceremonies emphasize the positivity and beauty of someone’s life.
There are no strict rules for these ceremonies, so families are encouraged to let their imagination run wild and create a unique, meaningful tribute that genuinely reflects their loved one.
How Celebration of Life Ceremonies Work
Celebrations of Life can be planned weeks, months, or even years after someone has passed away. A Celebration of Life could be held on a special occasion, such as birthdays or Mother’s/Father’s Day. They can be religious or non-religious, spiritual, or non-denominational. Unlike traditional funerals, which often occur soon after a death, celebration of life ceremonies are generally held weeks or months later.
The nice thing about life celebrations is that there is not one right way to execute them. They include family, friends, coworkers, or whoever else was an essential part of the deceased person’s life. Celebrations of life can take place in various locations, such as parks, beaches, or private homes, while traditional funerals typically occur in a funeral home or a religious facility.
Celebration of Life Ideas
Celebrations of life are similar to memorial services, combining many of the activities of a traditional funeral order-of-service with the flexibility of a celebration of life event.
A life celebration can be unique, and there is no set etiquette for celebrating life. Celebrations of life can be customized to honor the unique personality characteristics of the person who has passed. It doesn’t have to be a somber affair; it can be uplifting and celebratory. Many celebrations of life encourage a relaxed dress code, allowing guests to wear colorful or themed attire, unlike the formal dress expected at funerals.
There are many different ways to celebrate a life in a way that they would have liked. Some people choose to have a memorial service. In contrast, others prefer to do something more personal and intimate, such as scattering the individual’s physical remains (ashes) at a special location, followed by a reception afterwards. Food and drink are typically at the center of the celebration of life events, reflecting the deceased’s favorites, while traditional funerals may not include this.
Some want something more celebratory and fun, such as throwing an elaborate party with live music or hosting an event where everyone shares the person’s favorite memories.
Capturing Memories: Photography and Videography at a Celebration of Life
Capturing memories through photography and videography has become an essential part of many celebration of life ceremonies, unlike a traditional funeral service, which often follows a very predictable funeral order, a life service offers more room for creativity and personalization. This flexibility allows families and caring friends to truly pay tribute to their dearly loved one in a way that reflects their unique personality and life story.
A celebration of life service is not just about saying goodbye—it’s about celebrating life, sharing memories, and honoring the positive aspects of a person’s life. By incorporating photography and videography into the life ceremony, families can preserve the special moments, heartfelt tributes, and joyful interactions that make these events so meaningful. Whether it’s capturing a touching eulogy, candid moments between family members, or the laughter sparked by a favorite personal story, these images and videos become cherished keepsakes for the grieving family.
When planning a celebration of life, consider hiring a professional photographer or videographer who understands the unique nature of life celebrations. A funeral director or funeral celebrant can help guide this process, ensuring that the event is a remarkable celebration that truly honors the loved one. From documenting the ceremony itself to capturing the details of a memory table or a video slideshow, professionals can help tell the story of the individual’s life in a way that traditional funeral services may not. Eternally Loved makes this easy for families they work with by creating the exact visuals they want during the service.
Photography and videography can also play a key role in hybrid events, allowing those who cannot attend in person to share in the experience and pay tribute from afar. These visual memories can be incorporated into future memorial services, shared with co-workers and friends, or kept as a private reminder of the love and support that surrounded the family during this time.
Ultimately, the goal of capturing memories at a celebration of life ceremony is to create a lasting tribute that brings comfort and healing to the bereaved family and their caring friends. By preserving the moments that matter most, families can continue to celebrate the life, personality characteristics, and legacy of their loved one for years to come.
What is a Celebration of Life or Funeral Celebrant?
A celebration of life or funeral celebrant is an experienced person who can work with families to create a personalized memorial tailored to the lifestyle, beliefs, and preferences of the family’s loved one. They know the right way to help plan a gathering that will publicly acknowledge the grief and love the surviving family has for the unique life of their loved one who has passed.
A funeral celebrant will guide you through the entire planning process and assist you in creating a personalized service. There are many things to consider, such as the dress code, location, and decorations, and they are well-versed in proper celebration of life etiquette.
Planning a Celebration of Life with Eternally Loved
Eternally Loved offers event planning services to commemorate the life of a loved one. We will coordinate a meaningful Celebration of Life ceremony for you and your family, handling all the details and giving you the space to grieve and deal with your loss without any added stress.
- Venue
- Catering
- Music
- Décor
- Programs
- Memorial Items
- Videos
- Memory Boards
You can be involved as much or as little as you’d prefer. With help from Eternally Loved, you’ll be able to focus on what matters during your tough time—the life and impact of your loved one.